Senate abolition debated in the House of Commons

It has no chance of passing, but the New Democrats have introduced a motion in Parliament, in their attempt to abolish the Senate.

The NDP released this statement on Monday afternoon:

Again, the non-binding motion, which is expected to be voted on Tuesday night, is not going to pass; the majority Harper government has continuously said that they intend to reform, not abolish, the senate.

But it's another means for which the NDP can score some points with an increasingly cynical public frustrated with senate expense controversies and scandals.

[ Related: It's time for senators to show us their receipts ]

"We’re starting now to explain exactly what we’re going to do, which is to work with the provinces and territories to abolish the unelected, unaccountable, and unapologetic Senate, and we’re not going to change our point of view," NDP leader Thomas Mulcair told Postmedia News on Monday.

"We know that the Conservatives have talked one game with regard to the Senate and done something entirely different. They said they wouldn't name senators; they've packed the place with Tory bag men. We know the Liberals think the only problem with the Senate is that there are not enough Liberals in the Senate."

For their part, the Conservatives are seeking clarification from the Supreme Court on what is required to reform the Senate and what is required to abolish the Senate.

[ More Political Points: NDP launches attack against Harper Conservatives in Quebec ]

According to the Hill Times, the federal government has asked the Court to fast-track the question. Even if it is fast-tracked, don't expect the SC's final opinion until the second-half of 2014 or even later.

(Photo: Courtesy of Reuters)

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