NDP Leader Mike Redmond wants Senate abolished
During his last few days of campaigning to be elected to the Prince Edward Island legislature, NDP Leader Mike Redmond says he will work to abolish the Senate and make changes to the number of MLAs elected.
Redmond made the remarks at an announcement in Montague Friday.
"We want to move on from the senate," said Redmond. "We want to abolish it altogether."
Redmond said former P.E.I. senator Mike Duffy has been an embarrassment to the province and it's time to move on.
Redmond was joined by federal NDP Deputy Leader Megan Leslie for the announcement and some road-side rallying. The Nova Scotia MP said a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision says in order to abolish the senate, the federal government has to work with the provinces.
"At the federal level what we really need is a partner, a provincial partner to sit down at the table and talk about this. That is the first step." said Leslie.
Redmond said he also wants to see the number of MLAs elected to the P.E.I. legislature reduced.
"We have said for a long time the number has to be decreased," said Redmond.
Currently, 27 MLAs are elected to serve in the legislature. Redmond said an NDP government would reduce that number.
The NDP leader also wants to discontinue the practice of MLAs receiving pensions after serving for five years.
Redmond said civil servants and others must work 25 years or more to receive a pension.
"We want to do away with severance pay for MLAs," he added. "We want to do away with pay for committee work that they give themselves."
