Harper to initiate reforms to elect senators and set fixed election dates

December 14, 2005

Conservatives will also reform process for nominating candidates

VANCOUVER– Conservative leader Stephen Harper today announced that a new Conservative government will introduce a process for electing senators, establish a four-year election date cycle, and clean up the process for nominating federal election candidates.

“We need sweeping reforms to show Canadians that their federal government will not tolerate corruption,” Harper said. “Cleaning up corruption and restoring accountability is the first step. We also need to vigorously pursue other measures to put Canada back in the forefront of democratic practice.”

The Conservative plan for democratic reform includes:

• Establishing a federal process for electing senators. Currently the Prime Minister holds a virtually free hand in the selection of senators.

• Introducing legislation modeled on the British Columbia law requiring fixed election dates every four years, except when a government loses the confidence of the House of Commons.

• Ending “parachute” candidacies by requiring that a party’s candidate have the approval of the local constituency association.

“The choice Canadians face on January 23rd is between a practical Conservative plan to revitalize democracy, and a Liberal pattern of dithering and inaction,” said Harper.

-30-