News

"Speculation is rife in political circles over who Stephen Harper will elevate to the Senate of Canada, now that he has abandoned the principle of only appointing people selected by citizens in provincial senatorial votes," The Globe writes in this editorial . "Will Mr. Harper use his powers to try to discredit an institution he considers illegitimate? Or will he select outstanding candidates who could enrich the country through their public service, but thereby work against his reform agenda by enriching the reputation of the Senate itself? If Mr. Harper is looking for an example to emulate, he need look no further than his Liberal predecessors, Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin.

"Both Liberal prime ministers followed the usual practice of prime ministers, regardless of their political persuasion, by loading the Senate up with patronage appointees. Mr. Chrétien, however, innovated by seeming to prefer people who would spend several years in the Senate, but not decades, selecting some who were surprising close to the mandatory retirement age of 75. This would be a way for Mr. Harper to effectively establish term limits without requiring reform legislation.

"Mr. Harper could then also adapt the example of Mr. Martin, whose stated goal was to appoint the best people possible, and if that objective was not entirely accomplished, his appointments were of a higher calibre than the norm. He also appointed several from the ranks of his political opposition, including the eminently qualified Hugh Segal and Elaine McCoy, a former Alberta Tory cabinet minister, who was appointed as a Progressive Conservative. A New Democrat was also appointed, although the abolitionist NDP caucus asked her to sit as an independent. Mr. Martin's Liberal picks included Roméo Dallaire."

Blogger Robert Silver, meanwhile, notes that speculation on who will be named to the Red Chamber has become Ottawa's favourtie pastime .

"This issue is more than mere gossip now that Michael Ignatieff is the Liberal leader in Ottawa. Ignatieff has broad and wide support both within the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada as well as within Jean Charest's party," he writes.

"... Harper thus has a choice: does he further align himself with a now deeply wounded ADQ that is no longer an official party in Quebec City and may not exist after the next Quebec election, or does he try to compete with Ignatieff for the affection of Jean Charest's political operatives."

Even national affairs columnist Jeffrey Simpson's Uncle Fred , from Gabriola Island, wants in.

"Harper's going to swamp the Senate with Conservative worthies, and I want my seat," he says.

"Fred, what have you ever done for the Conservative Party?," Mr. Simpson asks.

"My motto has always been: Ask not what you have done for the party but what the party can do for you."

"I think you have that backward, Fred."

"Not at all. The party can make me a senator. Once in the Senate, you are expected to do nothing, say little, seek obscurity, glorify the prime minister, vote as often as necessary, but always in support of your party. These duties I will faithfully execute with all the powers at my command."

So, as Mr. Harper makes a list and checks it twice before fulfilling his pledge to name 18 new senators by Christmas, we at globeandmail.com want to pass on your advice to the Prime Minister.

Submit the name of one worthy Canadian and the reasons why you think he or she deserves to sit in the Red Chamber. We'll compile the best nominations and publish the first batch at the bottom of this page in the coming days.

Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each submission. They may be edited for length or clarity. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish any that include personal attacks, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or any that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.