Monday, December 22, 2008 12:39 PM
The Senate appointments are good news
nspector
With the Commons prorogued, one would have hoped that the Governor-General would have nixed today's senate appointments until Prime Minister Stephen Harper clearly demonstrated that he had the confidence of the House. And it's hard not to gag at today's outpouring of patronage. Nor are the senate appointments any easier to swallow knowing that the Liberals were just as seamy when they were in power and likely will be again when they next form government.
That said, by making these appointments, Mr. Harper is acknowledging that he will not be able to achieve a Triple-E senate — Alberta's constitutional hobby horse for more than two decades. Another piece of Reform Party baggage bites the dust. For Canada, that's excellent news.
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UPDATE
Karine Fortin, of the French service of Canadian Press, reports tonight:
The 18 names have been sent to the Governor-General, who will have to confirm their appointment to the senate when it returns from its break in January.