OPINION: The Senate Should Do Its Job – and Respect Canadian Voters

Dire predictions that the creation of a more independent Canadian Senate would inevitably lead to a clash with the democratic will of the people have, so far, been largely exaggerated.

But a controversial bill that regulates oil tanker traffic on British Columbia’s northern coast threatens to test this assertion. Should senators go too far and kill Bill C-48 – a result for which some have lobbied – the fragile but growing credibility being built within the upper chamber could be put at risk.

Given the general mood of voters these days, I doubt Canadians will be happy with an unelected group of legislators scuttling a bill that was part of the duly elected government’s 2015 election campaign. The possibility that this bill could be voted down has already triggered criticisms of imperious behaviour and lack of accountability. Killing it will provide critics with the opportunity to utter a great big “I told you so.”

The proposed bill has been the subject of intense cross-country lobbying not seen in years. Many in the energy-producing provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan despise the bill, and political leaders such as Premiers Jason Kenney of Alberta and Scott Moe of Saskatchewan have lobbied the Senate to make sure it dies. But the Senate as the agent of death weakens their cause. The Senate as the proponent of modifications makes far more sense. There was a reason Mr. Kenney was part of a government that campaigned for an elected Senate. Was he of one belief then and of another now?

This “kill the bill” effort took a step forward last week when the Senate’s committee on transport and communication voted to recommend that the Senate not proceed with the legislation.

This is a rare occurrence, and the committee’s decision can be overturned by the Senate itself. I hope it is. The mere fact that the Senate is threatening to kill a government bill passed by elected MPs skates too close to the capricious anti-democratic edge.

Click here to read the full column on the Globe and Mail’s website.