HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil says he is willing to discuss changes to the Senate as long as the changes don't have a negative impact on his province's representation in Ottawa.
McNeil says if the Senate were abolished, Nova Scotia would need more representation in the House of Commons.
He says small provinces like Nova Scotia are protected by their Senate representation, so any changes to the chamber would need to include a measure to ensure that protection does not change.
"When the country was founded there was a reason why small provinces were protected in the second chamber," McNeil told reporters Thursday.
"We want to make sure ... that the founding fathers' intentions are reflected in any changes that take place."
Nova Scotia is currently allotted 10 of 105 seats in the Senate.
Federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has called for the Senate to be abolished -- a move that would require unanimous provincial consent.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Philippe Couillard of Quebec have expressed their opposition to abolishing the Senate.
