Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall believes it’s up to Canadians to speak out on what they want to see happen in terms of Senate reform.
“I think it might be time for Canadians to weigh in on this particular issue,” Wall said in an interview with CTV Question Period.
In the past, Wall has advocated for abolishing the Senate. This past fall, however, his Saskatchewan Party decided to continue with the policy of electing senators for the prime minister’s consideration.
As it stands now, Wall said, provincial governments are doing a better job of regional representation than the Senate and are “actually providing that check and balance against the House of Commons.”
Wall said the West has wanted an elected senate that is proportionally representative of each province, known as a Triple-E Senate.
“I’m wondering frankly, whether or not we have it on a de facto basis because of the devolution of our federation, because of the strength that … exists in the provincial capitals,” he said.
When asked about audit of Saskatchewan Sen. Pamela Wallin’s travel expenses, Wall said “I don’t know about the detail of expenses -- that needs to be resolved.”
But he said Wallin is a clear and regular presence in the province.
“Sen. Wallin is in Saskatchewan, not just in and around her home Wadena, but in the capital and in Saskatoon at various functions,” he said.
CTV News’ Chief Political Correspondent Craig Oliver said that given the recent stories of investigations into Senate expenses, there now appears to be an “increasing mood” that abolishing the Senate is the way to go.
“I think the prime minister see that himself now,” Oliver said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s has asked the Supreme Court for an expedited decision on a number of potential Senate reforms.
