Preston Manning Responds to Supreme Court Decision Regarding the Canadian Senate

CALGARY, April 26, 2014 /CNW/ - The Supreme Court's decision on the Senate Reference case - denying the federal government the right to proceed unilaterally with even modest Senate reforms - is regrettable on two counts:

(1)  It puts meaningful Senate reform on the back burner at a time when there is obvious, majority support among the public for making fundamental changes to the Upper House.

(2)  It is yet a further indication that the 1980 Constitution Act and its amending formula - which were supposed to give Canada an increased ability to amend its own constitution and democratic institutions - is becoming a straightjacket, locking our constitutional and institutional development into outmoded models and concepts no longer relevant in the 21st century.

Unlocking that straightjacket will require fundamental constitutional reform - something that no federal or provincial leader will currently want to touch - but which a future generation of leaders will  increasingly be obliged to address.

Votes continue to be recorded for Senate abolition, reform or status-quo at www.reformorabolish.ca

Please note that Preston Manning is out of the country and not immediately available for further comment.

SOURCE: Manning Foundation for Democratic Education

Morten Paulsen
403.399.3377
[email protected]