A very wise person once said history repeats itself.
After watching this year's debate I was reminded of that when one of the questions put to the prime minister was about appointments to the Senate. Prior to 2006, PM Harper maintained that he would not appoint new people to the Senate that were not elected. Since 2006, he has appointed 59 Senators. The vast majority were from the Conservative ranks.
In the 1984 debate between Prime Minister John Turner, who had taken over from Pierre Trudeau, and soon-to-be Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, one of the question that was asked was about appointments. Turner said he had to carry out these appointments. Mulroney's response was that he did not have to do that.
Many media say his famous "you had an option, sir" answer won the Conservatives the election.
During this year's Maclean's debate, another question asked had to do with a environmental bill that was killed by the Conservatives in the Senate by pressure from the Prime Minister's Office.
This bill had already been debated and passed through Parliament. Why should an unelected body kill a bill that has passed debate in the peoples house?
Stan New, Prince George
