Throne Speech Anticipated to Make Little Mention of Upper Chamber

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Sources have confirmed that the much awaited throne speech to be read by Governor General David Johnston on Wednesday, which is expected to be a high point for the Parliament as it returns after spring break, will make little mention of the highly shamed Senate. Still, the speech to be read from a regal throne in the ornate upper chamber will still address the issue of reforming the scandal-plagued Senate.

The speech is anticipated to conclude that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government can do very little in reforming the unelected Senate until the Supreme Court clarifies the ambiguities regarding the constitutional requirements to reform or abolish the chamber, which could take a year or more. Hence, the speech will narrate that any plans to make reforms to the upper house will be temporarily kept on hold.

The anticipated silence in throne speech over the important issue of senate reformation has come at a time when the Senate expenses scandal has remained in the limelight for the complete past year and shows no sign of going away any time soon. The RCMP is currently investigating allegations of fraudulent living and travel expenses claimed by four senators, including former Conservative caucus members Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and Pamela Wallin and former Liberal Mac Harb. Additionally, Duffy is being further investigated by the Mounties for accepting $90,000 from Harper’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, in order to reimburse the Senate for his dubious expense claims.