(http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/09/stephen-harper-reflects-on-canadas-first-prime-minister-sir-john-a-macdonald/)However, Parliament’s Junior Version of FAQs on the Senate states: "Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, called the Senate a place of "sober second thought." (http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Senate/FAQJuniorVersion/brochure-e.htm)In ironic contrast, the current Senate, as reshaped by Harper, is no longer performing this constitutional function. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/senators-to-vote-on-conservatives-union-bill-despite-error-in-legislation/article22102064/)The Senate had earlier sent this error-ridden Bill back to the House of Commons the first time it was presented. Sent back to them by the Conservative majority a second time with continuing errors, the Harper-appointed Senate majority passed it and later, for the first time, legislated limited debate in the Senate on certain bills. He errs, ironically, because he has altered the Senate from the place of "sober second thought" of Sir John A. Macdonald to an extension of the will of the prime minister of the day.

Source: National Post February 26, 2024 10:36 UTC