Senators Urged to Support Term Limits

Premier Rodney MacDonald has urged Nova Scotia's senators to support a bill that would limit the length of time anyone can serve in the Senate.

Under the proposed legislation, S-4, senators would be restricted to terms of no longer than eight years. They currently can serve until mandatory retirement at 75 years of age.

"Our government believes S-4 addresses one of the fundamental reasons the Senate lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the public," the premier said in a letter issued today, Oct. 12, to the province's senators. "By invoking a term limit, we would help to ensure the Senate experiences a regular renewal of ideas and perspectives, helping to restore credibility to an essential component of government."

While S-4 does not address the issue of selection of senators, the premier noted that his government's preferred method is through an election process.

"Elections are open and transparent. Elections enable voters to have their say on the merits of the candidates," the premier said. "While my government believes that responsibility should sit with the federal government, as have the appointments to the Senate, I would welcome elections to fill the vacancies in Nova Scotia if the prime minister chooses to go that route."