The NDP is committed to abolishing the Senate despite a lengthy process, constitutional hurdles, and uncertain odds.
"There's no doubt in the 2015 campaign we'll be campaigning, as we always have, on pushing the idea that an unelected upper chamber is something that is part of our past, not part of our future," Peter Julian told iPolitics.
At a press conference Wednesday, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair told reporters that he would "absolutely not" appoint Senators if he became prime minister.
But Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia says Mulcair and his party are getting ahead of themselves.
"He's not about to be in the position to be making the decisions," said Scarpaleggia after Question Period Thursday.
The Liberal M.P. says he doubts what action Mulcair would take if he were in that position, but says that refusing to appoint senators is "not particularly responsible"
"The answer is not to empty the place, but to make excellent appointments," he added. A leader in that situation, says Scarpaleggia, should make the best appointments possible, with the help of a vetting procedure, until reform is possible.
Constitutionally there would be nothing forcing Mulcair to appoint individuals to the Red Chamber, if he becomes the next prime minister. However, University of Ottawa Professor Errol Mendes said there are many unwritten rules that could get a leader into "constitutional trouble."
"If no senators are appointed from the Atlantic provinces or indeed other regions of the country, the unwritten principles relating to federalism and minorities enunciated by the Supreme Court in the Quebec Secession Reference could be triggered to prevent the closing down of the Senate."
Since Harper was elected in 2007, 53 senators have been appointed. Starving the Senate, or refusing to fill vacancies as they become available, could delay or halt the government's ability to pass legislation. But Julian said he doubts opposition senators would gang-up up on them, and prevent work from getting done.
"I would expect that senators would understand that there is a tide of public opinion running against them because of the scandals we've seen over the last few weeks and the fact that Canadians implicitly understand that an undemocratic nominated upper chamber that is inhabited by partisan nominations is not appropriate for a vigorous democracy that we want to have in this country."
The Conservatives and Liberals struck down a non-binding NDP motion Wednesday night to begin negotiations with the provinces. The motion was defeated 186-101.
NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian issued the following statement:
"It has come to our attention that a consultant for a federally funded anti-racism project has a disturbing track record of spewing hate speech online against Jewish and francophone communities. This is completely unacceptable. We call on the Minister of Heritage to take drastic action and terminate his contract.
NDP Heritage Critic Peter Julian issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by Hockey Canada is another attempt to delay the important and urgent work to deal with the toxic culture in this organization. While a former Supreme Court Justice is a credible appointment to conduct the review into Hockey Canada, this won’t be the first time the organization undergoes this process.
NDP critic for Canadian Heritage, Peter Julian, made the following statement:
“Canadians are horrified by the incidents of sexual assault and by what they’re hearing from Hockey Canada. They are left with many questions about how this toxic culture is allowed to persist in our sports organizations and what the government is actually doing to ensure this doesn’t happen again.