Quips & Quirks

Fixed Election Dates

Senator Murray: The Prime Minister has demonstrated beyond any possibility of doubt that the law is a nullity, that it is meaningless ...  Therefore, let us redeem ourselves and him by removing this embarrassment from the statute books of our country. [January 29, 2009 Senate Debates]

Anyone listening out there?  Well, yes, the courts ….

Senator Baker: Having spent 29 years in the House of Commons, I know well that the House is a place of politics, not law-making. The Senate is a place of law-making … Our courts and our lawyers go to the Senate to find out what the proposed legislation means … and, at times, what is wrong with the law and the defences that are available under legislation. [February 27, 2008 Senate Debates]

Democracy in [in]action …

Senator Murray: I do not know how many in this place turn for lighter reading to the Debates of the House of Commons, however, … yesterday, two bills … passed through all stages in considerably less than 30 seconds each. … Honourable senators, these are the people who are trying to instruct the Senate in the proper functioning of parliamentary democracy. Oh, God; Oh, Canada! [February 14, 2008 Senate Debates]

On the subject of senatorial independence …

Senator Segal:  ... when your leadership asks you to take on a task, you do it, and do it happily.  [October 30, 2007 Senate Debates]