Today the B.C. government tabled an exposure bill about reforming the Senate, honouring a commitment the Province made to consider Senate reform.

The purpose of the bill is to generate discussion about Senate reform and, in particular, to show how Senate nominee elections could be conducted in B.C. Government does not intend to pass the bill this legislative session.

Senate nominee elections would provide an opportunity for British Columbians to influence who represents their interests in the Senate. This legislation provides the legal framework for conducting Senate nominee elections, which could be held to nominate individuals to fill B.C.'s vacancies in the Senate as they arise.

Elections BC, an independent office of the legislature, would be in charge of administering the senate nominee elections. The winner of each B.C. Senate nominee election would then be recommended to the prime minister, who ultimately advises the Governor General of Canada on who should be appointed as a Senator. While the results of a senate nominee election cannot be made binding on the Governor General, they would provide an important vehicle for British Columbians to provide direct input into that appointment.

Under the new act, Senate nominee elections could be held in a variety of ways. A provincewide vote could be conducted either by in-person voting or mail-in ballot. The vote could be held either in conjunction with a provincial election or as a stand-alone event.

Quotes:

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"Today we honour our commitment to table a bill that would outline for British Columbians what Senate nominee elections would look like in our province and generate discussion about Senate reform."

"The act outlines a number of options for how senate nominee elections can be held, but I want to be clear that our government does not intend to pass the act this legislative session, and will not be attaching a senate nominee election to the upcoming provincial election in May."

"This exposure bill will provide British Columbians with the opportunity to look at the proposed legal framework for Senate nominee elections in our province. Other jurisdictions - Alberta and Saskatchewan - have created similar legislation."

Media Contact:

James Beresford
Communications
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6423
778 679-8646 (cell)