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February 22, 2006—An open letter to the Premiers of Canada: As Senators-elect for Alberta, we are appealing to premiers in all provinces to accept the challenge of the new Harper government to move Canada to a provincially-elected Senate. The Conservatives have pledged to appoint elected Senate candidates in provinces which establish an election process. Given the minority status of the Harper government in Parliament, provincial governments should hold provincial Senate elections as soon as possible, to enable the Prime Minister to establish the new principle. Because senators represent provinces in Parliament, provincial governments and political parties should decide the details of the democratic process, which will help keep senators more accountable. For years, opinion polls have shown over 80% of Canadians support this overdue reform. It is truly astonishing for any country in the 21st century to assign political representation to unelected, unaccountable political insiders appointed to sit in Parliament until age 75. Signed, |