With all the noise surrounding the so-called house of sober second thought, specifically the suspensions of three Conservative senators, and the recent challenges to its existence in the Supreme Court, it's time to take this opportunity to change the face of Canadian politics.
Something needs to be done with the Canadian Senate. Whether that's reform or abolition, changes must be made.
Ironically, the discussion surrounding senate reform was re-ignited more than seven years ago by Stephen Harper, espousing the idea of having elected senators, while on the campaign trail, prior to his first election.
Once elected, Prime Minister Harper did nothing to reform the senate and shut down debate surrounding the idea. Over the next seven years, he appointed 59 un-elected Conservative senators.
Though debate surrounding the senate may have been quelled in the minds of federal officials, three of those Conservative senators appointed by Harper and one now retired former Liberal senator would go on to again re-ignite the debate over senate reform and its possible abolition.
The now-suspended senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazzeau and retired former senator Mac Harb were all implicated in an expense scandal that has them accused of illegally claiming travel and living expenses they were not entitled to.
Though the mere fact supposedly competent men and women tasked with considering complex bills and national issues can improperly claim funds should raise a red flag regarding accountability in the senate, it was the events following the exposure of the scandal that turned up the heat on both the existence of the senate and the responsibility and accountability of Prime Minister Harper.
It was Harpers former chief of staff Nigel Wright that gave Duffy a cheque for $90,172 to cover his over-claimed expenses, allegedly without the knowledge of anyone in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Duffy alleges others knew of the cheque, and it was provided to keep him quiet and continue doing the Conservative party's work in the senate.
Since neither Harper, nor the accused senators or anyone from the PMO have yet to testify in court, the allegations continue to come in from all sides, which only encourages a more cynical public perception regarding the senate and its connections to the PMO.
Canadians have never been known to flood the polls or be too active politically, however, reports have stated at times more than 75 per cent of Canadians have been paying attention to the senate and its latest scandals.
Perhaps, while the topic's top of mind for so many Canadians, the time has come to finally have a national discussion and make truly forward-thinking decision regarding the senate that will benefit all Canadians, not just a few in the out-dated upper house.
