Appointments will fuel backlash against Senate

The Montreal Gazette:

Ottawa — Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to appoint to the Senate three failed Conservative candidates — including two senators who quit to run in the election — is reaping growing calls to abolish the upper house since, critics say, it now appears the Tories can’t be trusted to reform the chamber.

Members of all political parties, including a sitting Conservative senator, told Postmedia News they feel the credibility of the Senate is now in disrepute after Harper announced he would re-appoint: a senator, Fabian Manning, who has twice failed to be elected as a member of Parliament in Newfoundland and Labrador; and another senator, Larry Smith, who resigned to run for Parliament in Montreal; and appoint defeated cabinet minister Josee Verner, who was unable to hang on to her seat in Quebec City.

Continue reading here.