In truth I agree with Ontario Conservative Sen. Hugh Segal’s referendum question…. as far as it goes anyway, too bad he’s too chickensh*t to ask the hard one.

“Whereas the Canadian public has never been consulted on the structure of its government (Crown, Senate, and House of Commons), …..

An obvious truth, Canadians have never been consulted on the structure of our government, and I, for one, think it’s high time we were.

….. and whereas there has never been a clear and precise expression by the Canadian public on the legitimacy of the Upper House since the constitutional agreement establishing its existence and whereas a clear and concise opinion might be obtained by putting the question directly to the electors by means of a referendum, that the Senate urge the Governor in Council to obtain by means of a referendum, pursuant to Sec. 3 of the Referendum Act, the opinion of the electors of Canada on whether the Senate should be abolished and that a message be sent to the House of Commons requesting that the House to unite with the Senate for the above purpose.”

Wait a minute, what happened to the “Crown” and “House of Commons” bits?

How come if we’ve never been consulted about the structure of our governemnt (Crown, Senate, and House of Commons) he only wants to ask about the part that is currently giving the government of the day grief?

What about that part of the structure of our government that gives us the most grief?

Has there ever been a clear and precise expression by the Canadian public on the legitimacy of the House of Commons?

Might not a clear and concise opinion be obtained by also putting that question directly to the electors by means of a referendum?

Might not a clear and precise opinion on how that chamber conducts itself and its’ business be obtained by putting that question directly to the electors by means of a referendum?

I’d vote to abolish them both and, before anyone asks, replace them with a real democracy - who knows, it might even work.