House of Commons Votes to Send the Senate Appointment Consultations Act (C-20) to Committee

February 14, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa - Today, the House of Commons voted to send the Senate Appointment Consultations Act (C-20) to committee before second reading.

“The government applauds the decision by the House of Commons to send the Senate Appointment Consultations Act to committee,” said Peter Van Loan, Minister for Democratic Reform. “The Senate must change and our Government is committed to leading that change.”

In a serious effort to create a modern, accountable Senate the federal government asked the House of Commons to send the Bill to committee before 2nd reading to allow the broadest possible input from the opposition parties. The Bill will be sent to a special legislative committee.

The Senate Appointment Consultations Act creates a popular consultation process to allow Canadians to have a direct say in who represents them in the Senate.

For more information, visit www.democraticreform.gc.ca.

For information, contact:
Michael White
Communications Assistant
Office of the Government House Leader
(613) 952-4930