Alberta Premier Alison Redford, clockwise from bottom left, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, New Brunswick Premier David Alward, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale, and Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski pepare to begin a morning meeting as they gather for the Council of the Federation summer meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Thursday, July 25, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett
July 26, 2013 - 7:20 AM
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. - Saskatchewan's efforts to convince the other provinces and territories to abolish the Senate don't seem to be gaining much traction at the premiers' conference in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, a vocal opponent of the upper house, presented his case to his 12 provincial and territorial counterparts today.
But Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who's hosting the summit, says there was no more discussion about the Senate in the morning meeting.
She says it's something the federal government is dealing with and as a constitutional matter, has been referred to the courts.
Wynne says it's not top of mind for people in Ontario, despite the expense scandals that have engulfed Ottawa.
She says the bad behaviour of certain individuals shouldn't be driving a broader constitutional debate about the Senate.
During the premier's meeting, one of the leaders — not Wynne — quipped: "We shouldn't abolish the Senate, we should abolish Mike Duffy."
Duffy is one of the senators who has been mired in controversy over improper expenses.
The RCMP is currently investigating the involvement of Nigel Wright, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former chief of staff, in giving Duffy $90,000 to enable him to reimburse the Senate for improperly claimed living expenses. Wright resigned after admitting he gave Duffy the money.
Harper has insisted Wright did not tell him about the "gift" until after news of it leaked out.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013