Since Canada’s earliest days, the Senate has played an important role in the business of Canadian lawmaking – that of reviewing and sometimes revising legislation put forward by the House of Commons.

If you’ve ever been to Parliament Hill or watched Senate proceedings on television, you know that one only has to enter the Senate chamber to feel its significance. Every elaborately appointed decoration, from its gold ceiling and colossal bronze chandeliers to its exquisitely carved stonework and plush red carpet, speaks of a place of high esteem.

The Senate is often referred to as a “chamber of sober, second thought.” Sadly, in the last few months Canadians themselves have likely spent more sober – and negative – thought on the Senate than in the last decade – or longer.

Over my almost two decades in Ottawa, I’ve become well acquainted with many of Canada’s Senators and their work, both in Canada and outside our borders. Despite the fact that the Reform Party, which I originally was a part of, hoped to reform the Senate, I have great respect for many of our Senators. 

Nevertheless, the problems “that Other House” has had of late – also distress me. I’d like to believe that Senators serve with integrity, but because people and circumstances change, and abuse has taken place, I understand the necessity for firmer oversight of Senate travel and expenses.
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The changes the Conservative Senators proposed and the chamber has passed will make the Senate more transparent and accountable to Canadian taxpayers. They include:

• removing the assumption that a Senator is presumed to act honourably when claiming expenses;
• requiring a Senator to provide a detailed purpose for travel;
• restricting international travel;
• requiring Senators to produce mileage logs and taxi receipts for claims;
• restricting access to per diems; and
• restricting the number of trips not between Ottawa and a Senator’s home province.

Many Canadians and parliamentarians would like to see the Senate abolished. But our Constitution requires the consent of every province. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, our government has already passed the toughest accountability legislation in the history of the country, the Federal Accountability Act. In 2010, the government also strengthened accountability in the Senate by requiring Senators to publicly report their expenses quarterly.

While I wish the recent events hadn’t happened, only time will reveal the truth of this sober Senate story. Meanwhile, I encourage every Canadian to look beyond this and see the wonderful Canadian story of a great, blessed, strong and thriving country.

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The audio version of Garry's July 8, 2013 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here