Stephen McNeil offers conditional support to abolishing Senate
Premier says if Senate abolished, N.S. would need additional representation in the House of Commons
The federal NDP leader shouldn't count on Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil's support to abolish the senate, unless Nova Scotia receives additional support in the House of Commons.
Tom Mulcair is seeking provincial support as he eyes abolishing the Senate. On Wednesday he vowed to watch the Upper Chamber, the subject of an auditor general report this week that detailed nearly $1 million in questionable expenses claimed by current and former senators.
Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that would require the consent of all 10 provinces.
That's not something McNeil is prepared to do.
"You can't just outright abolish the Senate and not look at what are you going do for smaller provinces to ensure that we get a larger voice," he said.
McNeil says Nova Scotia's power in the Senate is not something that should be relinquished without some sort of offsetting measure despite the anger over the expenses of some senators.