Western premiers slam Senate over crime bill

The premiers of Canada's Western provinces are upset with the Senate. The premiers of Manitoba, Sakatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia took time this week to air their concerns, and three of them (the premiers of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) did so by issuing a joint press release Friday. The issue lies in the Senate's delay of a crime bill aimed at disallowing criminals from claiming double-time against their sentences for time spent in municipal jails. The bill is being delayed by a series of amendments proposed by liberal senators who feel the bill is too harsh and the resulting decision of conservative senators to avoid voting on the bill. The premiers were also quick to take the opportunity to comment on the validity of the senate. B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said “The amendments proposed by this unelected Senate water down the strength of Bill C-25." and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall went even further saying "If a constitutional amendment's not possible, then other alternatives — like not having a Senate — I think have to be front and centre."

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/10/09/sk-premier-wall-senate-reform.html