Saskatchewan premier restates call to abolish Senate

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says people in his party, himself included, want to take another look at abolishing the senate.

The Saskatchewan Party's official policy supports maintaining the red chamber, but reforming it by electing senators.

Wall has said before that he personally supports abolishing the senate, and he reiterated that view Friday.

But he also said in the last week three Saskatchewan Party constituency associations said they want the party to change its policy and get behind abolition.

"We could possibly save a lot of money and a lot of time and oxygen — based on what we've seen in the last little while — were there not a senate," Wall said.

And while abolition wouldn't be easy, it's probably more doable than reform, he said.

And it would be tough for senators to vote against Senate abolition if that was will of Canada, he said.

Senators are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.

Wall made his comments in Saskatoon at the end of a wild week in Ottawa that put the spotlight on Sen. Mike Duffy's expenses and a $90,000 cheque he received from the PMO's chief of staff to repay some of the money.

Three other senators — Pamela Wallin, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau — have also had their expenses come under official scrutiny.