"...a mandate from the people."
Conservative Party website during 2006 election
http://www.liberalalberta.ca/story_16230_e.aspx"We don't support any Senate appointments."
(Stephen Harper, Winnipeg Free Press, January 29, 1996)
"As everyone in this room knows, it has become a right of passage for aspiring leaders and prime ministers to promise Senate reform - on their way to the top - but once they are elected, Senate reform quickly falls to the bottom of the Government's agenda. Nothing ever gets done."
(Stephen Harper, Speech on Senate Reform before Senate Committee, September 7, 2006)
"I don't plan to appoint senators; that's not my intention."
(Stephen Harper, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder, January 14, 2006)
"Stephen Harper will cease patronage appointments to the Senate. Only candidates elected by the people will be named to the Upper House."
(Stephen Harper Leadership Website, January 15, 2004)
"I challenge Mr. Martin, once he becomes Prime Minister, to turn a page on the past, and appoint only elected Senators to the Upper House."
(Stephen Harper, Canadian Alliance Press Release, July 4, 2003)
"Canadians from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia remain ashamed of Canada`s senior legislative body. They are ashamed the Prime Minister continues the disgraceful, undemocratic appointment of undemocratic Liberals to the undemocratic Senate to pass all too often undemocratic legislation."
(Stephen Harper, Hansard, March 7, 1996)
http://xtremeleafan.blogspot.com/2009/08/canadas-patronage-king.html