Opinion

Who Will Be Next BC Senators?

Harper's short list ranges from Wai Young and John Reynolds to Jerry Lampert and Tung Chang.

By Will McMartin, 17 Dec 2008, TheTyee.ca

Stephen Harper with cat

And maybe he'll toss in a kitty.

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Santa Claus, in the form of Stephen Harper, is expected to deliver a special gift to three lucky British Columbians sometime in the next few weeks. The Conservative prime minister plans to quickly fill 18 vacancies in Canada's Senate, and three of those open seats are for B.C.

Who might be those three lucky individuals?

History suggests that former politicians will be among those considered for appointment. Of the 41 British Columbians named as senators since 1871, more than half -- 21 -- were former members of parliament. At least three more previously had served in B.C.'s legislative assembly, and another two had been mayors.

Many of the other appointees either stood (unsuccessfully) for public office, or worked in the backrooms as fundraisers, organizers or strategists.

Outside of politics, lawyers, business people and journalists have been favoured in the past.

Two aboriginal leaders in B.C. also garnered senate appointments, but to date just one person from the province's fast-growing visible-minority population has been awarded the honour. The number of B.C. women named to the red chamber is a paltry four.

So, to repeat, who among B.C.'s 4.3 million residents will Harper select for senate appointments this Christmas season?

Three characteristics appear necessary. First, it seems near certain that one or more appointees will be a woman. Second, at least one likely will be a visible minority. Third, favoured candidates will have some measure of political experience with the federal Conservatives or one of its earlier incarnations: the Reform party, the Canadian Alliance, and the Progressive Conservatives.

Finally, Canadian senators must be over 30, and younger than 75. They also must own property in B.C. with a value at least $4,000 higher than the individual's liabilities.

Women in the running

The foregoing suggests that Harper's ideal B.C. senate candidate would be a visible-minority woman who has been involved with the federal Conservatives or its predecessors, and is between 40 and 70 years of age.

Two possible appointees who match those criteria ran unsuccessfully for the Conservatives in the last federal general election. One was Wai Young, a Hong Kong-born social policy and program development consultant. She nearly pulled off an historic upset in Vancouver South, losing to Liberal MP and former NDP premier Ujjal Dosanjh by just 20 votes.

The other was Yonah Martin, who finished 1,500 votes behind NDP veteran Dawn Black in New Westminster-Coquitlam. A school teacher, Martin was born in Korea and emigrated with her family to Canada in 1972.

It obviously is a short list. But there are several B.C. women who have served as members of Parliament and likely are under consideration. Among them is Betty Hinton, who, after holding a number of municipal offices (including mayor of Logan Lake), won election to the House of Commons with the Canadian Alliance in Kamloops in 2000. She was re-elected with the Conservatives in 2004 and 2006, and served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of Veterans Affairs. Hinton quit politics and opted not to run in the most-recent contest, so she might not be interested in returning to Ottawa.

Sharon Hayes, elected as a Reform MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam in 1993 and 1997, may be near the top of Harper's list. She retired from politics to care for her ailing husband shortly after winning her second election, and later held a senior position with Focus on the Family Canada.

Hayes already has been vetted by the Harper government, which named her as chair of the Board of Referees in B.C. for the Employment Insurance Act.

Other Reform women elected to parliament in 1993 include Val Meredith in Surrey-White Rock-South Langley, Margaret Bridgman in Surrey North, and Daphne Jennings in Mission-Coquitlam. All must be considered long-shots for appointment to the Senate.

Meredith won re-election with Reform in 1997, and then again with the Canadian Alliance in 2000, but she lost the Conservative nomination in 2004. She then retired from politics, but later worked as an Ottawa lobbyist. Both Bridgman and Jennings quit federal politics after a single term in the House of Commons; the former made a bid in 2001 to win election to B.C.'s legislature with the provincial Reform party but was unsuccessful.

Another former MP possibly under consideration is Mary Collins, 68. She was elected to the House of Commons as a Progressive Conservative in Capilano in 1984, won re-election in 1988, and held a number of cabinet positions in Brian Mulroney's cabinet. Collins lost her seat in 1993, and has been active with BC Healthy Living.

Some more female possibilities

Interestingly, several electorally-unsuccessful women might be even more highly rated as potential senators than those who served as MPs. One is Cindy Silver, who finished second for the Conservatives in North Vancouver in 2006. A lawyer actively opposed to same-sex marriage, Silver won a Harper-government appointment to a Canada Pension Plan review tribunal.

Another Harper-government appointee is Kerry-Lynne Findlay, a Canadian Alliance candidate who finished second in Vancouver Quadra in 2000. Also a lawyer, Findlay was named to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

Yet another is Faith Collins, who had a fourth-place finish in Victoria in 1993 as a Progressive Conservative candidate. She was unsuccessful in getting a Conservative nomination in 2004, but later got appointed by Harper to a Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal.

Not to be forgotten are two women who ran for the Conservatives in the most-recent federal election. Deborah Meredith, a law professor at UBC's Sauder School of Business, twice was runner-up to Liberal Joyce Murray in Vancouver-Quadra (in the general election, and before that in a by-election), while Sharon Smith lost to New Democrat Nathan Cullen in Skeena-Bulkley Valley.

In 2003, Smith gained worldwide notoriety as mayor of Houston, B.C., after being photographed by her husband in council chambers wearing nothing but her mayoral chain of office. Four weeks ago, a month after losing the federal election, she was defeated as mayor.

Also likely to be considered is Mary McNeil, a lawyer who lost the Conservative nomination in Vancouver Quadra to Meredith. She later got a plum Harper-government appointment to the board of directors for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Lastly, a woman who was runner-up for the Progressive Conservatives in Prince George-Bulkley Valley in 1988 might make Harper's short-list. Valerie Kordyban, a lawyer, served two terms on the board of the Provincial Services Health Authority courtesy of Gordon Campbell's BC Liberals.

Men in the running

A handful or so visible-minority men have represented the Conservatives or their predecessors in recent federal elections, and might be considered for a red chamber appointment.

Hong Kong-born Ronald Leung recently ran for the Conservatives in Burnaby-Douglas, where he lost to incumbent New Democrat Bill Siksay. A former radio talk-show host, Leung made an unsuccessful 2005 bid for a seat on Vancouver City Council, and later became an assistant to a couple of Conservative cabinet ministers, Jason Kenney (multiculturalism) and Stockwell Day (public safety).

A three-time Tory candidate could get a serious look. Hong Kong-born Kanman Wong immigrated to Canada with his family in 1979, obtained a degree from UBC, and later became a computer consultant. He also found time to represent the Progressive Conservatives in Vancouver-Kingsway in 1997 and 2000, and the Conservatives in the same riding in 2006. In November, he lost a bid to win a seat on Vancouver City Council for the NPA.

The names of two failed Tory hopefuls in Vancouver South, both dentists, might be put forward as Senate candidates: Victor Soo-Chan was the Conservative representative in 2004 (and currently sits on the party's constituency executive in Vancouver-Kingsway), while K.K. Wan, a radio talk-show host, stood for the Progressive Conservatives in 1993.

Lastly, two more Hong Kong expatriates could find their way to the Canadian Senate. Patrick Wong, a Vancouver accountant, won election to the province's legislative assembly with Gordon Campbell's BC Liberals in 2001, but was defeated after a single term by New Democrat David Chudnovsky. Wong then became active with the federal Conservatives, becoming a special advisor on political operations, Asia-Pacific Affairs. He also sought the party nomination in Richmond, but lost to Alice Wong, who in October upset veteran Liberal MP Raymond Chan.

Prominent among Alice Wong's supporters was Tung Chan, the chief executive officer of SUCCESS, the immigrant-services society. A one-time NPA councillor in Vancouver, Chan also is an active backer of Campbell's Liberals, and won a provincial appointment to the board of Kwantlen College.

More male candidates

Lastly, any number of non-visible minority, male British Columbians might be named to the red chamber, although it is hard to see nearly all of the former Conservative, Canadian Alliance or Reform MPs getting serious consideration. Really, does it seem possible that Abbotsford's Randy White (1993-2006), North Vancouver's Ted White(politician) (1993-2004), Castlegar's Jim Gouk (1993-2006), or West Vancouver's Herb Grubel (1993-1997) could become a Canadian Senator?

One name stands out, however: John Reynolds. A veteran B.C. politico, Reynolds, 68, was a Progressive Conservative MP from 1972 to 1979, a Social Credit MLA from 1983 to 1991 (and served both as Speaker and environment minister), and finally returned to Ottawa as a MP with Reform, the Canadian Alliance and the Conservatives from 1997 to 2006. A red chamber appointment probably is his for the asking.

A handful of ex-Social Credit MLAs may be given brief consideration, but are long-shots to win a Senate appointment. Stephen Rogers_(politician), a cabinet minister and Speaker, represented the Conservatives in Vancouver Quadra in 2004 and 2006, but was runner-up to Liberal Stephen Owen.

Bud Smith, a former attorney general, spent many years in Progressive Conservative backrooms, and is no stranger to the Harper Conservatives. He has a federal appointment to the board of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

A former BC Liberal MLA, Lorne Mayencourt, ran unsuccessfully for the Conservatives in Vancouver Centre in 2008, and seems unlikely to be asked.

Any number of Vancouver lawyers might see themselves as Canadian Senators, but only a handful would get serious consideration. They include veteran Tory organizers George Cadman, who is a Harper appointee to the Vancouver International Airport Authority, and Lyall Knott, who sat on the airport board from 1988 to 1994 courtesy of Brian Mulroney.

Among the Tory fundraisers who could be considered for the red chamber are Peter Webster of Petwyn Investments, Gerry Strongman of Tonecraft Corporation (Color Your World Paints) and a Socred MLA from 1975 to 1979, and Mike Burns Naikun Wind Group.

Both Webster and Burns have received government appointments from the Harper Conservatives. The former sits on the board of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, and the latter served as chair of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, but resigned a year ago when the Tories came under fire for a shortage of medical isotopes.

Jerry Lampert, a veteran Progressive Conservative and Social Credit strategist before becoming chief executive officer of the B.C. Business Council, might be up for consideration. After retiring from the business council in 2007, Lampert got a Harper government appointment to the B.C. Treaty Commission.

A well-known B.C. businessman who might be named to the senate is Future Shop-founder Hassan Khosrowshahi. He recently was put on the board of the Canada Post Corporation.

Finally, two veteran Progressive Conservative organizers, Jacob Brouwer and Don Hamilton, might be hampered by age consideration. Brouwer, an insurance industry veteran, headed the PC Canada Fund under Brian Mulroney, while Hamilton, founder of the CKLG radio station, was a close adviser to Joe Clark. The latter also is a mentor to newly-elected North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton.

Related Tyee stories:

[Tyee]

Veteran political analyst Will McMartin is a Tyee contributing editor.

28 Comments:

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  • Skywalker

    3 years ago

    In the running?

    It will no doubt be some soft furry critter that will have Stephen's hand on his/her throat just like the one in the picture. I select the kitty above any of those mentioned as the most deserving.

  • North of Hope

    3 years ago

    next senator?

    What about me, I want to win!!! I'll support an elected senate, just give me my well deserved pension and all the benefits.

  • Peter Dimitrov

    3 years ago

    Galling?

    there... goes a PM who very probably does not enjoy the confidence of the House, provided a short reprieve by the GG's recent decision that seems without precedent, about to appoint 18 senators, including senators for BC. You really got to wonder not just about the ethics and lawfulness of it, but that we have a constitutional system that apparently grants such enormous powers of appointment to the PM (and provincially, to Premiers). As I have said before our institutions of governance need modernizing and a good shot of democracy ...and that starts, in BC, at least with prorep, hopefully STV, as MMP gives way to much power to political parties to appoint their own insiders; and federally, by curtailing the appointment powers by PMs, and to end the first-past the post voting system..all ought to go at the very least. As an aside, there is a strong link between our constitution and the state of our monetary system, our economy and social fabric, and unless we castoff the deadweight from ailing constitutional institutions the country as a whole will suffer from fools, elitist power mongers, and dumbed down/ill-suited policy and legislation for the demands of these modern times. We have not arrived at the end of Canadian history, if the constitution and our institutions are not best for peace, order and good governance of this nation ..the time for change has arrived, the time for change we need is here, but will "we" as a people heed that call..whose volume increases with each passing day. Do we want elitist executive federalism ...which the constitution allows for or do we want to reinvent the way that we democratically govern ourselves with the constitutional inclusion not just for francophones and anglophones, but also an equal place at the constitutional table for Aboriginal peoples, the First Nations of this land. We have a good Charter, but the rest of the old constitution and the institutions/divisions of power that it provides legal space for... is of dubious value ..and Harper plays those old rules like a fiddle for the benefit of the privileged powers that control and run this country to the detriment of many.

  • realisticman

    3 years ago

    Dimitrov

    "..and Harper plays those old rules like a fiddle ..."

    A strange analogy, unless it's meant to be a joke. Harper has been saying for years that the structure of government should be changed. In fact, it's one of the prime objectives he had when becoming involved in politics.

    Have you ever given any thought as to the mechanisms required and the agreements voted on and approved by provincial legislators, that are necessary to change the structures and formulations of our institutions? Try and get agreement from the Maritime provinces that would give the far larger western provinces, their democratically balanced representation.

    Did you know that Stephen Harper has had the only elected senator, Bert Brown, recently visit all the provinces in his on-going 20 year campaign for senate reform?

  • Fiat lux

    3 years ago

    North... If he offers it to

    North...

    If he offers it to me I'll give you 10 bucks to take it off my hand.

    Ed Deak.

  • Jeffrey J.

    3 years ago

    Temper Tantrum from Child-Man PM

    A number of commentators likened Harper's behavior during the coalition standoff to that of a ten year old. Grabbing his toys and running in from the playground. One commentator, a mother, said she would send him straight back outside to face his peers.

    Here we see yet another child-like response from the petulant Harper. After opposing in principle the arbitrary appoinment of senate seats for years, Harper has done a child like about face, and will now appoint anyone he pleases. So there! That'll teach them.

    For those who keep saying Harper can learn to play well with others, it would appear not.

    The sooner we get rid of this guy, the safer our country will be. Good grief!

  • Skywalker

    3 years ago

    Realisticman

    So why doesn't he run 18 elections for the current vacancies and appoint those with the most votes. Mind you he would have to resist the temptation to select then from safe Tory/Reform areas? Wanna bet he won't do that and as he heads out the door you'll hear him mutter, "I had no option."

  • realisticman

    3 years ago

    Senate

    It's up to the provinces to break tradition and run elections for the senate. Only Alberta has done that.

    Prime Minister Harper has stated that the Senate "must either change or—like the old upper houses of our provinces—vanish".

    Harper has also promised further reforms beyond electing senators, including limits on how long each senator may sit.

    Under the constitution, each province or territory is entitled to a specific number of Senate seats.

    Jeffrey J.
    "For those who keep saying Harper can learn to play well with others, it would appear not."

    If Harper appoints senators then he IS playing with the others because that is what the others want.

    Proposals for Senate reform have not met with success, especially due to opposition in Ontario and Quebec, the two provinces with the most to lose due to equal representation.

  • crh

    3 years ago

    I'm so gad that Canadians

    I'm so gad that Canadians can feel secure in their little ol political selves that they have voted in the right party for the job. As thousands of layoffs have taken place, and will into the future we have no worries that the conservatives are out there fighting for what is right! It is so comforting to me to know that we will be spending more money to run government, stimulating the economy at the same time!

    Good thing Harper has such sound judgement. Anyone else, might just be doing something for the country instead of taking care of senator business.

  • Skywalker

    3 years ago

    Don't give me a lesson about the senate

    Harper is suppose to be different, you know like all those reformers who would not take a pension, so let him push the envelope where it counts. Oh no, he will once again appoint his 18 porkers to the trough as payback for their contributions. Proving once again that he is no different than the opposition he rails at.

  • realisticman

    3 years ago

    Important component of government

    Senate committees consider bills in detail, and can make amendments. Other committees scrutinize various government agencies and ministries.

    * Aboriginal Peoples
    * Agriculture and Forestry
    * Banking, Trade, and Commerce
    * Conflict of Interest for Senators
    * Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
    * Fisheries and Oceans
    * Foreign Affairs
    * Human Rights
    * Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration
    * Legal and Constitutional Affairs
    * National Finance
    * National Security and Defense
    * Official Languages
    * Rules, Procedure and the Rights of Parliament
    * Selection Committee
    * Social Affairs, Science and Technology
    * Transport and Communication

  • realisticman

    3 years ago

    Skywalker

    As I've said before, if Harper does not appoint senators then the next government will. He would stupid to wait for that?

  • realisticman

    3 years ago

    Ironic criticism

    Stephen Harper wants to reform the senate and the province that has the lowest representation in the senate by population and would gain the most from an equal senate is British Columbia.

    If BC were to have the same number of senators as PEI does by population, BC would have 20 senators instead of 6. If the same proportion as Québec, 12.

    Easterners chuckle with glee when they read that Harper is criticized in the west regarding the senate. For it is they that have by far the most power to lose in any reform of this powerful chamber.

    British Columbians should support Stephen Harper in whatever he does regarding the senate, unless they are quite happy to continue to have the power in this country stay in continuing proportionally shrinking population provinces like PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec.

  • avandoc

    3 years ago

    representing who?

    Dimitrov's analysis is correct: Canada has a huge democracy deficit. Elites, whether Conservative or Liberal, are hostile to democracy for obvious reasons. The power that a prime minister or premier has is proportionally greater, for instance, than in the US where the legislative and executive branches are separate and act as counterweights. In Illinois, the Democrats in the state legislature are impeaching a Democratic governor. (The US has its own democratic deficits, of course, especially related to how campaigns are financed).

    At least Harper is a bit constrained by his party's minority status. Otherwise he would have defunded the other parties by now.

    We need a proportional voting system to allow stable coalitions and new parties to emerge. This could break the stranglehold of elite power in Canada and perhaps facilitate Constitutional reform. Single transferable vote in BC is a good first step. Greens and social conservatives, for instance, could probably elect MLAs under such a regime.

  • Skywalker

    3 years ago

    Realisticman

    Maybe he should give a senate seat to the Governor General as a thank you for giving him the time to make mischief by appointing a bunch of conservative/reform hacks before he has to face the possibility of another non confidence motion. So much for his wanting the senate reformed. Harper is no better than the liberals when it comes to pork barreling. So scratch any "holier than the others" argument from your list for all time. Harper's desire for senate reform is bogus. His desire for political advantage reigns.

  • Wilfred Laurier

    3 years ago

    My Pick

    I hereby nominate Bill Vander Zalm as senator from BC.

  • realisticman

    3 years ago

    Skywalker

    Sorry to hear that you are such a cynic.

    When I lived in the east of Canada I often thought that the West was ignored or only promised things by the federal government and I felt this was contemptuous and wrong and lead to anger and cynicism. Meanwhile, I saw lavish federal spending all around. When I moved west I gradually began to realise that much of the wounds that the west has are self inflicted. Many people just don't know or care what goes on.

    Did you know that Stephen Harper has had the only elected senator, Bert Brown, recently visit all the provinces in his on-going 20 year campaign for senate reform?

    http://www.cbc.ca/thehouse/audio.html

    Chris talks to Canada's only sitting elected Senator about what this means for the Prime Minister's ultimate plan for senate reform.

  • Skywalker

    3 years ago

    Be realistic man!

    "Did you know that Stephen Harper has had the only elected senator, Bert Brown, recently visit all the provinces in his on-going 20 year campaign for senate reform?"

    So what! The senate is a useless carry over from colonial days. Disband them. What good is one "elected" senator "elected" without any legal sanction. It still has to be an appointment. My point is that Harper is no different than all the rest and to stop pretending that his 18 will be any more significant than every other senator ever appointed in the past. Be realistic man!

  • lynn

    3 years ago

    Eighteen brand spanking "new" "Stevies"

    no-confidence, no democracy....for gawd's sake, no more pretending:

    http://mackaycartoons.net/2008/huh/2008-12-12.html

  • lynn

    3 years ago

    oops

    sorry...link doesn't appear to be working....can go to archive in mackay cartoons...it's listed as "Stacked Senate" (December 12/08)

  • Peter Dimitrov

    3 years ago

    new "stevies"

    all wearing a blue sweater with a kitty too...how innocent, harmless and gentile...give me a 'fuddly duddly' break!...and where especially are the Liberals (and their coalition partners the NDP and Bloq) on this powerplay...silent like sheep...why...'cause they want to keep those 'old rules' in place so they can benefit from them too when it is their turn to get their hands on the 'steering wheel' of this country. Why arent't they challenging the PM on that, why are they not writing the GG requesting the 18 new senators not be approved by her unless the PM has the confidence of the House to remain as PM and exercise perogative executive powers. What a mess....

  • lynn

    3 years ago

    Agree completely, Peter.

    Agree completely, Peter.

    Democracy in this country is in shambles.

    And as you passionately note where is the outrage and the challenge to the PM from the other parties as Harper once again arrogantly thumbs his nose at the democratic process?

  • ME2

    3 years ago

    Playing games

    As far as I can find out, it is not Harper who has said he is filling 18 vacant Senate seats, but rather "insiders". Has Harper himself said who or when? Do we have a red herring here?

    My guess is he ain't gonna say until he's finished this divertissement with Iggy. It's a good performance so far.

    And that may prove too enjoyable, so even though it doesn't result in a marriage, they just may decide to go steady.

  • SharingIsGood

    3 years ago

    blue sweater

    That blue sweater pussy makes me sick too, Peter.

  • Dan the socialist

    3 years ago

    Democracy is dead in Canada.

    Democracy is dead in Canada. It Died Dec 8th. We are now living under a conservative dictatorship. (Actually A Reform/GOP dictatorship as Harper is no Conservative) All Heil Chairman Harper!

    it is getting close to revolution time I think in this country. Personally I think BC should separate from the rest of Canada. We could make it on our own.

  • Bailey

    3 years ago

    The confidence of...

    It's not just the House and the nation. That cat doesn't look too confident in Mr. Harper either.

    Is it possible Mr. Harper, realizing that his more controversial edicts are likely to be changed, is putting these 18 people where they can do most damage to any attempt to replace proper regulations on corporate activity?

    It's a bit reminiscent of Burgess, McLean, Philby and that Cambridge lot. In the 30s, while Communism still seemed a principled response to depression, they were recruited by the Soviets and hidden. People forgot these early associations and when they were finally activated to bring down a British Government, it was quite a surprise to everybody.

    A force of 18 senators might, if acting together later, do equally surprising and dismaying things.

  • Stump

    3 years ago

    $4K requirement

    "Finally, Canadian senators must be over 30, and younger than 75. They also must own property in B.C. with a value at least $4,000 higher than the individual's liabilities."

    Wow. I didn't know this (the monetary requirements). Isn't this clearly discriminatory? Especially right now, when a lot of people's savings and assets just took a nosedive into the Sea of Red Ink. I wonder how many Senators would fail this requirement right now?

  • RickW

    3 years ago

    R/M old man....

    * Aboriginal Peoples (still abysmal living/health conditions)
    * Agriculture and Forestry (Down the toilet)
    * Banking, Trade, and Commerce (Continuing to live off the fat of the land)
    * Conflict of Interest for Senators (Non-existant)
    * Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (Nowhere to be seen)
    * Fisheries and Oceans (Dead and dying)
    * Foreign Affairs (sinking fast)
    * Human Rights (going south)
    * Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration (Failing - Non-existant - Increasing)
    * Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Mired)
    * National Finance (Deficit, deficit, deficit)
    * National Security and Defense (laughing stock)
    * Official Languages (Ah! Something they can agree on)
    * Rules, Procedure and the Rights of Parliament (Something else they can agree on)
    * Selection Committee (Yes Please -- the more the merrier)
    * Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Overblown - let someone else invent things)
    * Transport and Communication (1950's technology)

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