New 18 Senators to likely sit until age of 75, despite reform ...

The 18 new Senators recently appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper will likely serve until the age of 75, despite pledging to support future eight-year term limits and Senate reforms.

As well, Mr. Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) is expected to appoint as many Conservative Senators as he can before he leaves office to gain a majority in the Upper Chamber and to finally push his Senate reforms through into law.

Dalhousie University political science professor Jennifer Smith said, however, that even if Prime Minister Harper achieves this, and wins an inevitable court challenge from at least one of the provinces, reform legislation would only apply to vacancies in the Senate that arise after the legislation is passed.