There’s drama with the Senate, after they sent back the omnibus transport bill back to the Commons a second time, after the government rejected several of the nineteen amendments proposed. We haven’t seen this happen in twelve years, that last time being in 2006 when there was back-and-forth on Harper’s Accountability Act, when he had a minority in the Commons, and the Liberals had a majority in the Senate, giving them the necessary leverage. But while much of the focus is on whether or not there’s going to be a constitutional crisis over this (there’s not, and quit being such drama queens about it), there is actually some nuance here that should be explored a bit more.

In a rare step the Senate rejected the Commons transportation bill for a second time. @VassyKapelos explains the significance #pnpcbc #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/eBQPdIf9h6

— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) May 10, 2018

There are a couple of reasons why the Senate eventually voted to insist on some of the amendments, and one of those had to do with the way it creates unfairness for the Maritimes when it comes to rail transportation rates, as there is a monopoly in the region. What’s very interesting about this is the fact that after PEI Senator Diane Griffin made her speech about the regional unfairness, all subsequent debate became spontaneous and unscripted – something we almost never see in either chamber. This is how Parliament should work, and based on that speech, some senators changed their votes, which shows that the process does work as it’s supposed to, from time to time. It also shows that the Senate is fulfilling its role when it comes to standing up for regions, as they are doing for the Maritimes in this case. (Griffin, incidentally, says she’ll likely back down if the Commons rejects the amendments a second time).

.@SenDianeGriffin says if the House doesn't want to take the advice of senators and amend Bill #C-49 to provide more fairness to Maritimers, it's their funeral #pnpcbc #cdnpoli #SenCa pic.twitter.com/FmL5j2DEY3

— Power & Politics (@PnPCBC) May 10, 2018

The other reason the Senate is sending these amendments back, however, is the fact that when the government rejected them, they didn’t offer an explanation as to why, and this is important (and I haven’t seen anyone reporting this fact). And this puts the onus on the government, because they owe senators that explanation as to why their sober second thought is being rejected. Just about a year ago, when the Senate sent back amendments to the budget implementation bill, the House rather snippily stated that such amendments would impede the privileges of the Commons – but never stated how they would do so. While the Senate passed the bill, they did send a message back to the Commons that yes, they do have the ability to amend budget bills thank you very much, but they did make sure to let Bardish Chagger know their displeasure the next time she appeared at Senate QP, where they wanted the explanation as to how the amendments would impact the Commons’ privileges (and she never did give them an answer). Trudeau keeps saying he respects the independence of the Senate, but he should demonstrate that respect by offering explanations and not treating the work of the Senate in such a dismissive manner.

Good reads:

• Justin Trudeau was in Saguenay yesterday to make a funding announcement – the tenth in ten days, shortly before a byelection is called in the riding.
• Trudeau also said that Stephen Harper is entitled to his opinion after he signed his name to a full-page ad saying that Trump was right about Iran.
• Chrystia Freeland added that aside from the nuclear deal, Canada is preoccupied with the detention of a Canadian widow in Iran, which tops their diplomatic agenda.
• Freeland also says that the Americans need some kind of NAFTA deal by May 17^thif they want to fast track it before mid-term elections.
• Navdeep Bains opened up about an April 2017 incident where American border officials demanded he remove his turban, which prompted a diplomatic complaint.
• Bill Blair says that marijuana legalization will still go ahead, even if the “companion” impaired driving bill doesn’t.
• Even if Bill C-46 passes, federal officials don’t know when marijuana-detection devices will be finished testing and ready for deployment.
• Harjit Sajjan announced that the military justice system will be overhauled to give complainants a great role in the process.
• Ruh-roh! Focus group testing shows that budget messaging isn’t resonating with voters, particularly around things like the “feminist budget.”
• The Ethics Commissioner declined to investigate the Arctic surf clam bid process under allegations of nepotism, and now the Conservatives want to try again.
• The Royal Canadian Navy has a mould problem on its warships, and a lack of proper maintenance is being blamed for it.
• The Elections Commissioner ruled a deal by a Green candidate to withdraw and back the Liberal in his riding to unseat the Conservative illegally used party funds.
• The Parliamentary Budget Officer says that Andrew Scheer’s bill to give a tax break for parental leave would cost the treasury at least $600 million per year.
• NDP MP Kennedy Stewart is resigning his seat to run for mayor of Vancouver.
• The investigation into Elizabeth May’s conduct showed no signs of workplace harassment.
• David Moscrop writes about the pettiness of nickel-and-diming our elected officials, given that not paying our elected officials means only the wealthy will get involved.
• Colby Cosh offers an interesting look at perceptions by way of polls asking which country had the biggest impact on winning the Second World War.

Odds and ends:

Public Works has put out a series of videos to showcase the progress of the West Block and other Parliamentary Precinct renovations.

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