Chief justice says tough constitutional work to be done on Senate reform

SASKATOON – Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin says the Supreme Court of Canada will do its best to get an answer for Canadians on Senate reform as quickly as possible.

But McLachlin cautions there’s a lot of work to be done and a lot of thought to be put into tough constitutional questions.

The federal government asked the Supreme Court in February to clarify the government’s powers to reform or abolish the Senate and the court will hear arguments this fall.

Speaking in Saskatoon on Saturday, McLachlin says the court will answer questions as to how reform can be made and what is required in terms of consent by the provinces.

She says she won’t know how difficult the case is until the court gets into the work.

The Conservative government has said it should be able to reform the Senate without reopening the Constitution.