OTTAWA – Some quotes from Friday’s Supreme Court ruling on Senate reform and the subsequent reaction from across Canada:

“The Senate is one of Canada’s foundational political institutions. It lies at the heart of the agreements that gave birth to the Canadian federation. Yet from its first sittings, voices have called for reform of the Senate and even, on occasion, for its outright abolition.” — the ruling’s opening lines

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“We conclude that Parliament cannot unilaterally achieve most of the proposed changes to the Senate, which require the consent of at least seven provinces representing, in the aggregate, at least half of the population of all the provinces. We further conclude that abolition of the Senate requires the consent of all of the provinces.” — from the ruling

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“Abolition of the Senate would fundamentally change Canada’s constitutional structure, including its procedures for amending the Constitution, and can only be done with unanimous federal-provincial consensus.” — from the ruling

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“We know there is no consensus among the provinces on reform, no consensus on abolition and no desire of anyone to reopen the Constitution and have a bunch of constitutional negotiations. So essentially, this is a decision for the status quo, a status quo that is supported by virtually no Canadian. So look, I think that given that the Supreme Court has said we’re essentially stuck with the status quo for the time being, and that significant reform and abolition are off the table, I think it’s a decision that I’m disappointed with (and) … that a vast majority of Canadians will be very disappointed with, but obviously we will respect that decision.” — Prime Minister Stephen Harper

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“For the Quebec government, federal institutions are at the heart of Canadian federalism…. These institutions do not belong to the federal government or the federal Parliament. The Supreme Court has proven us right.” — Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Fournier

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“Canadians overwhelmingly believe the Senate should be reformed. Our government has always been committed to reforming the Senate. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has decided Parliament cannot make meaningful reforms to that institution.” —— Pierre Poilievre, minister of state for democratic reform

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“We’re disappointed with the decision because it essentially supports the status quo that Canadians want to reform. The vast majority of Canadians want to either abolish or fundamentally reform the Senate and the implications of today’s decision is that Canadians won’t be able to do either of those things.” — Employment Minister Jason Kenney

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“Our government does not have any intention of reopening the constitutional debates of the past.” — Poilievre

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“I think its over. I don’t think there is a next (step) and we’re not going to spend a lot of time on it. I think the people of Saskatchewan have other priorities…. Thailand, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Burkina Faso, Fiji, Grenada, Jamaica, Jordan, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominion of Canada — these are the countries that have a wholly appointed upper chamber with no prospects for change.” — Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall

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“We continue to believe the unelected and unaccountable Senate should be abolished, and of course, that should only be done after consultations with Canadians and provinces.” — NDP democratic reform critic Craig Scott

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“Liberals have already shown that Senate reform can occur without re-opening the Constitution and we challenge the prime minister to match our action in making senators independent of political parties and end partisanship in the Senate.” — Stephane Dion, Liberal critic for intergovernmental affairs

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“Today’s decision is yet another reminder that this prime minister’s ‘might makes right’ approach to legislation is not working. The Conservatives are only wasting Parliament’s time by passing bills that are likely to be overturned by the courts.” — Green party Leader Elizabeth May

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“We believe that the Senate plays a valuable role as a chamber of sober second thought, and that any changes made to it must be consistent with this function.” — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

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“There’s no question that unanimous consent is a high bar for abolition, but do not underestimate how sick Canadians are of this unelected group of landowners pilfering the public purse.” — Gregory Thomas, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

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“While B.C. did not feel that unanimity was necessary for Senate abolition, we are happy with this decision, as it upholds our belief that British Columbians should be able to participate in the decision-making process. We do recognize that unanimity will make it more difficult to abolish the Senate.” — B.C. Attorney General Suzanne Anton

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“We continue to seek a democratic foundation to the Senate and think other provinces should do the same. The Supreme Court’s opinion will help us assess the path forward and we will take the time required to evaluate it carefully.” — Alberta Intergovernmental Relations Minister Cal Dallas

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“We believe that if the federal government shows leadership and calls together various provinces, we can have a good discussion about how we get rid of an outmoded institution.” — Manitoba Justice Minister Andrew Swan

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