Monday, July 14, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Mike Duffy appeal is a chance to reform the unelected Senate

The Senate has shown it will not voluntarily respect the Charter of Rights and the rule of law. However, the Supreme Court of Canada can do what the Senate refuses to do. It can use the Duffy case to define and limit both the scope and abuse of parliamentary privilege.

Senator Mike Duffy, 74, pictured in 2014 at his trial in Ottawa, will be retiring from the Senate in May when he turns 75. Sen. Duffy was charged in 2014 by the RCMP with 31 offences over allegedly improperly claiming primary residence outside of Ottawa for living expenses, but he was acquitted of all charges in 2016. He filed a civil lawsuit against the Senate and the RCMP in 2017, which the Ontario Superior Court dismissed in 2018. He filed an unsuccessful appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2019 and in October 2020, he filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Hill Times file photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion
BY DANIEL TSAI
December 14, 2020

Opinion | BY DANIEL TSAI | December 14, 2020

FOLLOW THE HILL TIMES:

Want to make sure your whole office has the full Hill Times experience?

We have team plans available for companies, organizations, classes, Parliament Hill offices and more. Fill out this form and find out if your team is eligible for a discount.

More Opinion

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.

Mike Duffy appeal is a chance to reform the unelected Senate

The Senate has shown it will not voluntarily respect the Charter of Rights and the rule of law. However, the Supreme Court of Canada can do what the Senate refuses to do. It can use the Duffy case to define and limit both the scope and abuse of parliamentary privilege.

Global progress on renewables but climate tipping points still on the horizon

Canada needs to look beyond the U.S. and Europe for its future

Bill C-5: RIP reconciliation?

Raising hackles: why can’t the CAF help stepping on their own dicks?

Coal mine expansion a dangerous step backward for public health and our environment

Fending off threats to the Great Lakes

Energy Minister Hodgson top-lobbied in Carney cabinet since May shuffle

Courts unlikely to provide fifth extension to Ottawa to address Lost Canadians before November, says immigration lawyer

BC Ferries story reveals Canada’s confused policy on China

A reality check for the Carney government and Canadians

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Follow us

Advertise

subscribe

get help

Get free news updates

Submit a guest opinion article

Mike Duffy appeal is a chance to reform the unelected Senate

The Senate has shown it will not voluntarily respect the Charter of Rights and the rule of law. However, the Supreme Court of Canada can do what the Senate refuses to do. It can use the Duffy case to define and limit both the scope and abuse of parliamentary privilege.

Get The Weekend Point of View Newsletter