Senator Gold: Unfortunately, I do not agree with you or with that suggestion. Senator, you know how much I respect the Supreme Court, our judges and the importance of that ruling. It’s all well and good to quote from the reference, but I encourage you to read the debates dealing with Confederation and everything that has been written about the Senate. I also encourage you to reflect on the many roles that the Senate plays.

I would also refer you to the text of the Constitution of 1867. Why does the Constitution give the Senate the same legislative power, except for appropriation bills retained by the House of Commons, if the Senate’s only role is to wait for a bill to be introduced? We have had the constitutional power to legislate on our own initiative since 1867. Bill C-10 was thoroughly studied and debated in this chamber, because although we had not finished our deliberations, it arrived in the Senate with amendments, so it would not be all that radical to say that we are doing our part and accomplishing the work that is expected of us.