April 25, 2017 — Senator Peter Harder, the Government Representative in the Senate, will be in Alberta this week on a two-day tour to discuss progress towards making the Red Chamber less-partisan, and more independent, accountable and transparent.

Senator Harder will be in Calgary on Wednesday to meet with senior officials at the Canada West Foundation and take part in a roundtable with business leaders at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. He is also scheduled to meet with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

On Thursday, Senator Harder will be in Edmonton to speak about the renewal of the Upper Chamber at an event hosted by the Canadian Club of Edmonton. He noted that Alberta has been an historic proponent and great contributor of ideas towards Senate reform.

Senator Harder was the first appointed to the Upper Chamber as an Independent last March under a new merit-based, non-partisan process. There are now 42 Independents in the Senate, 39 Conservatives, 18 Independent Liberals and six vacancies.

Independent Senators are free to vote without direction from a party leader in the House of Commons. This move away from partisanship is guiding the Senate back to its intended roots as a complimentary chamber of sober second thought.

Senator Harder will hold media availability at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26 in the foyer of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce (600, 237 8th Avenue SE).

Media are also invited to attend Senator Harder’s speech in Edmonton. The event begins at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 27 at the Chateau Lacombe (10111 Bellamy Hill, Salon A). Questions will follow his speech.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Senator Harder, please contact:

Brian Laghi
Director of Communications
613-462-9011 c
brian.laghi@sen.parl.gc.ca