The Senate's constitutional role is no more. Closure without substantive analysis of the effects of passing legislation is in the process of replacing the provision of sober second thought.

"Full speed ahead" (1) being the marching orders, there will be no substantive analysis of Bills of far reaching consequence. Thoughts of the possibility of improvement through amendments, let alone such actions being considered and acted upon, simply do not exist.

August 26, 2010 on the runway at Tuktoyaktuk Harper said, "I think I make the rules." (2) Having majorities in both the Commons and the Senate it is no longer "I think" but rather "I make."

Opposition from other political parties are ineffective. What is yet to be determined is what impact there may be from a new force in our lives, social net working. Campaigns are under weigh by both those opposing the destruction of the Canadian Wheat board by the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act (3) and the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act.(4) Senators are receiving  tens of thousands of e-mails from irate citizens concerned about the future when precedents and judgement are ignored and this statement made by Agricultural Minister Ritz "Let me be clear, we will never reconsider" (5)is viewed as an unacceptable norm.

Will Canada's "New Government", the "Harper Government" respond positively to pressure from the citizenry or ignore it?

Something providing "interesting times" to follow as year 2011 draws to a close.

References:

(1) Full speed ahead for wheat board bill http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/08/full-speed-ahead-for-wheat-board-bill#disqus_thread
(2) Harper on an ATV: 'I make the rules' http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2010/08/harper-on-an-atv-i-make-the-rules.html
(3) LEGISinfo - House Government Bill C-18 (41-1) http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=5169698&Mode=1&Language=E
(4) LEGISinfo - House Government Bill C-19 (41-1)  http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=5188309&Mode=1&Language=E
(5) Tories to reform wheat board despite court ruling http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/12/07/mb-wheat-board-court-decision-winnipeg.html?cmp=rss

ADDENDA: Action on the Social Network.

Tell the Senate: Don't rubber stamp the Crime Bill
Update & New Action: Thursday Dec 8, 2011
http://www.leadnow.ca/keep-canada-safe

I am writing to you because I am deeply concerned about the Omnibus Crime Bill, Bill C-10, as it ignores the extensive evidence about how we can achieve our shared goal of making our communities safer. I am writing because our Senate can provide the sober second thought that we need now. I am writing to ask you to carefully explore the evidence, listen to diverse voices, and make thoughtful changes to this bill that will make Canada safer, not meaner.

I ask that the Senate take the time necessary to review all of the evidence and talk to the experts. Many respected experts and organizations are profoundly concerned about this bill. For example, consider this list of ten major problems with the bill, by Trinda L. Earnst, Q.C., President of the Canadian Bar Association:

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1086785--10-reasons-to-oppose-bill-c-10