So far, Canada's new appointment process for independent Senators arguably, is not living up to expectations on the democratic reform of the Senate.

The Justin Trudeau government announced a new appointment process in the aftermath of Senate corruption scandals involving Mike Duffy and other Senators who were appointed from a system of patronage controlled by Offices of presiding Prime Ministers who have sought to reward personal loyalty.

Canadians inspired by Trudeau's campaign slogan of “Sunny Ways” had hoped that some light would be shined into the closed processes of our Senate.

Unfortunately, the Trudeau's new appointment process has been completely secretive.  Indeed, almost as secretive as allegations concerning government cover-ups about “little green men”.

Just about everything associated with the most recent application deadline of 25 January 2017 has been kept a secret.

The public has been kept in the dark about who applied.  Candidates themselves have also been kept in the dark on other Canadians who have applied.

When dialing the toll free number for the Senate Independent Advisory Committee, they will tell you little more than “Keep checking the website for when the Prime Minister makes his announcement.”

If you don't believe me, try calling them yourself and email us if you got a different answer - 1-888-854-1806

People answering the phone reveal that they are not allowed to provide any other information about the process, including its stage.

Apparently, the last round of Senate appointments weren't even subjected to any formal interview process.  Canadians sent in their application and were somehow eventually announced as new Senators by the Prime Minister as a result of an apparent mysterious process which has been kept under lock and key from public scrutiny.

In my view, nothing ressembling democratic reform can come from a process mired in such secrecy that is chosen by one individual.

Furthermore, how can it be said that such a process is responsible when such apparently imminently qualified candidates are not being screened for their respective personality and other traits that cannot be easily discerned from a CV.  Indeed, if you were choosing someone for a permanent position, wouldn't you want to meet them first?

Arguably, the new Senate appointment process in no apparent way rejuvenates the image and substance of the Senate as a democratically-inspired organization, and defies logic in the selection process of permanent positions.

The selection of new Senators is as controlled as it was ever before in the hands of  the presiding Prime Minister under even more secrecy than was associated with the former system of patronage appointments.