Published by Senator Joan Fraser on 30 January 2009
In your interesting Jan. 26 {Winnipeg Free Press} editorial about Senate appointments (Senate sniff test), you unfortunately perpetuate an old and unfair stereotype when you suggest that the Senate is seen as "a cushy retirement ground." On the contrary, I can assure you that the vast majority of senators work hard and seriously, as comments by newly appointed senators, including the latest batch, regularly attest. It would be foolish to claim that there have never been any lazy senators -- but then in my 31 years as a journalist, I came across the odd lazy journalist, too.
The key point is that the Senate case you cite as evidence occurred 10 years ago, and is still remembered precisely because it was such a flagrant exception from the norm.
Senator Joan Fraser
Ottawa