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Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz
That being said, there's nothing stopping Harper from simply appointing more Senators. There is nothing in the constitution that says there has to be X number of Senators.
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Sure there is.
Canada is devided into regions, and there are a maximum number of Senators from any region. Within each region, there is a standard number by province (I don't recall if that is by rule or by custom). Nfld isn't part of a region since they joined Confederation late, but they get 6 senators (same as BC, AB, SK & MB who together are the West Region), and each Territory gets 1.
However, you are right about Mulroney. There is a provision to allow 4 or 8 additional Senators to be appointed, with the approval (rubberstamp) of the Governor General. In 1990, Mulroney appointed appointed 8 Senators to ensure the passage of the GST.
Edit: Snakeeye beat me to it