Tory's seat search narrows with Senate appointments

December 22, 2008 CTV News

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper didn't do Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory any favours with his 18 Senate appointments today.

There had been widespread speculation Harper would appoint a veteran Conservative member of the Ontario legislature to the Senate, freeing up a seat for Tory in the process.

But the two Senate vacancies from Ontario went to Conservative Party stalwart Irving Gerstein and arts patron Nicole Eaton.

Tory hasn't had a seat in the legislature since losing the 2007 Ontario election, and hasn't been able to convince one of his 25 caucus members to step aside for him.

Tory is out of the country, but said last week that he did not expected a Progressive Conservative member of the legislature would get a Senate appointment from Harper.

The beleaguered provincial leader admitted Friday that he would not meet his self-imposed Dec. 31 deadline to find a seat, but said he would finalize his plans and make an announcement on Jan. 9.

Broadcaster Mike Duffy and Olympic hero Nancy Greene were some of the others appointed to the upper chamber Monday by Harper in his biggest volley of patronage since becoming prime minister.

Senate appointees receive a $134,000 annual salary until they retire or reach age 75, followed by a very comfortable pension -- and both are indexed to inflation.