[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

It's about bloody time:

Harper promises elected senators

VANCOUVER (CP) - Stephen Harper says a Conservative government will allow voters in Canada's provinces and territories to directly choose the country's senators.

Harper says a Senate seat should be occupied by someone with a democratic mandate, and that Canadians should be able to vote for senators as well as MPs. The Conservative leader pledged to put a national process in place for senatorial elections on an interim basis.

He also said a Conservative government would press forward in setting up fixed election dates every four years.

Once senators are elected, Harper says the government would press forward with a more comprehensive plan for Senate reform.

Harper called Canada's appointed Senate a relic of the 19th century.