Harper calls for immediate suspension of three Senators

CALGARY – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is going on the offensive in the Senate expense scandal, devoting some time in a major speech to try to shift some of the blame on the Liberals.
Harper’s prepared speech to the Conservative policy conference in Calgary on Friday said it’s time for the Liberals to do the right thing and move to suspend three Senators at the heart of the scandal.
He accused Liberal senators of blocking the effort to suspend Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau without pay, even though some Conservatives have also expressed concern about the action.
The government leadership in the Senate moved to adjourn debate early on Thursday until next week after failing to push the suspension bid through.
Harper’s speech was widely seen as a key step in getting a battered Conservative party off the ropes after months of damage from revelations from the Senate scandal.
His attempt to place blame on the Liberals didn’t dominate the speech, which mostly focused on his government’s record.