P.E.I. lawyer to apply for vacant senate seat

Lawyer Aidan Sheridan of Marshfield, P.E.I., wants to be the Island's next senator and instead of putting his name out quietly through back channels, he's applying for the job and making it very public, holding an announcement to a small group of people Tuesday.

• P.E.I. Senate seat should be filled by end of year

• Senate faces an uncertain future out from under the party whip

The job is not really available yet, but Sheridan wants his intentions known and hopes to put the spotlight on the Senate.

It's like going to thehorse races, you always have a chance. Aidan Sheridan

"I think I can do the job, I would like to have a chance to do it, but also I want to make a statement as well," said Sheridan, a lawyer who has worked for Veterans Affairs and held various positions with government and the courts. Most of his career he has been a pension advocate for veterans. He is also a veteran of the army reserves.

Sheridan believes he should be considered for the vacant P.E.I. Senate seat previously held by Senator Catherine Callbeck, who retired in July 2014.

He also believes it'stime the Senate changesand he's hoping for more openness undera new federal process.

"If theprocess is going to change then there has to be some creativity to make it happen," he said.

He hopes others announce they will apply too, but said he doesn't really expect it. He'd also like to see more ordinary people in the upper chamber.

"You see a lot of former politicians, a lot of political insiders, some celebrities, sport and media celebrities. The Parliament of Canada should reflect the people of Canada," Sheridan opined.

'Mystery' process

In the past, many Senate appointments have been what UPEI political science professor Don Desserud calls "glorified patronage appointments."

"The appointment to the Senate and the procedure has always been a bit of a mystery ... It's never been clear exactly who gets appointed and why," said Desserud.

Prime Minister Trudeau is still in the early stages of reform to make the Senate more accountable and transparent a process that includes a new arm's-length advisory board to help him come up with and sort through potential candidates.

The nomination list would be non-binding and the PM will still have the ultimate say on senate appointments.

The new system will be "a little more transparent" than in the past, Desserud said but he still worries senate seats will be used as a political reward system.

• Senate advisory board's work for Trudeau appointments cost $170K

'Entrenched culture'

"That's a very entrenched culture, and that's going to be hard to change," Desserud said, adding he believes an elected Senate isneeded.

Sheridan hopes the new process will produce senators who are more accountable.

And he made some pledges if he is appointed he promised to post his voting record and expenses online, hold at least four town hall sessions on P.E.I. per year, and resign on the fifth anniversary of his appointment. He also promised to be non-partisan and never to fly business class.

He has informed provincial officials and his local MP of his intention to apply, but he won't have an avenue to do it until the permanentreform process unfolds, likely later this year.

"It's like going to a horse races or buying a lottery ticket, you always have a chance," he said when asked what he believes his chances are.

"Good on him, all the power to him, I think it's wonderful people want to be involved," said Dessserud, who hadn't heard of Sheridan before today.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS IDriver on trial for P.E.I. crash involving cyclist
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS ITrucking, tourism could be hit by ferry troubles