Nine New Senators

Paul Martin has appointed 9 new senators to Canada's unelected upper chamber, including 6 Liberals, 2 PCs and 1 NDP (first one ever). The list includes retired General Romeo Dallaire, of Rwanda genocide fame, and disgraced former cabinet minister Art Eggleton. The rest of the list include long time Martin backers, so the Senate continues in it's tradition of being the ultimate reward for political support and outlet for patronage in Canadian politics. None of the elected senators from Alberta were chosen. Instead, Martin nominated a former provincial cabinet minister under Tory premier Don Getty and a social activist, feminist, and two-time Ontario provincial candidate. Neither will sit in the new conservative party - they are Progressive Conservatives. Nice.