Canadian PM appoints 18 new senators

OTTAWA, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Conservative Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his appointment of 18 new senators Monday in a move he said he didn't want to make.

Last week, Harper told CTV News it "was a sad day" for him, as he has been putting off filling the vacancies in the 105-seat chamber while pushing for reform that would see an elected rather than appointed senate. He also advocates an 8-year term replace the existing retirement age of 75.

Among the appointments were CTV broadcaster Mike Duffy, and former CTV journalist Pamela Wallin, who went on to serve as Canadian consul general in New York City.

All of the appointees are Conservative Party members but their numbers don't change the Liberal majority in the senate. The Liberals have 58 seats and the Conservatives now have 38. The balance are independents or non-aligned.

Harper said he made the appointments with the prospect a coalition of three opposition parties could vote down his minority government after a budget is presented Jan. 27.

"Our government will continue to push for a more democratic, accountable and effective Senate," Harper said in a statement. "If Senate vacancies are to be filled ... they should be filled by the government that Canadians elected rather than by a coalition that no one voted for."