The question is not whether the Senate can exert its constitutional powers, but when andhow.And motion tabled by Sen. Peter Hardersuggests at least one answer to the question of when.

As another Canadian summer brings another round of natural disasters, there is a risk of the political response to these calamities becoming rote. Thoughts and prayers are offered. An official response is mounted. Support for rebuilding is promised. And then the political discussion moves on.

While questions raised by the Toronto-St. Pauls byelection might hang over these Liberals for a while yet, they're also still in charge of a government with an actual agenda to implement and actual concerns to address between now and the next election whenever that might be.