Wednesdays with @Kady replay: How would you redesign Parliament?

There's always plenty to chat about with Kady O'Malley.

On Wednesdays, CBCNews.ca's Politics blogger convenes a "people's caucus" to discuss and debate the issues of the week.

Tonight, two back to back votes in the Commons are set to play through some serious political tactics on the part of the NDP and the Bloc Qubcois.

Yesterday's Opposition day motion debate toabolish the Senatewas the NDP's chance to not only highlight its pro-abolition policy in light of thecurrent expenses scandal, but remind Canadians of theLiberals and Conservatives who have contributed to theSenate's shortcomings,past and present. But aside from the partisanship afoot, did it accomplish anything? Is abolition the answeror can it be reformed?

Bloc Qubcois MP Andr Bellavance's private member's bill to repeal the Clarity Act looks to be headed for a somewhat predictable defeat. But it's already accomplished what might have been itsintended goal: stirring up divisions in the NDP's Quebec caucus over nationalist issues. Last week, Jonquire-Alma MP Claude Patryswitched parties over it,and the party responded with arobocall campaign in his riding. Conservatives reminded the media that as many as 15 NDP MPs have acknowledged past nationalist ties and/or pro-sovereignty referendum votes. Will other members of the NDP caucus take advantage of leader Tom Mulcair's statement that the vote will not be whipped and vote with the Bloc this evening? Or will any grumbling stay quiet, resulting in a timely outbreak of Parliamentary flu and some vote abstentions?

All this, as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty prepares to unveil his 2013 budget, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley stands firm on EI reforms, and Defence Minister Peter MacKay continues to play defence overhis department's buying and spending habits.

This week, Alison Loat, the co-founder and executive director of Samara joined us as we considered the current state of play and asked: does Canadian politics need to be fixed? If so, how would you redesign Parliament?

• Read the Samara blog's recent poston this topic

Replay our earlier conversation: