Which brings us back to point #3 - Harper had things he could have done to encourage Senate reform, starting with the provinces, and didn't do it. Not only did he not consult the Supreme Court, he also didn't get those provinces that were in favour of Senate reform to put forth any elected Senators for his consideration, which is as neat a way around the issue as any I could think of.

In the long run, Senate reform has to involve constitutional change, and I think the provinces are perfectly right in asking that Harper start with that. The election of nominees is a route for those provinces who want it, without forcing anything on the provinces that don't want it, but it's not a permanent solution.