Prime Minister Harper calls the Supreme Court ruling on Senate reform a ”decision for the status quo” that virtually ”no Canadian” can support.

That said the prime minister says the government will abide by the ruling.

In a unanimous decision, the high court says Harper’s hope to impose term limits on senators and create a ”consultative election” process to choose nominees cannot be done by the federal government alone.

Instead, such reforms would require constitutional changes approved by at least seven provinces – representing half the population.

The Supreme Court also says doing away with the Senate would require the unanimous consent of all 10 provinces,

Harper sought the legal advice after a number of provinces objected to Ottawa’s plans to proceed unilaterally with reform.