The proposed Federal Accountability Act (Bill C-2) — while not perfect — aims to change the way business is conducted in the nation’s capital. The goings-on of lobbying, ethical oversight, appointments, government contracts, political party donations and advertising will be subject to clearer rules and greater transparency. Protection for whistleblowers will be established and the power and scope of the auditor-general and ethics commissioner will be enhanced.
Bill C-2 received overwhelmingly support in the democratically-elected lower chamber by all parties, yet has been stalled in the un-elected Senate. This is a slap in the face to voters.
The Liberal-dominated upper chamber sent Bill C-2 back to the House of Commons with more than 100 amendments including wholesale modifications that gut the bill. They include:
Rejecting a single ethics watchdog for all parliamentarians;
Increasing the maximum donation amount to political parties from the proposed $1,000 to $2,000;
Grandfathering existing political staff from new provisions that disallow them to jump the queue for jobs in the public service;
Reducing the investigation times into election and lobbying infractions to 2 and 5 years respectively from the proposed 5 and 10 years;
Further weakening Canada’s Access to Information law by removing the Wheat Board and exempting the records of Liberal-created foundations; and
Delaying the law’s enactment one year.
NDP MP Pat Martin has been rightly critical, “The Senate isn’t supposed to undermine and sabotage the will of the House. It’s a declaration of war by the Senate.”
In the past, your CTF has urged supporters to write letters to politicians. This time however we’re urging you to write letters to newspapers in a campaign to put Senate reform — and by extension accountable government — at the top of the public’s agenda.
Gutting of the Accountability Act coupled with a recent junket to Dubai are just two examples of arrogant, out of control lawmakers that need to be reigned in. Fully one-quarter of Canada’s lawmakers remain political appointees. Enough is Enough! Write a letter to your local newspaper today and help build public support for Senate reform.
Bill C-2 received overwhelmingly support in the democratically-elected lower chamber by all parties, yet has been stalled in the un-elected Senate. This is a slap in the face to voters.
The Liberal-dominated upper chamber sent Bill C-2 back to the House of Commons with more than 100 amendments including wholesale modifications that gut the bill. They include:
Rejecting a single ethics watchdog for all parliamentarians;
Increasing the maximum donation amount to political parties from the proposed $1,000 to $2,000;
Grandfathering existing political staff from new provisions that disallow them to jump the queue for jobs in the public service;
Reducing the investigation times into election and lobbying infractions to 2 and 5 years respectively from the proposed 5 and 10 years;
Further weakening Canada’s Access to Information law by removing the Wheat Board and exempting the records of Liberal-created foundations; and
Delaying the law’s enactment one year.
NDP MP Pat Martin has been rightly critical, “The Senate isn’t supposed to undermine and sabotage the will of the House. It’s a declaration of war by the Senate.”
In the past, your CTF has urged supporters to write letters to politicians. This time however we’re urging you to write letters to newspapers in a campaign to put Senate reform — and by extension accountable government — at the top of the public’s agenda.
Gutting of the Accountability Act coupled with a recent junket to Dubai are just two examples of arrogant, out of control lawmakers that need to be reigned in. Fully one-quarter of Canada’s lawmakers remain political appointees. Enough is Enough! Write a letter to your local newspaper today and help build public support for Senate reform.
Comment