Government transparency

Committee report ignores huge loopholes in lobbying law

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Democracy Watch – May 18, 2012

Democracy Watch and the national Government Ethics Coalition called on the Conservative Cabinet to go further than the recommendations of the House Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee by changing the federal Lobbying Act and enforcement system in 10 key ways to finally end secret, unethical lobbying of the federal government.

The Act is so full of loopholes, it should be called the "Some Lobbying by Some Lobbyists Act." And even if all of the House Committee's recommended changes were made, secret and unethical lobbying would still be allowed because of huge loopholes in the law. All parties are to blame for this, because even though the New Democrats proposed some additional changes beyond the Committee's recommendations, their proposals also failed to address the loopholes.

Canadian banks received 'secret' bailout: Think-tank

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Peter Henderson – April 30, 2012

Canadians were never told the true cost of a $114-billion "secret bailout" for the country's biggest banks during the financial crisis, says a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. "We've had a false sense of security," said study author and CCPA economist David MacDonald.

"Ever since the global financial crisis struck in 2008, Canadians have been subjected to a constant refrain: Canada has the 'most sound banking system in the world,'" MacDonald writes in the report. "During the worst of the crisis - 2008 to 2010 - the official line was that Canada's banks did not require the extraordinary bailout measures that were being offered in other countries, particularly in the U.S.

'Secret' F-35 letter to AG's office downgraded later

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Tim Naumetz – May 9, 2012

A letter from the Public Works deputy minister revealing internal concern about sole-sourcing the $25-billion F-35 stealth jet project, while defending the decision against criticism from Auditor General Michael Ferguson, was originally classified as “secret” when it was sent to Mr. Ferguson last February.

The secret classification, which Mr. Ferguson’s office told The Hill Times on Wednesday would have prevented the auditor general’s office from using the information or revealing it, was downgraded two weeks later at the AG’s office’s request and resent with a lower security classification, according to a note at the bottom by Public Works deputy minister François Guimond.

World Press Freedom Day: our rights in Canada

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Arnold Amber – May 3, 2012

Today marks World Press Freedom Day. On this day, countries all around the world, from Burma, to Egypt, to Venezuela, are fighting to establish this fundamental cornerstone of democracy. These countries are not taking these crucial freedoms for granted.

But in Canada, a country most assume already has an unfettered press—how should we mark World Press Freedom Day? If we value press freedom, we all need to take a closer look at the state of these rights here at home. When we look beyond the words of the Charter to the daily reality for working journalists, we see a gradual erosion of freedoms. And our government is a contributing factor.

Canada's failing grade on Open Government

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The Economist – April 21, 2012

One of the five aims of the Open Government Partnership, a 55-country initiative strongly backed by the Obama administration, is “increasing corporate accountability”.

But a new report shows how poorly many in the partnership—including some that pride themselves on transparency—score on providing the legal name, official address, incorporation date and status, and other basic details of the companies they register.

Data may be not properly digitised, or available only for a fee, sometimes a fat one if copyrighted by commercial providers. Few countries provide data with a full open licence, allowing outside investigators and campaigners to slice, dice and reuse the information.

Media minders keep tabs on federal scientists

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Margaret Munro – April 23, 2012

Government media minders are being dispatched to an international polar conference in Montreal to monitor and record what Environment Canada scientists say to reporters.

The scientists will present the latest findings on everything from seabirds to Arctic ice and Environment Canada’s media office plans to intervene when the media approaches the researchers, Postmedia News has learned.

Media instructions, which are being described as a heavy-handed attempt to muzzle and intimidate the scientists, have been sent to the Environment Canada researchers attending the International Polar Year conference that started on Sunday and runs all week.

Door still too closed on open government, say advisers

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Stephanie Levitz – April 17, 2012

Some members of a high-level panel struck by the Conservatives to offer advice on increasing transparency in government say a recently-released open-door plan doesn't go far enough.

And at least one advocacy group continues to urge the international community to reject the proposal for open government that Canada presented Tuesday at a conference in Brazil. Developing a concrete plan on making government more transparent was a requirement for membership in the Open Government Partnership, an international effort Canada joined last year.

BC Lottery Corporation goes “all in” to avoid FOI requests

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BCLC appeals three of six FOI orders to BC Supreme Court

FIPA news release – March 14th, 2012

The BC Lottery Corporation REALLY doesn’t like to release information to Freedom of information requesters. Of all the 2,500+ public bodies covered by BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy act,it is proving to be the most reluctant and most litigious.

BCLC’s denial of six FOI requests went to hearings before the Information and Privacy Commissioner in the past year, with BCLC claiming a variety of exceptions to the rule that records must be released.

Rules could let Quebec corruption probe keep sessions secret

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René Bruemmer – April 7, 2012

Before it has even begun, concerns about the openness of the Charbonneau Commission into corruption in Quebec are emerging.

In an opinion piece published Friday, Mark Bantey, a Montreal lawyer specializing in media law, criticized the rules of procedure that will govern the public hearings into corruption. In contrast to Supreme Court of Canada rulings that specify public access to court cases and hearings can only be barred in exceptional cases, the commission's rules allow the possibility much of the testimony and evidence will be produced behind closed doors and forever hidden, Bantey said.

Wildrose pledges protection for Alberta government whistleblowers

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Jackie L. Larson – April 9, 2012

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith touted government transparency and accountability Monday, unveiling the last part of her five-pledge platform during an Alberta election campaign stop in Edmonton.

The proposed Alberta Accountability Act allows MLAs a free vote on every proposed law and gives voters the right to recall MLAs who put the interests of themselves or their party above the interests of their constituents.

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