Democracy Watch called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) to enforce the rule in his Open and Accountable Government code for ministers that prohibits ministers from fundraising from department stakeholders. Democracy Watch also called on federal Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson to issue a ruling prohibiting politicians from taking part in private, exclusive fundraising events because they violate … Read more
Democracy Watch called on the Ontario and B.C. ethics commissioners, and to every ethics commissioner in Canada (federal, provincial and territorial), to issue rulings prohibiting politicians from taking part in private fundraising events because they violate the rules in conflict-of-interest laws across Canada that prohibit politicians from accepting gifts connected with their positions. “Big donations made at … Read more
In response to the announcement of the members of the Liberals’ new Senate appointment advisory board, Democracy Watch called for changes to make the board actually independent and non-partisan. And while some parts of the merit-based criteria for being nominated by the board are good, they still contain the discriminatory constitutional requirements that senators be at … Read more
In response to the announcement of the Liberals’ new Senate appointment advisory board, Democracy Watch called for changes to make the board actually independent and non-partisan. “To make the proposed Senate appointment advisory board actually independent and non-partisan not just the Liberals but also at least a majority of federal party leaders must approve a majority … Read more
Democracy Watch released its Report Card on the Federal Parties’ 2015 Democratic Reform Platforms. The Liberals and NDP tied with a B – matching the best mark Democracy Watch has ever given in its Report Card – as they each promised about 75 democracy changes. The Greens lost marks for vague promises in a couple … Read more
Democracy Watch launched its Stop Unfair Post-Election Actions letter-writing campaign that calls on Governor General David Johnston and federal political party leaders to issue public statements before election day agreeing to 7 fair post-election rules that will prevent a crisis like the one that happened after the 2008 election. More information is available online.
Democracy Watch announced that it will launch a private prosecution of the Conservative Party officials who arranged the robocalls to voters in many ridings across Canada that misled them concerning the location of their polling station. “The Commissioner of Canada Elections and Director of Public Prosecutions have clear evidence that the Conservatives made election robocalls that misled voters, which … Read more
Democracy Watch called on the Senate to stop playing games and pass the Reform Act, Bill C-586 this week. On Friday two Conservative senators – David Wells backed by Denise Batters – proposed an amendment to the Reform Act that will likely be voted on late Monday. If the change passes it will effectively stop the bill … Read more
Democracy Watch called on the Senate to stop playing games and pass the Reform Act, Bill C-586 this week. On Friday two Conservative senators – David Wells backed by Denise Batters – proposed an amendment to the Reform Act that will likely be voted on late Monday. If the change passes it will effectively stop the bill … Read more
Democracy Watch welcomed the 75 democracy and government access and accountability promises made by the federal Liberal Party. “While the federal Liberals’ democracy and government accountability promises put them in the lead compared to the other parties in this key area of voter concern, some of their promises lack details and many promises are missing in key … Read more
