Democracy Watch congratulated Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) on becoming leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, and called on him not only to keep the democratic reform promises he made during the campaign but also to make many more changes that a large majority of Canadians support in keeping his commitments to “reform our political … Read more
Democracy Watch released the complaint it has filed with federal Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson alleging that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) recent decisions and by-election call for the riding of Labrador helped his Conservative friend Peter Penashue’s private career interest in being re-elected in a way that violates the Conflict of Interest Act. … Read more
Democracy Watch said it is pleased with the fact that the information commissioner has officially confirmed they will conduct a full investigation into the muzzling of federal government scientists by the federal government. The complaint was filed by Democracy Watch in collaboration with the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Clinic over new federal government policies … Read more
Democracy Watch announced that it is preparing a court challenge of the federal conservatives’ illegal appointment of the parliamentary librarian as the interim parliamentary budget officer (PBO), and launched a national letter-writing campaign to make the PBO a fully independent and fully empowered watchdog. As well, Democracy Watch called on provincial and territorial governments to establish … Read more
Democracy Watch said that given that Conservative minister Peter Penashue has resigned from his seat as a result of his campaign taking illegal donations and exceeding the campaign expense limit, it will be dangerously undemocratic if Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) calls a by-election before the commissioner of Canada Elections' investigation is completed … Read more
Democracy Watch filed a complaint with the commissioner of Canada Elections at Elections Canada about the several federal Liberal leadership race candidates who made “loans” to themselves to enter the race in amounts that exceed the legal contributions set out in the Canada Elections Act. The full release is available online. Call 613-241-5179.
Democracy Watch called for key changes to give the auditor generals across Canada, and the federal parliamentary budget officer (PBO), the independence, mandate and powers needed to ensure honesty in government and politician spending. As well, Democracy Watch called on provincial and territorial governments to establish PBOs that also cover municipal governments in each jurisdiction. … Read more
Democracy Watch and the Government Ethics Coalition called on all governments to pass strong, clear, transparent ethics rules for all politicians, political staff, Cabinet appointees and government officials, along with strengthening enforcement, and establishing mandatory high penalties for violations. Democracy Watch’s and the coalition’s submission to the federal House ethics committee, prepared by Duff Conacher, … Read more
With federal Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson testifying at committee, Democracy Watch and the national Government Ethics Coalition called on the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee to require commissioner Dawson to disclose a summary of the more than 80 complaints she has rejected since 2007 with secret rulings. More information is … Read more
In its submission and testimony before the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee, Democracy Watch and the national Government Ethics Coalition called on the committee to recommend strengthening the federal Conflict of Interest Act and members of Parliament and senators ethics codes, and enforcement system, in 30 key ways (and changing … Read more
