Government Accountability - We Need a Champion

Government accountability is such a big issue and affects us so fundamentally it is difficult to figure out where to begin.  From both a federal and provincial standpoint, trust in politicians and bureaucrats is one of the cornerstones of our society, yet 95% of us don't trust our elected leaders.

And buried within that statistic is the fact that bureaucrats are supposed to be accountable to their elected leaders.  As Kevin Page tells us, the lack of transparency has now moved to the bureaucracy.  This attitude is not restricted to the federal level, but is evident in provincial politics also.

In the case of ONTC, the response to MPP Fedeli's request for information, indicates two very alarming trends.  

One, is the bureaucratic response to an elected representative's request for information.  Regardless of the perceived motives for that request, Mr. Fedeli is the elected representative of the people of Nipissing and, like all of us, is entitled to public information.  To determine that of 700 pages, 689 of them are too sensitive to be released and then to black out the 11 that are released, goes against reason.

Two, is the time period of the communications between ONTC and the Min of Finance.  The fact that 700 pages exist regarding Min. of Finance, ONTC and divestment during the runup to the last election, yet there was not a hint of it in the campaign is disturbing to say the least.  Either the Liberals were running on a platform of deception or they lacked the ability to control what the bureaucracy was up to.  

The trend toward secrecy has been documented by Star reporter Kevin Donovan and Edward Greenspon is not restricted to any one level or ministry.  Groups like Democracy Watch and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression are just the tip of the iceberg.  Remember that 95% number.  There is a need to restore the faith of the public in the political process and Justin Trudeau may well be the first champion of that cause.

On the provincial level, Mr. Hudak has taken a step towards accountability, with Path 10 in his New Deal for the Public Sector.  However, given his overall objective of gutting the public service first, it rings a little hollow.  I wonder if Ms. Wynne or Ms. Horvath would like to take up the banner?  There is a chance to connect with a large percentage of the voters for either one.