Give Elections Canada Audit Powers

Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch has a Letter to the Editor in this weeks’ edition of the Hill Times calling for Elections Canada to be given audit powers in dealing with political parties’ books. I could not agree more.

More on MP Integrity Awards

Good to see the Edmonton Journal Editorial Board also seeing the MP integrity awards as somewhere between pathetic and pitiful. My take on this hair-brained idea is in my post of September 1, 2007

Their front page story in the Edmonton Journal on Sunday September 2 deals with the serious negative implications for the Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector from the pending Bill 1 Lobbyists Act in Alberta. This legislation is a good idea that has gone too far. Full disclosure - I helped write the position paper for Volunteer Alberta and did an editorial of my own on it on our affiliate website Policy Channel. You can read the entire document on Policy Channel in the Community Theme area.

An Award for Political Honesty and Integrity is Disturbingly Orwellian

Has our respect for our federal governors declined so far that we now need to have an award of recognition for a parliamentarian “…who slug their guts out on behalf of their constituents in a very honest, forthright way with high integrity, don't get recognized for it…?”

Has it now come to the point where honesty and integrity are considered such unique character qualities of our elected representatives that they deserve special recognition?

Such character qualities ought to be taken for granted in those to whom we entrust our environment, our economy, our community, or future prosperity, and even our public safety and security as a nation. We empower and delegate power to these people who we elect and endow with our consent to be governed. We expect them to make some of our toughest and most critical decisions as a society - like going to war and putting other citizens we call soldiers in harms way. We expect them to steward our environment and help enable our prosperity.

If we have to hand out awards for basic honesty and integrity as a basis to recognize outstanding parliamentarians, we are electing the wrong kind of people in the first place.

George Orwell: "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."

Have we descended so far into an Orwellian reality that this quote reflects our times? In a democracy we always get the kind of government we deserve because we are the ones who choose it.

Harper Deserves Credit on Mental Health Commission

OK - when Mr. Harper gets it right we need to say so. This time he has done just that...gotten it right. The big event today is the announcement today of the National Mental Health Commission. Look ignored and swept under the policy carpet -Canadians with mental health issue needs attention and support...as do their families.

More kudos for Mr. Harper for appointing former Liberal Senator Michael Kirby to head it up. the Kirby Commission on health reform coming out of the Senate was the most comprehensive, intelligent and practical review of heath care reform for the country.

So one example of a nonpartisan, non patronage appointment does not absolve but it is evidence of hope for enlightened change from other recent appointments.

Good on ya Mr. Prime Minister.

Wrap-Up of an Interesting Week

It and been an interesting week where issues posted in this Blog have changed and evolved.

Why Trust Harper?
Harper flaunts his campaign promise to set up a public appointments commission to take patronage and partisanship out of federal appointments (see Aug 30 post). This past week he rigs the Bank of Canada replacement process and follow that up with Conservative and former Mulroney MP and PEI Premier and loyal Harper election campaigner, Mr. Pat Binns as Ambassador to Ireland. Tacky Mr Prime Minister …very tacky!

Feds Face the Supreme Court on Allegations of Breach of Trust for First Nations.
The SCC has agreed to hear an appeal by a number of Bands over mismanagement and breach of trust over oil and gas revenues belonging to the from reserve lands. (See posting August 30).At least three actions are involved in this matter. By the time this get to court Harper will realize just how much he needs and misses Jim Prentice in these issues. Expect the new Ministers involved, the Hon. Chuck Strahl to make stupid comments any day now.

Harper’s Version of Ad-scam is Getting a Life of Its Own.
The Globe and Mail Editorial Board is writing today about this Harper hypocrisy and in the same context as our postings of August 29 and 30. This election advertising scheme and the litigious response by Harper is a crystallizing moment. He is going to pay in public trust and credibility. He has also abused volunteer campaign workers by putting some of them at least as parties to a law suit they did not even know was happening. Arrogance they name is Harper.

Peter Lougheed Predicts and Defines a New Alberta/Ottawa Jurisdictional Fight.
Citizens are looking for statesmen with courage, conviction and character and with a concern for the nation. Peter Lougheed and Preston Manning have emerged as those kinds of people (Brian Mulroney not so much). Expect the Lougheed speech to the Canadian Bar Association AGM this week to be a milestone in the evolving reality of and integration of the environment and the economy. If it turns into a pissing contest between Ottawa and Alberta we will all be the lesser for it.

It has been quite a week. I can't wait until the next one starts.