‘It’s an exciting time’ to be a federal public servant: PCO Clerk Lynch
Privy Council Clerk Kevin Lynch says it’s an exciting time to be a federal public servant in the 21st Century, but as Canada renews its organization and recruits the next generation of public servants, it must “make excellence its quest”and it must do a better job of recruiting, retaining, planning and transferring knowledge. Moreover, Mr. […]
MacLeod returns to Hill as Skelton’s
Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification Carol Skelton has hired a veteran former Conservative Hill staffer as her director of communications. Fiona MacLeod, who is on a leave of absence from the Transport Department, started her new job in the minister’s office as director of communications last Tuesday, April 18. Born […]
Praise and criticism of proposed Federal Accountability Act are both exaggerated
Media outlets and commentators on the so-called “Federal Accountability Act” (Bill C-2) introduced by the new federal Conservative government have, unfortunately, been exaggerating the good effects of the act or offering unlikely, worst-casescenario criticisms (and sometimes both). Some have called the act “a recipe for true accountability” while others have criticized it as “overkill” that […]
“The speculation is that if Prime Minister Stephen Harper can pass three of his five priorities before the next election, the Conservatives can win a majority. Correct or not correct?”
Mike Storeshaw Conservative strategist “Yay! Speculation is fun! Unfortunately, it’s not all that helpful to do, whether you’re in opposition or government, so I’ll avoid jumping on the bandwagon here. “What I will say is that all five of the government’s key priorities are concrete, tangible initiatives that enjoy wide public support. I hope that […]
Now for some good news…
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who promised to bring in more accountability and transparency to government, resumes the House of Commons this week as he moves into a critical part of his agenda between now and the summer break. Prime Minister Harper came up short on his Federal Accountability Act, indeed. However, there is still some […]
Forget crossing the floor legislation, maybe we should look at India’s formula for amending its Constitution
The recent raft of floor-crossings in our House of Commons has spurred some honourable members to propose legislation that would force MPs wishing to change parties in mid-Parliament (or, if you’re David Emerson, at the early onset of post-election blues) to first consult with the electorate by resigning and contesting a byelection. When compared to […]
Don’t discount Volpe in Grit leadership race: Wiseguys
Accountability POWERS: In what is supposed to be my real and full-time job, I am a lobbyist. See I can say it. Indeed it is not a deep dark confession and the job is generally one I enjoy. So far I have not been disowned by my family for this career choice. The public should […]
Some media mourn federal Liberals’ defeat, focus on Grit leadership
They say a human being pushed head-first from an airplane will achieve a constant speed of 300 km/hour-the point at which friction and gravity achieve near-perfect balance. What leadership campaign does this remind you of? Like a man without a parachute, Liberals have the exhilarating sensation of wind in their hair in a perfectly-balanced plunge […]
FAA ushers in sweeping new changes to doing politics
As well, the New Access to Information Act could cost $120-million more than it does today. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s massive omnibus Federal Accountability Act promises to usher in bold and sweeping changes to campaign financing, lobbying and whistleblowing and to make federal deputy ministers more accountable to Parliament. Moreover, implementing a new Access to […]
Conservative Prime Minister Harper’s highly-touted federal Accountability Act a recipe for more broken rules
Rule One in the national capital is that rules are made to be broken. From the most stringent election statute to the most flaccid regulation, rules crack under the weight of self-interest and are then reshaped by the law of unintended consequences. A short stroll down memory lane is a reminder of how things work-or […]
