The real scoop on federal leadership guidelines: unenforced: Feds’ ethics package unenforceable and rife with conflicts of interest, Canadians should question integrity
In 1993, the Liberal Party’s “governing with integrity” election platform quoted polls showing that 75 per cent of Canadians do not trust the federal government. The Liberals acknowledged that their ability to govern effectively depended on fulfilling their pledge to restore Canadians’ faith in political institutions. In June 1994, the Liberals introduced their ethics package […]
Italian judge who cracked corruption offers intriguing insight: Once upon a time, it was A.D. 1994, an Italian Judge, Antonio Di Pietro, arrived in Canada for a private visit
Many Canadians do not know who Judge Di Pietro is, but for many Italians and many people around the world, he is the person who crushed, at least temporarily, an elaborate scheme created by the political parties to funnel public money into the coffers of political parties and, after a little time, directly right into […]
Springtime in Washington, D.C., brings hot political energy talk: Canadian House Speaker Peter Milliken meets with U.S. House Speaker Denny Hastert on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Forget leaving it to the Prime Minister and the President, it’s time ordinary legislators on both sides of the border started to talk about energy. This was the message the third most powerful politician in America sent Commons Speaker Peter Milliken (Kingston and The Islands, Ont.) during a private meeting at the august U.S. […]
‘I wish to reassure MPs no new funds for human embryonic stem cell research will flow to researchers until April 2003’
When the Canadian Institutes of Health Research was created by Parliament two years ago this month, MPs in the House described their vision of CIHR as a proactive, strategic organization that would be more than just a funding agency, an agency that would: “excel, according to international standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of […]
Guardians of trust
“Senior public servants broke just about every rule in the book. I have referred this matter to the RCMP and I am undertaking a government-wide value-for-money audit of advertising and sponsorship programs of the Government of Canada,” declared Auditor General Sheila Fraser last week when she released her slim, but powerfully-worded report on how the […]
Canadians have been waiting almost 10 years for legislation governing cloning, surrogacy and embryonic stem cell research
Media reports in recent years have heralded a new age in medicine with advancements in stem cell research. Stem cells are being touted for their potential to regenerate human tissue and to provide cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. Stem cell research has given new hope to millions who suffer from […]
Innuendo and conjecture: Sen. Joyal
In his article published on April 22, “Welcome to The Chretien Senate: money and influence prevail,” Aaron Freeman does not seem to be really interested in the Senate but prefers relying on innuendo and conjecture. Where, he does seem to base his analysis on fact, is often simply wrong. Cloaking himself in the reasonable proposition […]
Parliament must determine ethical limits to medical research: U.S. has decided not to fund stem cell research which would require the destruction of human embryos
In January 2001, the president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) stated: “It is not the role of scientists to determine the ethical limits to research or the application of genetic knowledge to the delivery of public health. That is the role of legislatures and the public.” Notwithstanding this clear position and the […]
It’s outrageous! Rock files complaint with PCO and PMO
Okay, who leaked?… I hear that Industry Minister Allan Rock has filed a formal request with the PCO and PMO for an inquiry into how his letter to cabinet colleagues on a backup plan to the Kyoto Protocol agreement got leaked to the media. It was supposed to be a confidential memo to cabinet colleagues, […]
Himelfarb likely to play a peacemaker role amongst Liberals: New Clerk of the Privy Council Alex Himelfarb, cultural guru of the town, takes over this week
Alex Himelfarb, newly-appointed Clerk of the Privy Council Office and now the most powerful bureaucrat in the land, is likely to play a peacemaker role in the Liberal Party through his personal friendship with Eddie Goldenberg, one of the Prime Minister’s closest advisers, says a top Liberal strategist. Mr. Himelfarb, most recently the deputy minister […]
