The country’s Information and Privacy Commissioners have come out against the secretive Harper government – and to Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, they have stated the case that while other nations are moving towards more open and accountable federal governments, ours remains one of the most unaccountable and secretive in Canada’s history.
“The Commissioners rightly point out that governments around the world are recognizing the value of sharing information with the public in accessible, open formats – and here we are in Canada with a government going in precisely the opposite direction,” said Ms. Jennings, the party’s Government Ethics and Democratic Reform Critic.
“As Stephen Harper shows nothing but contempt for Canadians by shutting them out of the democratic process – out of his public events, out of public policy debate, out of access to information that they have every right to access – Liberals know that Canadians are crying out for their elected officials to listen to and respect them.”
The Commissioners, representing federal, provincial and territorial governments, have called on Stephen Harper to strengthen government openness and transparency by engaging in proactive disclosure of information and embracing the principle of “open government.”
This is a shift they say is occurring in other nations such as the United States, where President Barack Obama has made it easier for Americans to get access to information, usually online. Meanwhile, government leaders in Britain and Australia have also recently endorsed the idea. Federal Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault, said there is a “thirst” amongst the Canadian public for more open government. (Regina Leader-Post, Sept. 2, 2010)
“This Stephen Harper’s legacy in the minds of Canadians – secretive, non-transparent, intimidating,” said Ms. Jennings. “From showing contempt towards police and victims over the gun registry, to proroguing Parliament in order to muzzle debate on Afghanistan, to scrapping the long-form census, Canadians are sick and tired of the dictatorial approach of this government.”
While Stephen Harper tours the country from behind tinted car windows, attending scripted, invitation-only events, Liberals are embarking on a series of weekly “open mike” town halls in communities across the country.
“These town halls, which will also have a live, online component, will be unscripted opportunities for every Canadian to share their views and ask questions about the issues that matter to them,” said Ms. Jennings. “Unlike Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, Liberals want to talk to Canadians and create opportunities for them to engage in public policy.”
