Answer to my letter of concern

Tom Mulcair Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns about unethical and anti-democratic behaviour in Canadian politics. Please know that New Democrats share your concerns. Like you, we are frustrated

To

hawkins_bobby@yahoo.ca

Jun 26 at 11:29 AM

Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns about unethical and anti-democratic behaviour in Canadian politics.

Please know that New Democrats share your concerns.  Like you, we are frustrated by the undue influence of well-connected, well-funded lobbyists that further undermines our democracy. Since taking office, the Conservatives have done everything in their power to obstruct Parliament and the opposition parties, shut down debate, and obfuscate the truth.

Canadians deserve better. An NDP-led government will put a stop to these bad practices and work to clean up Ottawa.

First, we believe it is time to give – all – of the parliamentary watchdogs the proper authority to hold the government to account. We will give the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) order making powers to demand financial documents from Federal departments. We will give the Privacy Commissioner order making powers to ensure that the privacy rights of Canadians are protected. Further, we will ensure that both government and private corporations who collect data on Canadians are obliged to make mandatory breach notifications to the Commissioner. We will give the Access to Information Officer order making powers to ensure that federal departments and agencies meet their obligations under the Access of Information Act. And we will give the Ethics Commissioner the power to administer financial penalties for breaches of the Act.

We know even more can be done to improve government accountability. That is why we support:

- making it an offence to place fraudulent calls during elections

- enshrining Ministerial accountability guidelines into law

- closing the loopholes and strengthening the restrictions around fundraising for Ministers, Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries

- empowering the Ethics Commissioner and the Lobbying Commissioner to continue investigations that were initially referred to the RCMP

- extending the Conflict of Interest Act to cover all Ministerial staff

- prohibiting public appointees from making political contributions

- clarifying and toughening post-employment and secondary employment rules (e.g. paid speaking engagements) for MPs and Senators

- limiting all Senate travel and spending to matters strictly pertaining to Senate review of legislation and committee work. No more partisan travel and events

- allowing individual Canadians to bring complaints to the Ethics Commissioner, not just MPs

- expanding the definition of a conflict of Interest to include "an apparent conflict of interest.

NDP Critic for Ethics Charlie Angus is working to advance these issues in Parliament and in Committee. Read more about Charlie's work here: http://charlieangus.ndp.ca/.

Let's work together for a more accountable, open, and transparent government!

Again, I appreciate hearing from you.

All the best,

Tom Mulcair, M.P. (Outremont)

Leader of the Official Opposition

New Democratic Party of Canada

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