Prime Minister promotes accountability

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was pleased to announce today the nomination of Gwyn Morgan as the first Chairperson of the new Public Appointments Commission.

“Gwyn Morgan is an outstanding Canadian and, throughout his career, has been a champion of transparency and ethics in the private and public sectors,” stated the Prime Minister.  “I am delighted that he has accepted this new challenge that will lead to more open, honest and accountable government for Canadians.  And, he has agreed to do it for $1 a year.”

Located within the Prime Minister’s portfolio, the Public Appointments Commission will be composed of a Chairperson and four Commissioners. They will be supported in their work by a small secretariat, which is currently being established.

In carrying out its mandate, the Commission will:

establish guidelines governing selection processes for Governor in Council appointments to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations;

approve the selection processes proposed by Ministers to fill vacancies within agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations for which they are responsible;

monitor, review and evaluate selection processes in order to ensure that they are implemented as approved; and,

provide an annual report to the Prime Minister, to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament, on the Government’s performance in following the code of practice.

The Public Appointments Commission is provided for in the Federal Accountability Act which was tabled in the House of Commons on April 11th, 2006.