| Commitment |
Proposed Action |
|
Reform the financing of federal political parties
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- New limits on individual donations to parties and candidates
- A ban on contributions from corporations, unions and organizations to parties and candidates
- A longer period to prosecute violations under the Canada Elections Act
|
|
Ban secret donations to political candidates
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A ban on candidates accepting gifts that might be seen as influencing them
- A ban on transferring trust-fund money to candidates or political parties
- Powers for the new Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to order that trusts not be used for political purposes or be wound up
|
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Strengthen the role of the Ethics Commissioner
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A new Conflict of Interest Act
- Functions of the Ethics Commissioner and Senate Ethics Officer combined to create a new position, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner
- The new Commissioner, an individual with a judicial or quasi-judicial background, with powers to fine violators and consider public complaints
- A ban on voting by ministers on matters connected to their business interests
- An end to the use of "venetian blind" trusts
|
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Toughen the Lobbyist Registration Act
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A five-year ban on lobbying for ministers, ministerial staffers and senior public servants
- A ban on the payment and receipt of success or contingency fees
- Requirements that contacts with senior public-office holders be recorded
- A new, independent Commissioner of Lobbying with a strong mandate to investigate violations under the new Lobbying Act and Lobbyists' Code of
Conduct
|
|
Ensure truth in budgeting with a Parliamentary Budget Authority
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A new Parliamentary Budget Officer to support Members of Parliament and parliamentary committees with independent analysis of economic and fiscal issues
- Quarterly updates of government fiscal forecasts from the Department of Finance
|
|
Make qualified government appointments
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A consistent appointment process for Agents and Officers of Parliament with a meaningful role for Parliament
- A new Public Appointments Commission to oversee appointments to agencies, boards, and commissions
- An end to priority treatment for ministerial aides when they apply for public-service positions
|
|
Clean up the procurement of government contracts
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A legislated commitment to fairness, openness, and transparency in the procurement process
- Inclusion of integrity provisions in all government contracts
- A Procurement Auditor to review procurement practices on an ongoing basis
- A Code of Conduct for Procurement
|
|
Clean up government polling and advertising
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A requirement to publicly release, in writing, polling findings within six months
- A ban on verbal-only reports
- A legislated commitment to fairness, openness, and transparency in the procurement process for advertising and public opinion research
|
|
Provide real protection for whistleblowers
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A Public Sector Integrity Commissioner with the power to enforce the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act
- A new, independent tribunal with the power to order remedies and discipline
- Expanded whistleblower protection for all Canadians who report government wrongdoing
- More public information on wrongdoing
|
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Strengthen access to information legislation
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- Expansion of Access to Information Act coverage to include:
- Seven Agents and Officers of Parliament: the Offices of the Information Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, the Commissioner of Official Languages, the
Chief Electoral Officer, the Auditor General, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, and the Commissioner of Lobbying
- Seven Crown corporations: Canada Post, Via Rail, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Atomic Energy of Canada, Export Development Canada, the National
Arts Centre, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board
- Three foundations: Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology, and the Canada Millennium Scholarship
Foundation
- A draft bill that reflects the Information Commissioner's recommendations and a discussion paper tabled for consideration and debate
|
|
Strengthen the power of the Auditor General
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- New powers for the Auditor General to audit individuals and organizations that receive federal money
- Ongoing departmental reviews of granting programs enshrined in law
- An independent blue-ribbon panel to identify barriers to access for recipients of government grants and contributions programs
|
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Strengthen auditing and accountability within departments
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- Designation of deputy ministers as accounting officers
- A clear process to resolve disputes between ministers and deputy ministers
- Strengthened internal audit functions within departments
- Strengthened governance structures in Crown corporations
- Tougher penalties for fraudulent misuse of public funds
- A consistent approach to promote legal and policy compliance and enforce disciplinary measures
|
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Create a Director of Public Prosecutions
Fact Sheet | Action Plan
|
- A new, independent Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute criminal offences under federal law
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