Harper Is Lost In Translation
Message from the Prime Minister
“We have committed to Canadians that accountability and ethics will be at the centre of our governing agenda. First and foremost, accountable government means leading by example. Our government must uphold the public trust to the highest possible standard, and this responsibility falls uniquely on all public office holders, beginning with Ministers.”
-Yes, it begins with Ministers. Ministers like David Emerson, who is accountable to their riding. So much so that they felt that even though they didn’t vote in a Conservative, they were much better off being serve by one. Our party must uphold the public trust…
-Foremost, accountable government means leading by example. Kids, you don’t have to actually run in an election to serve as a Minister. You just need friends in high places. Accountability falls uniquely on all public office holders… Fortier might not have been voted in by the public...but ah um, he’s from it…so that counts for something…
“The Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders is a critical component of accountable government. The objective of the Code is to provide guidance to all public office holders in the discharge of their official duties and responsibilities and, thereby, to provide assurance to Canadians that their government is acting in an accountable, ethical and transparent manner. This means acting always in accordance with both the principles and specific provisions of the Code.”
-The Post-Employment Code suggest always acting in accordance with principles and provisions of the code…speaking of Post-Employment…Mr. Ethics Commissioner…You’re fired.
“Numerous revisions have been made to the Code to strengthen it, including more stringent post-employment provisions. All the changes are intended to ensure that the Code reflects our commitments to Canadians and will complement the government’s broader ethics and accountability agenda”
-Yes, we promised you a 52 point plan before the election. But frankly, we had to make some changes since we actually won and don't want to limit ourselves. So I must apologize since the public will actually not be able to make complaints to the Ethics Commissioner. And I know I said I would put a 5 year ban on lobby actives by members…um, I would like to take this time to introduce my new Defence Minister..Gordon O’Connor.
“The release of this Code fulfills the statutory requirement, under the Parliament of Canada Act, that the Prime Minister establish “ethical principles, rules and obligations for public office holders.”
-Now that I have establish my rules of the game, I am going to fire the ethics commission and appoint another friend from an urban city. Who do I know in Toronto?….
This Code should be read in conjunction with Accountable Government: A Guide for Ministers, which sets out the core principles concerning the roles and responsibilities of Canada’s system of responsible Parliamentary government.
Stephen Harper
aka “Steve”
Prime Minister of Canada
posted by Sarah Wong at 12:48 AM
2 Comments:
holy, i didn't know there were that many liberal blogs. didn't even know yours existed.
The Real Story behind Harper, Emerson, Stronach and the Ethics Commissioner:
Funny how most people just do not get it. There are cries from the New Tories and their supporters that Harper should move on to other business, that the business of the new Parliament in April will be delayed by a sideshow, that the real work of governing needs to be attended to ...
Wrong, folks.
The 2006 election was about ethics in government. The New Tories under Harper made that a cornerstone of their campaign, and belaboured the Liberal government every chance they had on this issue.
The election results showed that the voters wanted a new system of ethics in Parliament, and were punishing the Liberals for their sense of entitlement, their indifference to voter's concerns, their tardiness in responding to ethical issues immediately they arose.
All the rest was peripheral.
The name of the game was ethics on the Hill, and Harper was sent to run the Hill and clean up Parliament. That was what the voters gave him a limited mandate to do, and what they expect him to do.
Now Harper has to deliver on his promises to clean up Parliament and party behaviour. And to behave ethically in doing so.
And Harper is failing in this task; failing with two rash appointments, failing with his refusal to obey the law with respect to the Ethics Commissioner. All the rest does not count. Hear me? All the rest does not count.
If Mr Clean does not clean up Ottawa, then the voters will send him packing as soon as they get the chance. It is as simple as that.
Do and act like you promised.
Post a Comment
<< Home