Proroguing access to information

Though little known to ordinary Canadians, the information commissioner is considered an essential player in ensuring accountable, transparent democracy.

You would think that a government that made transparency and accountability the focus of their election in ‘06 would make sure we have a good commissioner in place.

Not so.

The federal office charged with prying the lid off government secrecy has been without a permanent leader since June and is unlikely to get one for several more months.  Critics argue the failure to swiftly replace this key watchdog is part of a pattern by Stephen Harper’s government of cloaking information from the public.

Understanding the role of the Commissioner explains why Steve would really rather not have one.  They kind of get in the way, like having a sitting Parliament does.  Two birds with one stone for Harper, here.  The appointment of the information commissioner has to be approved by the House and Senate, but since Stevo prorogued Parliament, this can't happen until March.  Then of course, there will simply be too much to do.

The lack of a permanent leader is “particularly troubling because of all the officers of Parliament, it is the access to information commissioner that has been most concerned about the performance of government vis a vis accountability and compliance with the law,” said Liberal MP Paul Szabo, former chairman of the Commons committee on access to information, privacy and ethics.

On Saturday, all across Canada, Canadians held rallies to protest prorogation and the general undermining of democracy this government is engineering.  This is yet another instance of Harper’s systematic attack on democracy. 

Col. Michel Drapeau, a lawyer with expertise in access to information, said he found the federal government’s delay in naming a permanent commissioner “disturbing.”  The government, he said, has not only hesitated to name a permanent information watchdog, but has also not replaced other key commissioners, such as the chair of the military police complaints commission. It only recently named an interim RCMP complaints commissioner.

“They all, in their own way, serve to enhance democracy and permit checks and balances within our system of government,” Drapeau said.

Several of us have been saying that for years.  The public service needs to be protected from Harper’s attacks.  Keen, Measner, Tinsley...getting rid of accountability and destroying democracy by slashing one public servant at a time.