One way to maintain control is to keep your secrets close. Simply, shut down the flow of information and plug the leaks. Harper has done just that with the Access to Information Agency, the Public Sector Integrity Commission and chastising of career diplomat, Richard Colvin, and firing of whistleblower, Luc Pomerleau.
- Richard Colvin, Canadian diplomat
Documents show ‘harperization’ of government communications
Ottawa (29 Nov 2011) - Industry Canada took nearly nine months to deliver documents based on the access request, ignoring statutory deadlines for releasing the records. The Information Commissioner deemed a complaint by The Canadian Press about the delay to be well-founded, determining the department had refused to provide access under the Act.
“'Harper Government’ is not in line with the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, so I have modified it,” wrote a member of Industry Canada’s communications branch after PCO sent back an altered release.
Public Sector Integrity Commissioner suddenly retires
Ottawa (18 October 2010) - The Federal Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Christiane Ouimet's office released two statements within moments of each other announcing it was being audited by Auditor-General Sheila Fraser, and that Ouimet had retired, effective two days previous.
Feds still lacking 'watch dog'
Ottawa (23 January 2010) - 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.
How Harper is circumventing democracy in Canada
Ottawa (11 Jan., 2010) - Toronto Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin takes a sobering look at the crude political manner in which democratic institutions and practices are being subverted in Canada by Stephen Harper.
Tories' antics weakening role of Parliament
Ottawa (27 March, 2010) - The increasingly disgraceful shenanigans on Parliament Hill have caused Canadians to turn off politics in record numbers. This is a dangerous trend.
President’s Commentary: Stephen Harper is diminishing Canada's international reputation
Ottawa (27 Nov., 2009) - NUPGE president James Clancy says Harper is changing Canada so radically that we could lose more than our good name – already badly damaged on the world stage. "We just might lose Canada altogether," he writes.
Whistle-blowing, public appointments, conflicts offices have no influence
Ottawa (13 July 2009) - Instead of strengthening transparency and accountability, Harper appoints Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, Christiane Ouimet, who maintains status quo, protecting only a few whistle blowers. Her office has investigated a mere three disclosures in the first year of operations. No challenges, no rocking the boat. Exactly the kind of Integrity Commissioner the Harper government likes.
Demand reinstatement of fired food safety inspector
Ottawa (28 July 2008) - Earlier this month, we sent out a news story about Luc Pomerleau, a biologist "with a 20-year 'unblemished record' in government," according to a CanWest news article, who "was fired [in early July] for 'gross misconduct' and breaching security because he sent the documents to his union."
Arar report censorship meant to protect American security establishment
Toronto (16 August 2007) - Harper likely involved in decisions meant to protect allies - Arar lawyer says.
Tories kill access to information database
Ottawa (2 May 2008) - The federal Conservatives have quietly killed an access to information registry used by journalists, experts and the public that users say helped hold the government accountable.
