- Harper, For Whom Truth Flows From the Spin of a Pen

Posted: 12:29 PM on October 11, 2010 Globe and Mail
Five years later, information access is still stalled,
gloria galloway and bill curry, Globe and Mail, Oct. 10, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/five-years-later-information-access-is-still-stalled/article1750812/ Tab 6

What about Harper's appointment of Nigel Wright as his chief of staff.

How would Canadians know if a person were actually and effectively being recused or had conflict of interest screens in place when appropriate while in the PMO office.

This article demonstrates that the Access to Information legislation does not have the teeth and its spirit and intent is so easily thwarted by Harper and the Con's.

The Accountability Act, a showcase legislation of Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada - and we can see why they are so pleased with themselves, cannot be relied upon:

"In a special report to Parliament, [ then Access Commissioner John Reid] wrote that the Accountability Act will 'increase the government’s ability to cover up wrongdoing, shield itself from embarrassment, and control the flow of information'.”

Stephen Harper's press secretary, said ". . . will respect all of the rules". (see: Hill Times, 11 Oct.'10)

But this is coming from the office of the PM who 'makes his own rules'.

So, the question is whose rules will be respected, those founded in the law or those founded in Harper.

If Harper respected Parliament; respected the legislation; respected the right of all Canadians to be given the truth and forthwith without stonewalling, obstruction, obscuration, obfuscation, and without MEPing; and, for whom truth does not flow from the spin of a pen.

Then, people could have some confidence in the actuality and effectiveness of this recusing, some confidence when Harper says they will "respect all of the rules".

We will likely never know if there are actual conflicts and Harper would fight bitterly to prevent us from finding out and the Access and Accountability legislation can't help.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html