Tories Deny Plans to De-fang

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080430/...atchdogs_muzzle

The Harper government promises it won't force the watchdogs of Parliament to seek its permission before barking from now on.

It downplayed concerns voiced this week by the most famous of those watchdogs - Auditor General Sheila Fraser - who cited evidence such a plan is afoot.

Fraser is the woman who blew open the Liberal sponsorship scandal and she told a parliamentary committee this week about a draft proposal on communications policy that she finds problematic.

The draft proposal would place officers of Parliament on the list of people who need to have their communications vetted by the bureaucratic wing of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office.

That would mean the head of Elections Canada, and the privacy, information, ethics and official languages commissioners - would all need to get approval to speak publicly.

Treasury Board President Vic Toews said Wednesday that the government respects the independence of parliamentary officers and would not violate that spirit of independence.

The Auditor-General is worried that this is part of the plan the Tories have been working on.

Toews tried to reassure but this is what she said in reply.

On Wednesday, Fraser said in an interview she likes the guarantees she's hearing from Toews.

But she said government guidelines are sometimes laden with grey areas.

"When the government issues a policy, it says that it applies to all departments," Fraser told The Canadian Press.

"There is no distinction between officers of Parliament and other agencies or departments. However, sometimes there are in the policies clauses that are inappropriate...for an independent agent."

Given the control aspects that Harper tries to instill, perhaps we are going to see further screws tightened on regulatory boards and agencies where they all need permission of the PMO to speak. Perhaps Environment Canada will have to get permission to speak in advance before they can give a weather report.

[Wilber]

Given the control aspects that Harper tries to instill, perhaps we are going to see further screws tightened on regulatory boards and agencies where they all need permission of the PMO to speak. Perhaps Environment Canada will have to get permission to speak in advance before they can give a weather report.

If so it will come back to bite them. There isn't a politician in this country who has as much credibility as Sheila Fraser.

[Shakeyhands]

who is coming up with these great ideas? The optics seem to be on a bit of a down hill run.

[Michael Bluth]

who is coming up with these great ideas? The optics seem to be on a bit of a down hill run.

Optics?

Come on shakey. Fraser said she liked what she heard. It's the spin of certain posters here that creates the perception you don't like.

Fraser is an accountant. Likes to see the world in black and white.

Yet another slow news day. Yet another manufactured story by the desperate opposition.

[Argus]

Given the control aspects that Harper tries to instill, perhaps we are going to see further screws tightened on regulatory boards and agencies where they all need permission of the PMO to speak. Perhaps Environment Canada will have to get permission to speak in advance before they can give a weather report.

Got your talking points all set, I see.

This is a non-story. A draft policy created by bureacrats failed to differentiate between normal government departments and the six independant parliamentary agents. Even Frasier said it's easy to foget them. The govt has already indicated the rules won't apply to them. That's why policy "drafts" are sent around, so they can be corrected.

No story here.

[DrGreenthumb]

Optics?

Come on shakey. Fraser said she liked what she heard. It's the spin of certain posters here that creates the perception you don't like.

Fraser is an accountant. Likes to see the world in black and white.

Yet another slow news day. Yet another manufactured story by the desperate opposition.

Harper just wants advance notice before any more Conservative scandals are revealed so he can be more prepared with spin, or a lawsuit. I have this image of Harper pouring some cement shoes for any such whistleblower if he could only find out before the whistle was blown.

This is definitely not the action of a "clean" government. At least the Liberals aperated in a much more open manner than these sneaky cons. Always trying to hide information and cover up their corruption.

[White Doors]

What? a post without mention of mandaATORY setences for smoking pot?

wow!

[Shakeyhands]

Optics?

Come on shakey. Fraser said she liked what she heard. It's the spin of certain posters here that creates the perception you don't like.

Fraser is an accountant. Likes to see the world in black and white.

Yet another slow news day. Yet another manufactured story by the desperate opposition.

I guess the question begs why? Why is there a need to change the way things are done now.

[DrGreenthumb]

Got your talking points all set, I see.

This is a non-story. A draft policy created by bureacrats failed to differentiate between normal government departments and the six independant parliamentary agents. Even Frasier said it's easy to foget them. The govt has already indicated the rules won't apply to them. That's why policy "drafts" are sent around, so they can be corrected.

No story here.

You would defend anything these rats tried to do Argus. The real question is why does Harper have to keep all his MP's on such a short leash? Is he afraid that every time one of these conservatives opens their mouth the public might find out what their true intentions and motivations are? I guess if I were in Harper's position, and if his MP's think like some of the righty posters on here, I'd be scared to let them speak publicly too.

[Michael Bluth]

I guess the question begs why? Why is there a need to change the way things are done now.

Nothing is ever perfect my man. Do you have a specific problem with the proposed changes?

Continuous improvement is the hallmark of good managers. The CPC has definitely managed the country quite well in the past 18 months. Much better than Dion has managed his caucus. bah!

[jdobbin]

Got your talking points all set, I see.

This is a non-story. A draft policy created by bureacrats failed to differentiate between normal government departments and the six independant parliamentary agents. Even Frasier said it's easy to foget them. The govt has already indicated the rules won't apply to them. That's why policy "drafts" are sent around, so they can be corrected.

No story here.

Given that the Tories have been in battle with independent parliamentary agents since being elected, it isn't hard to figure out there there is a concern that the Tories do want to muzzle any government operation that makes public reports.

[Michael Bluth]

This is a non-story. A draft policy created by bureacrats failed to differentiate between normal government departments and the six independant parliamentary agents. Even Frasier said it's easy to foget them. The govt has already indicated the rules won't apply to them. That's why policy "drafts" are sent around, so they can be corrected.

No story here.

Well said. It definitely is a non-story.

I find it how it yes yet another feeble attempt by the Liberal cheer squad to bring up charges of 'muzzling' and 'battling' when nothing has been decided. Must be nice to live a government-subsidized existence...

[Shakeyhands]

Well said. It definitely is a non-story.

I find it how it yes yet another feeble attempt by the Liberal cheer squad to bring up charges of 'muzzling' and 'battling' when nothing has been decided. Must be nice to live a government-subsidized existence...

Liberal cheer squad? really?? Necessary?

I have no doubt that the CPC would like everything run through the PMO, that is until they form the official opposition again.

[Michael Bluth]

I have no doubt that the CPC would like everything run through the PMO, that is until they form the official opposition again.

Hmmm, so no actual concern on the complaint? Just go after the CPC. At least you are consistent!

If the parliament of officer has such a problem serving parliament they have the ability to quit on principle. That will definitely get them coverage.

[Shakeyhands]

Hmmm, so no actual concern on the complaint? Just go after the CPC. At least you are consistent!

If the parliament of officer has such a problem serving parliament they have the ability to quit on principle. That will definitely get them coverage.

I assume the communications channel, as it stands, is broken some how?

[Michael Bluth]

I assume the communications channel, as it stands, is broken some how?

Is there a reason these officers of parliament do not feel the need to communicate to Parliament before communicating to the public?

Must be nice to have a job where you feel entitled to do your job without concern for the people you report to...

[guyser]

There isn't a politician in this country who has as much credibility as Sheila Fraser.

Well if they promise ....

[Argus]

Given that the Tories have been in battle with independent parliamentary agents since being elected, it isn't hard to figure out there there is a concern that the Tories do want to muzzle any government operation that makes public reports.

I have this fantasy that somewhere in an alternate reality there was, at one point, a Liberal government which did its level best to strangle parliamentary officers - even though, with large majorities, they had appointed just about whomever they wanted. They went after a couple who showed some spunk hammer and tongs, no holds barred. But then, even with a rock-solid majority they were paranoid to a fault, hated and distrusted everyone who didn't agree with them, and were led by a man who fled from the media at every opportunity and never held press conferences.

Good thing Liberals here aren't like that when in power!

[jdobbin]

I have this fantasy that somewhere in an alternate reality there was, at one point, a Liberal government which did its level best to strangle parliamentary officers - even though, with large majorities, they had appointed just about whomever they wanted. They went after a couple who showed some spunk hammer and tongs, no holds barred. But then, even with a rock-solid majority they were paranoid to a fault, hated and distrusted everyone who didn't agree with them, and were led by a man who fled from the media at every opportunity and never held press conferences.

And now the Tories do the same thing and it is okay?

[Shakeyhands]

Is there a reason these officers of parliament do not feel the need to communicate to Parliament before communicating to the public?

Must be nice to have a job where you feel entitled to do your job without concern for the people you report to...

I assume that Parliament is informed at the same time. I would assume that the report is given to Parliament and the media all at once.

Is there a reason that the CPC feel the need to be informed first? I imagine it could/does make the press conferences (if they held them that is) a bit more uncomfortable...

Edited May 1, 2008 by Shakeyhands

[Michael Bluth]

I have this fantasy that somewhere in an alternate reality there was, at one point, a Liberal government which did its level best to strangle parliamentary officers - even though, with large majorities, they had appointed just about whomever they wanted. They went after a couple who showed some spunk hammer and tongs, no holds barred. But then, even with a rock-solid majority they were paranoid to a fault, hated and distrusted everyone who didn't agree with them, and were led by a man who fled from the media at every opportunity and never held press conferences.

Good thing Liberals here aren't like that when in power!

Argus, that's the road map to holding onto power. The Liberals only condone such tactics when they are in goverment.

When the Liberals are in oppostion they have their designated cheerleaders who start whiny attack threads such as this one.

It's all really sour grapes because Harper and the CPC having figured out how to govern, thus depriving the corrupt Liberals of their God-given right to govern the country.

Is there a reason that the CPC feel the need to be informed first? I imagine it could/does make the press conferences (if they held them that is) a bit more uncomfortable...

They are the party in power. They are the government. That's why they feel the need to be informed first. Just as the Liberals felt the need to be informed first when they were in government.

Let your imagination run where it will. This government is plenty comfortable in its own skin.

Edited May 1, 2008 by Michael Bluth

[margrace]

Yep the pro Harper tribe is deny, deny, deny, just like the ladies who were told if they complained any more about the sewage running through their basement, the reeve offered to condemn their house, of course I was lying about that wasn't I.

Have your Hiel salute ready people we are sure headed that way

[Michael Bluth]

Oops double post.

Edited May 1, 2008 by Michael Bluth

[Michael Bluth]

Yep the pro Harper tribe is deny, deny, deny, just like the ladies who were told if they complained any more about the sewage running through their basement, the reeve offered to condemn their house, of course I was lying about that wasn't I.

Have your Hiel salute ready people we are sure headed that way.

What are you talking about? There is nothing to deny.

Did you read the original article?

Vic Toews says the following and you allude to the CPC as Nazis? Boy that's respectful.

In a statement later, his office said any policy changes implemented for federal employees will not apply to officers of Parliament if they conflict with their legal mandate.

Is there any basis in reality for your posts?

[margrace]

What are you talking about? There is nothing to deny.

Did you read the original article?

Vic Toews says the following and you allude to the CPC as Nazis? Boy that's respectful.

Is there any basis in reality for your posts?

Oh come on Micheal, Harper wants to be in complete control of everyone, may the lord have mercy on us and yes I don't have any respect for him and your statement just validated what I said.