Senate Ethics Investigations? Not really ...

jacee · December 31, 2011

The Senate ... the chamber of sober second thought ... "

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/senators-eye-changes-to-way-they-police-themselves/article2287960/?service=mobile

Mr. Fournier – the first Senate Ethics Officer – submitted a resignation letter almost a year ago even though he was only six years into a seven- year term. Mr. Fournier hasn’t launched a single nvestigation since his appointment in 2005. In contrast, the House of Commons Ethics Commissioner conducted 18 investigations of MPs during the same period.

In a candid annual report, Mr. Fournier warned senators that it “would be regrettable to maintain the status quo” and proposed a handful of rule changes to improve the system“.

In the absence of openness, transparency and accountability, the public and the media wil suspect that senators are covering up for each other,” he wrote.

In response, the Senate’s conflict-of-interest committee took up Mr. Fournier’s challenge, asking him to stay until March 31, 2012, so they can consider his proposed changes to the Senate’s ethics rules Mr. Fournier’s recommendations would see senators disclose the source and nature, but not the dollar value, of any non-Senate income over $2,000 per year as well as any assets and liabilities over $10,000.

He also calls for the office’s inquiry reports to be made public immediately, replacing the current system in which they would be filed away, “never to see the light of day.”

Senators would also have to disclose more nformation about the private interests of family members, and the disclosures of Senators would be posted online. At present, the public must visit the Ethics Officer’s Office in person to view disclosure reports.

Government transparency advocate Duff Conacher, the founder of Democracy Watch, said while some of the proposals are welcome, they fai to address the root problems with the office. Mr Conacher said a broad exemption in the rules for senators and MPs – ruling out conflicts when policy matters are of “general application” – should be eliminated. He also says the Senate office should be made independent of a committee of senators.

“The office is a bad joke,” he said. “It is senators nvestigating senators, because senators control whether there can be an investigation, control the scope of the investigation and recommend penalties. So [Mr. Fournier’s] recommendations wil do nothing to change that other than the ruling will be made public."

If there are no investigations and they aren't made public ... are the Senators all made of lily white ethics?

Or is it just a blizzard of snow jobs?

If we don't know who's paying them privately, can we know who's bribing whom for what ?

Edited December 31, 2011 by jacee