April 11, 2006
OTTAWA, - Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government today introduced the proposed Federal Accountability
Act to restore Canadians' trust in government.
"With the Federal Accountability Act, we are creating a new culture of accountability that will change
forever the way business is done in Ottawa," Prime Minister Harper said.
Treasury Board President John Baird introduced the Act in Parliament. An Action Plan was also released, which
includes additional measures the Harper government will undertake in order to deliver on all its campaign commitments
to clean up government.
"People who work hard, pay their taxes, and play by the rules want accountability from their government," said
Minister Baird. "Today is about putting the legacy of political scandal behind us and restoring Canadians' trust in
government."
The Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan would:
reduce the opportunity to exert influence with money by banning corporate, union, and large personal political
donations;
give Canadians confidence that lobbying is done ethically with a five-year lobbying ban on former ministers, their
aides, and senior public servants;
ensure people who see problems in government know they can speak up by providing real protection for
whistleblowers; and
ensure Canadians know how their money is spent by enhancing the power for the Auditor General to follow the
money.
"These measures will strengthen and streamline government so it can function more efficiently," Prime Minister
Harper said. "We are following through on our commitment to deliver good, clean government to Canadians."
Mr. Baird added that the Government will work with Parliament to move this important legislation forward. The
Government will also immediately begin to implement the non-legislative elements of the Action Plan.
The Action Plan, draft legislation, fact sheets, and other materials are available at www.accountability.gc.ca, or through the contact information below:
Email: questions@tbs-sct.gc.caTelephone: (613) 957-2400
Toll free: 1-877-636-0656
TTY: (613) 957-9090
Facsimile: (613) 998-9071
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For more information, contact:
Mike Van Soelen
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666
Robert Makichuk
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
