For immediate release
January 30, 2008
Ottawa - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury
Board, today welcomed the 2007 Global Integrity Index prepared by
Global Integrity, an independent non-profit information provider tracking
governance and corruption worldwide in which it ranked Canada fourth out of
fifty-five countries.
"Since taking office, thanks to the
Federal Accountability Act, this
government has made real changes for whistleblowers, cleaned up election and
political financing, toughened ethics rules and improved accountability," said
Minister Toews. "We've also strengthened the role of the Ethics Commissioner;
cleaned up government procurement, polling and advertising; given more powers to
the Auditor General; improved audit and accountability functions within
departments; and toughened the rules dealing with lobbying."
Minister Toews added: "There are areas that remain in which accountability
can be improved. For instance, our government has put forward measures to
deliver more accountability to the Senate by establishing term limits, and to
provide for elections to choose Senators."
"We made a clear commitment to restore accountability, and our government has
delivered to Canadians," said Minister Toews. "I'm proud that due to our strong
and decisive actions, Canada ranks in the top tier of nations on government
integrity."
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For more information, contact:
Mike Storeshaw
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666
If there is a discrepancy between any printed version and the electronic version of this news release, the electronic version will prevail.