Clever Clogs
Posts: 622 
February 18th, 2007, 10:35 AM
Summary of the Federal Accountability Act:
Summary of the Federal Accountability Act:
- Political Financing Reform - reform financing of political parties and ban secret donations to political candidates to ensure influence cannot be bought by political donations and to level the playing field for individual contributors
- Expanding the Role of the Ethics Commissioner - create a new Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to administer a new Conflict of Interest Act. The Commissioner will have a judicial or quasi-judicial background and have powers to fine violators and consider public complaints. The Senate Ethics Officer position remains separate.
- Toughening the Lobbyists Registration Act - establish a new Commissioner of Lobbying with increased investigative and compliance powers to report directly to Parliament, ban contingency fees, and increase penalties for non-compliance
- Creation of Parliamentary Budget Officer - create a position in the Library of Parliament to provide parliamentary committees with to independent analysis on economic and fiscal issues
- Improving the Federal Appointments Process - create a Public Appointments Commission in the Prime Minister's portfolio to oversee, monitor, and report on the selection process for appointments to federal government agencies
- Improving the Federal Government Procurement Process - ensure the procurement process is free of political interference, that a clear complaints process is in place, and provide more opportunities for small vendors and vendors in all regions of Canada
- Improving Protection for Whistleblowers - expand the mandate of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner and give public-sector whistleblowers financial rewards
- Strengthening the Power of the Auditor General - give the Auditor General the authority to "follow the money," require all funding recipients to keep records and co-operate with the Auditor General, and require federal departments and agencies to review their grants and contributions programs every five years
- Strengthening Auditing and Accounting in Departments - clarify the responsibilities of deputy ministers, create a stronger internal audit capacity in federal government departments, and make fraud involving public funds committed by officials an offence with associated maximum prison terms and automatic dismissal for those convicted
- Creation of the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions - outside the Department of Justice, this office would have the independence to conduct prosecutions of offences under federal jurisdiction, including the new fraud provisions.
