Wednesday, December 6, 2000

OTTAWA - Today, the same day Prime Minister Jean Chrétien speaks at the annual Liberal Party Confederation fundraising dinner in Toronto, Democracy Watch called on federal Ethics Counsellor Howard Wilson to issue his long-overdue rulings on two complaints Democracy Watch filed last spring concerning politicians' fundraising activities.

In a letter dated March 20, 2000 to the Ethics Counsellor, Democracy Watch called for an investigation of Prime Minister Chrétien, Finance Minister Paul Martin, Health Minister Allan Rock and their ministerial staff for any involvement in fundraising activities for any political party, riding association, or other organization.

In another letter dated April 13, 2000 to the Ethics Counsellor, Democracy Watch called for an investigation into whether junior finance minister Jim Peterson violated the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders (the Office Holders' Code) and whether lobbyist and former Liberal MP Barry Campbell violated the Lobbyists Code of Conduct when Campbell organized a fundraising event in September 1999 that raised about $70,000 for Peterson. Campbell lobbies the Finance Department on behalf of several large corporations. The letter also requested that Wilson investigate whether other similar events have occurred for other ministers.

Democracy Watch believes these activities violate the Office Holders' Code, which prohibits ministers from: assisting private entities; being involved in private interests that are affected by government actions, and; having even "the appearance of being placed under an obligation to any person or organization . . . that might profit from special consideration on the part of the office holder."

"Ethics rules require ministers to act only in the public interest, said Aaron Freeman, Board Member of Democracy Watch. "When they help raise money for a private political party or have a corporate lobbyist fundraise for them, the public interest is sacrificed in favour of lobbyists, their clients and partisan politics."

Wilson has not even acknowledged receipt of either complaint letter, and has not ruled on either complaint, even though seven months have passed. Wilson took only four days to rule on a complaint filed during the election about the Prime Minister's role in securing a loan for a hotel in his riding.

"When the Prime Minister wants his activities to be given a rubber stamp of approval, the Ethics Counsellor heels on command," said Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch, "But when presented with clear evidence about situations that are controversial and embarassing to the government, the Ethics Counsellor becomes a lapdog who can't get anything done for months."

Democracy Watch called on the new Liberal government to keep, finally, its 1993 promise to establish an independent ethics watchdog, and to close the loopholes in party fundraising laws.