Tuesday, June 29, 2004

OTTAWA - Today, Democracy Watch called on all parties and politicians to take democratizing the federal government seriously if they actually want voter turnout to increase to past levels, and if any of them want a chance to form a majority government in the future.

"From their behaviour during the election, politicians clearly think Canadians care most about differences between the parties," said Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch. "But continuing low voter turnout and high levels of voter skepticism make it clear that Canadians care most about all politicians lack of honesty, integrity, openness, efficiency, responsiveness and accountability."

"Many politicians, especially new candidates, express surprise at voter anger because they consider themselves honourable and dedicated," said Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch. "However, many voters view them as 'Politician 2004' -- the latest, unimproved model in a long line of lying, self-interested, wasteful, unresponsive and unaccountable public officials."

Democracy Watch's Report Card on the Democratic Reform and Corporate Responsibility Election Platforms of the five main federal political parties revealed the following serious gaps that show many the parties continue to ignore key voter concerns:

• none of the parties received better than a C grade, mainly because none made clear, detailed pledges in many areas;
• none of the parties promised an "honesty in politics" law (even though lying by politicians is the top reason for voter skepticism);
• none of the parties promised a "meaningful public consultation" law that would ensure that individual Canadians have a dedicated, direct avenue to have their voice heard regularly in Ottawa (even though all surveys show Canadians want such an open government policy-making process);
• none of the parties clearly promised to limit the access and influence elite lobbyists enjoy in Ottawa (even though all surveys show voters are concerned about the influence of wealthy interests over government);
• only one party promised to require full disclosure of donations to parties and politicians; and
• only one party made a detailed proposal for empowering consumers to hold corporations accountable by creating broad-based, citizen-funded and directed industry watchdog groups (even though all surveys show broad concern about corporate wrongdoing).

• to strengthen ethics enforcement, especially in the area of government spending;
• to increase Parliament's role in reviewing some of the approximately 3,000 appointments currently made solely by the Prime Minister;
• to strengthen the access-to-information system in some ways; and
• to increase corporate responsibility measures, including creating regulatory agencies in new areas and increasing penalties for some corporate wrongdoing.

"Politicians seem to think they can convince voters that if they are elected they will deliver citizen-owned, citizen-driven government and corporations" said Conacher.  "But voters are clearly saying that politicians stand in the way of citizen-owned, citizen-driven government and corporations, and that many changes are needed to ensure voters are in control."

For those who doubt politicians deserve to be viewed by voters with such skepticism, consider the following few examples just from the past decade (Democracy Watch believes the seeds of discontent were sown, and have been growing, since the 1960s):

• the Liberals promised ethics rules for all MPs and senators, and independent enforcement of the rules, during the 1993 election -- these changes were finally made in May 2004 (the seventh attempt to pass such rules since the mid-1980s);
• MPs increased their pay in June 2000 after two hours of debate;
• MPs increased their health benefits package in spring 2004 after two hours of debate;
• 20 Cabinet ministers broke ethics rules but only two were penalized; and
• the Liberals increased the amount each vote provides the parties under a new public funding system from $1.50 per vote to $1.75 per vote for no other reason except to ensure the Liberals would not have less money in 2004 than in 2003.

"Voters have sent a shot across the bow of all the parties that calls for more action on their concerns and accountability, and Democracy Watch and its coalitions will continue to work with all Canadians leading the struggle for citizen-owned and citizen-driven government and corporations," said Conacher.