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A list of links are set out below to media and public appearances
from 2007. If you want to hear selected Democracy Watch radio interviews
and speeches from past years, please click on the following link: If you want see what media and other commentators have said about
Democracy Watch, click on the following link: Set out below the list of past years' links is the list of 2007 Media Appearances and Public Appearances, in reverse chronological order. 2007 Media Appearances NOTE: For links set out below entitled "WEBSITE ARTICLE" or "RADIO INTERVIEW" the link will take you to a media outlet webpage that is not owned or controlled by Democracy Watch. In some cases, the article or interview will no longer be available on that webpage, or only available to subscribers to the media outlet. 2007 Public Appearances set out below the Media Appearances are grouped under Government Hearings or Conferences, with the host, date and topic listed for each appearance. I. 2007 Media Appearances in reverse chronological order TV Radio Newspapers, Magazines and Web Media 667 media appearances in 2007 (including 167 national appearances) 2007 -- 58 TV appearances in 2007 (including 43 national TV appearances) December 30 - CTV National News re: Privacy International's report ranks Canada in top 3 countries in personal privacy protection, but also points out key gaps and disturbing events -- To see interview with Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher, click on video link on CTV.ca website page links takes you to December 30 - CTV Newsnet (feature interview) re: Privacy International's report ranks Canada in top 3 countries in personal privacy protection, but also points out key gaps and disturbing events -- To see interview with Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher, click on video link on CTV.ca website page links takes you to December 17 - CBC Newsworld's "Politics with Don Newman" re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability December 4 - CTV Newsnet's "The Verdict" show re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions December 4 - CTV Newsnet (feature morning interview) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions November 29 - CBC TV's "The National" re: CBC TV's "The National" reports that former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney talked to then-Industry Minister Maxime Bernier for Quebecor Inc., but did not register as a lobbyist November 28 - CTV Newsnet's "The Verdict" show re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions November 28 - CTV Newsnet (feature morning interview) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions November 26 - CTV Newsnet (feature interview) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions -- (To see a video of part of Democracy Watch's news conference, click here (and then click on VIDEO link on CTV.ca page link takes you to)) November 26 - CTV Newsnet (airing Democracy Watch's news conference live) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions -- (To see a video of part of Democracy Watch's news conference, click here (and then click on VIDEO link on CTV.ca page link takes you to)) November 19 - Talk Ottawa (Rogers Cable TV (Ottawa)) re: prcess and proposals for reforming the Senate of Canada November 18 - CBC News "Sunday" show (feature piece) re: lobbying regulation system in Canada is dangerously weak and full of loopholes and poorly enforced -- For details, click here November 14 - CPAC's "Primetime Politics with Peter Van Dusen" re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 14 - CBC Newsworld's "Politics with Don Newman" re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 13 - CTV Newsnet feature interview re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 13 - CHTV (Southwestern Ontario - @5:30 show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 6 - Rogers cable (Mike Farwell show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Hypocrite Harper Continues to Mislead on Federal Conservatives’ Promise-Breaking on Accountability and Democratic Reforms (October 17, 2007) and NEWS RELEASE: 720 Promises By the Four Main Ontario Parties But No Guarantee Offered By Any Party Leader and No Pledges to Pass “Honesty-in-Politics" Law -- Elections Ontario Fails to Inform Voters of Right to Vote for “None of the Above” (October 9, 2007) October 23 - CTV National News re: new law requiring voters to show identification with their street address means one million rural voters with "R.R." addresses won't be able to vote October 23 - CTV Newsnet re: new law requiring voters to show identification with their street address means one million rural voters with "R.R." addresses won't be able to vote October 5 - CTV Newsnet (broadcasting news conference live) re: NEWS RELEASE: Report Card Reveals No Matter Which Party Wins, Ontario Government and Large Corporations Will Remain Largely Unaccountable for Dishonest, Unethical, Secretive, Unrepresentative and Wasteful Activities Because of Key Gaps in Provincial Parties' "Good Government" Platforms (October 5, 2007) -- To see the CTV.ca article about the Report Card, and to watch a video of the news conference, click here October 5 - CTV.ca website re: NEWS RELEASE: Report Card Reveals No Matter Which Party Wins, Ontario Government and Large Corporations Will Remain Largely Unaccountable for Dishonest, Unethical, Secretive, Unrepresentative and Wasteful Activities Because of Key Gaps in Provincial Parties' "Good Government" Platforms (October 5, 2007) -- To see the CTV.ca article about the Report Card, and to watch a video of the news conference and news story, click here September 5 - CTV's "Canada AM" (NOTE: video of interview on webpage link takes you to) re: Banks pay credit card companies 1% to calculate currency exchange rate on out-of-country purchases, and then overcharge their customers 2.5% September 4 - CBC Newsworld's "Newsmorning" (NOTE: video of news piece on webpage link takes you to) re: Banks pay credit card companies 1% to calculate currency exchange rate on out-of-country purchases, and then overcharge their customers 2.5% September 3 - CBC TV's "The National" (NOTE: video of news piece on webpage link takes you to) re: Banks pay credit card companies 1% to calculate currency exchange rate on out-of-country purchases, and then overcharge their customers 2.5% June 7 - CTV Newsnet re: Gridlock over reform of the Senate in part because the federal Conservatives did not consult provinces and opposition parties before introducing changes, and in part because Liberals have unduly delayed responding to proposed changes April 21 - Canadian Parliamentary Affairs Channel (CPAC) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) April 17, 2007 appearance before the House of Commons Finance Committee and CCRC news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices April 12 - CBC TV's "Canada Now" show (feature commentary piece) re: article in Toronto Star re: Federal Conservative government contract for military hardware goes to company for which Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor used to be a lobbyist March 15 - CHUM/City-TV news shows (4 stations across Canada) re: Supreme Court of Canada ruling upholds law prohibiting broadcasting election results before polls close across Canada to maintain electoral fairness March 12 - Channel 12 (Oshawa, Ontario) re: Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Democracy Watch calls on Ontario Premier to keep two-year-old promise to democratize Ontario's political donations system March 8 - CBC-TV 6 pm news show (Alberta) re: Alberta's Conservatives propose very flawed lobbying disclosure law -- will allow secret lobbying and unethical relationships between lobbyists and politicians, other government officials -- link takes you to an Edmonton Journal article about the law March 7 - Global TV's 6 pm news shows across Canada re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CBC TV's "The National" (feature interview) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CTV National News re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CTV affiliates local 6 pm newscasts across Canada (5 different locations) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - A-Channel News (Ottawa) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CBC TV's "News Today" show re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CTV Newsnet hourly feature interview during the day from 11 am (EST) on re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CBC TV News hourly during the morning re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CBC TV's "News Morning" show re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 5 - CTV Newsnet re: Federal government's Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ignores public's concerns about real or perceived conflicts of interest involving food inspectors March 4 - CTV National News re: Federal government's Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ignores public's concerns about real or perceived conflicts of interest involving food inspectors February 6 - CBC TV's News Today show re: Federal Conservatives first year in office merits a grade of 55% because GST tax cut and childcare tax rebate promises kept, crime prevention promises partially kept but changed because it is a minority government, but health care wait-times guarantee was a false promise (because provincial cooperation needed to keep promise), and especially because Accountability Act promises were mostly broken -- see for details Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Half of Federal Accountability Act Not In Force, Despite Conservatives' False Claims -- Will All Parties Work Together to Correct the Government's 85 Remaining Undemocratic Flaws? (February 5, 2007) January 29 - CPAC (airing news conference launching the court challenge) re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby January 26 - CHTV (Southwestern Ontario - @5:30 show) re: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty must require banks to prove, through an independent audit, that all service charges are fair -- To see the interview with Duff Conacher, click on the link to the video on the right-hand side of the webpage this link takes you to -- For more details, click here to see the December 14, 2006 news release by the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), a bank accountability coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch January 26 - CBC TV's "News Morning" show re: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty must require banks to prove, through an independent audit, that all service charges are fair -- To see the interview with Duff Conacher, click on the link to the video on the right-hand side of the webpage this link takes you to -- For more details, click here to see the December 14, 2006 news release by the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), a bank accountability coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch January 25 - CBC TV's "The National" re: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty must require banks to prove, through an independent audit, that all service charges are fair -- To see the interview with Duff Conacher, click on the link to the video on the right-hand side of the webpage this link takes you to -- For more details, click here to see the December 14, 2006 news release by the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), a bank accountability coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch January 25 - CTV Newsnet (airing news conference launching the court challenge) re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby January 24 - Report on Business TV ("Squeeze Play" show) re: loopholes in the federal Access-to-Information Act allow the federal government to hide information about income trust tax and other key decisions January 12 - CBC TV's "The National" re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 4 - CBC TV (Nunavut) re: proposal for whistleblower protection in Nunavut Territory
2007 -- 96 radio appearances in 2007 (including 6 national radio appearances) December 19 - CKLN (88.1 FM Toronto - "Word of Mouth" show) re: re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability December 13 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability December 13 - CHML Talk Radio (Hamilton - the Bill Kelly show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability December 11 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - "Lunch Bunch" show) re: criminal charges laid against Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien December 11 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - Steve Madely early morning show) re: criminal charges laid against Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien December 7 - The New 940 (Montreal talk radio) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): If Conservative Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Doesn’t Act Now, Big Banks Will Recoup Their $2 Billion in Losses By Increasing Gouging, Cutting Loans to Creditworthy Businesses, and Continuing Excessively Risky Investing December 6 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): If Conservative Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Doesn’t Act Now, Big Banks Will Recoup Their $2 Billion in Losses By Increasing Gouging, Cutting Loans to Creditworthy Businesses, and Continuing Excessively Risky Investing November 29 - CJRB 1290 AM Talk Radio (London, Ontario) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions November 26 - CFAX 1070 AM Talk Radio (Victoria, B.C.) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions November 25 - CBC's Cross-country Checkup call-in show re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions November 16 - The New 940 (Montreal - morning show) re: Mayor of Montreal proposed that province appoint him mayor of Ville Marie suburb without holding an election November 14 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - early morning show with Steve Madely) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 13 - New 940 (Montreal radio news) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 9 - CBC Radio Halifax early morning show re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) November 8 - CBC Radio Halifax News re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) -- specifically situation with Conservative MP Bill Casey October 18 - CKRM Regina (the morning show with Roger Currie) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Hypocrite Harper Continues to Mislead on Federal Conservatives’ Promise-Breaking on Accountability and Democratic Reforms October 17 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Hypocrite Harper Continues to Mislead on Federal Conservatives’ Promise-Breaking on Accountability and Democratic Reforms October 16 - CJCH Radio (Halifax - Rick Howe show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Will Throne Speech Mention 24 Promised Democratic Reform Measures Federal Conservatives Left Out of So-Called “Federal Accountability Act”? and behind-closed-door meeting of Halifax city council to discuss how to manage public hearings October 5 - CKLW Talk Radio (Windsor, Ontario) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Report Card Reveals No Matter Which Party Wins, Ontario Government and Large Corporations Will Remain Largely Unaccountable for Dishonest, Unethical, Secretive, Unrepresentative and Wasteful Activities Because of Key Gaps in Provincial Parties' "Good Government" Platforms October 4 - CBC Radio's "Maritime Noon" show re: Democracy Watch's Open Government Campaign September 21 - CBC Radio's "Ontario Today Phone-in" show re: NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Party Leaders Dodge Dishonesty in Politics Debate Question -- Make No Pledges to Resign or Penalize Themselves in Any Way if They Break Promises, But Still Expect Voters to Trust Them September 19 - 570 News Talk Radio (Kitchener, Ontario) re: Group Calls on Media to Ask Ontario Party Leaders "If You Break Promises, Will You Resign?" and Calls for Effective "Honesty-in-Politics" Law August 23 - CBC Radio (Prince George, B.C. - Daybreak North morning show) re: Federal Conservative MP Dick Harris issued a news release naming Sharon Smith, Conservative Party candidate for a neighbouring riding as the person voters should contact to get what they want from the federal government, raising serious questions about violations of MP ethics rules prohibiting favouritism August 22 - CBC Radio news (Prince George, B.C.) re: Federal Conservative MP Dick Harris issued a news release naming Sharon Smith, Conservative Party candidate for a neighbouring riding as the person voters should contact to get what they want from the federal government, raising serious questions about violations of MP ethics rules prohibiting favouritism August 15 - CKNW Talk Radio (Vancouver - "Nightline" show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher published in Globe and Mail re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal August 15 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show) re: Breach of trust charge against Senator Raymond Lavigne does not mean senators are effectively required to act ethically, as senate rules are full of loopholes, and Senate Ethics Officer lacks independence and powers to investigate and penalize violators August 13 - The New 940 Talk Radio (Montreal - "Drive Home with Jim Duff" late afternoon show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher published in Globe and Mail re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal August 13 - CJAD Talk Radio (Montreal - "The Tommy Schnurmacher" morning show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher published in Globe and Mail re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal August 10 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher published in Globe and Mail re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal August 6 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - The Rutherford Show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher published in Globe and Mail re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal July 10 - CBC Radio Alberta (Wild Rose Forum phone-in show) re: Who Will Guard the Guard? Fully Independent and Empowered Inquiry Needed Into Many RCMP Actions -- Public Appointments Commission and Other Changes Needed Before Appointment of Commissioner or Any Other Government Accountability Watchdogs June 20 - The New 940 (Montreal - "The Last Angry Man" show) re: re: Honesty is the best government policy, and so it should be required by law and Who Will Guard the Guard? Fully Independent and Empowered Inquiry Needed Into Many RCMP Actions -- Public Appointments Commission and Other Changes Needed Before Appointment of Commissioner or Any Other Government Accountability Watchdogs June 20 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Who Will Guard the Guard? Fully Independent and Empowered Inquiry Needed Into Many RCMP Actions -- Public Appointments Commission and Other Changes Needed Before Appointment of Commissioner or Any Other Government Accountability Watchdogs June 7 - 570 News (Kitchener, Ontario -- The Jeff Allan show) re: Gridlock over reform of the Senate in part because the federal Conservatives did not consult provinces and opposition parties before introducing changes, and in part because Liberals have unduly delayed responding to proposed changes June 7 - The New 940 (Montreal -- morning show) re: Federal government should require airlines to facilitate formation of airline passengers watchdog group June 1 - CJCH Radio (Halifax - Rick Howe morning show) re: article Federal MPs taking trips with their spouses to Taiwan paid for by the Taiwan government are violating MP ethics rules (Halifax Chronicle Herald, June 1, 2007) May 23 - Various radio stations' news across Canada (14 stations total) re: Federal Conservative Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice handpicks news land claims negotiators while Conservatives delay establishing promised Public Appointments Commission -- To see related Canadian Press article, go to CTV.ca website (publishing May 24, 2007 Canadian Press (CP) article) re: Federal Conservative Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Jim Prentice handpicks new land claims negotiators, as Conservatives continue to fail to establish promised Public Appointments Commission May 9 - 940 News Talk Radio (Montreal) re: Environment Canada employee arrested during investigation into leak of federal Conservative's draft plan on climate change issue May 9 - CBC Radio (Windsor - "Early Shift" early morning show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices May 3 - CJBK Talk Radio (London, Ontario) re: passage of federal law fixing federal election dates every four years April 30 - CKCU Radio (Ottawa - Monday morning "Special Blend" show) re: April 26 article in Ottawa Citizen re: Ottawa City Manager asked by city councillor to explain why former business colleagues of mayor were handed consulting contract without competitive bidding process and April 25 article in Ottawa Citizen re: Consultants facilitating Ottawa's city planning process were suggested by, and have past business links with, the mayor April 20 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show with Rob Breakenridge) re: Democracy Watch news release : Democracy Watch Proud To Have Played Small Part in Charter of Rights History -- Canada Also Needs A Charter of Government and Corporate Accountability and Democracy (April 16, 2007) and re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices April 20 - CBC Radio News re: Elections Canada survey on voters' and non-voters' attitudes an important process that should be done more transparently April 20 - CBC Radio (Maritime Noon phone-in show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices April 20 - Radio Canada (Alberta - French radio station) re: Alberta Conservative government's proposed laws on lobbying disclosure and ethics enforcement are not strong enough to end secret lobbying or ensure ethical government April 4 - Radio Canada (Alberta - French radio station) re: disclosure of donations to Alberta's political parties reveals how undemocratic and unethical the province's donations system is March 30 - The New 940 (Montreal - drive-home "Drive with Duff" show) re: the resignation of federal Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro March 23 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Coalition Calls On Senate Committee To Strengthen Bill C-37 To Require Banks To Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based On Fair Prices, Service, And Responsible Lending, And To Require Disclosure of Violators of Financial Laws March 22 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - evening business show)) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Coalition Calls On Senate Committee To Strengthen Bill C-37 To Require Banks To Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based On Fair Prices, Service, And Responsible Lending, And To Require Disclosure of Violators of Financial Laws March 14 - CKNW Talk Radio (Vancouver - "The World Tonight" show ) re: Former Conservative MP and party election campaign co-chair John Reynolds becomes a lobbyist March 14 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show): Ethics Commissioner Refuses To Deal With Complaint About MP Wajid Khan Switching Parties and Keeping Report Secret -- Democracy Watch Calls on Commons Committee on Ethics To Order Ethics Commissioner to Enforce "Honesty" Rule March 14 - CHUO (Ottawa) re: Canadian Press (CP) wire article re: Democracy Watch calls on Ontario Premier to keep two-year-old promise to democratize Ontario's political donations system March 11 - Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC - "The National Interest" show) re: Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher on loopholes in Canada's lobbying law, and why Australia needs a stronger law to stop secret, unethical lobbying March 7 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? March 6 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - early morning show) re: Conservative federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty meets behind closed doors with bankers to talk about banking fees -- will Flaherty do more than hold secret talks about bank accountability? March 5 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - The Michael Harris afternoon show) re: Federal Conservatives have broken their election promise to end secret lobbying of Cabinet ministers and top government officials (NOTE: link takes you to a Globe and Mail article about the lobbying law broken promise) March 5 - CBC Radio News (Ottawa) re: Conservative federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty meets behind closed doors with bankers to talk about banking fees -- will Flaherty do more than hold secret talks about bank accountability? March 5 - WAVE Radio (Hamilton, Ontario) re: Conservative federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty meets behind closed doors with bankers to talk about banking fees -- will Flaherty do more than hold secret talks about bank accountability? March 2 - CFOS Talk Radio (Owen Sound, Ontario - "Online" show) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees February 27 - Radio Canada (Alberta French CBC radio morning show) re: lack of limits on donations and disclosure requirements for Alberta Conservative Party leadership race is a "best Premier money can buy" system and a recipe for corruption February 28 - CBC Radio (Newfoundland - lunch hour show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees February 27 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - "Lunch Bunch" show) re: Democracy Watch's campaigns for honest, ethical government, and the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees February 27 - 570 News Talk Radio (Kitchener, Ontario) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees February 27 - CKNW Talk Radio (Vancouver) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees February 27 - CJBK Talk Radio (London, Ontario) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees February 16 - CFRB news (Toronto and surrounding area) re: Federal government should require telecommunications companies to facilitate creation of a telecomm consumers watchdog group -- For details about how such a group could be created, go to Democracy Watch's Citizen Association Campaign webpage) February 12 - The New 940 (Montreal - morning show) re: Quebec's Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault refuses to give details to explain questionable expense receipts she has submitted to the government for reimbursement February 9 - The New 940 (Montreal - drive-home "Drive with Duff" show) re: Quebec's Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault refuses to give details to explain questionable expense receipts she has submitted to the government for reimbursement January 30 - CBC Radio (Sudbury, Ontario - afternoon drive-home show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 30 - CBC Radio (Windsor, Ontario - morning show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 29 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 29 - CBC Radio News (Windsor, Ontario) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 29 - CJOB Talk Radio (Winnipeg) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 29 - CBC Radio News (Windsor, Ontario) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 26 - CBC Radio News (Saskatchewan) re: If Federal Cabinet approves changes contained in the federal Accountability Act, 50 new government institutions will be covered by the federal Access to Information Act, but the Act will still be too weak to ensure that the federal government is open and transparent January 25 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - drive-home show) re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby and the issue of banks gouging customers with excessive service charges (For more details, click here to see the December 14, 2006 news release by the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), a bank accountability coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch January 25 - The New 940 (Montreal - drive-home show with Jim Duff) re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby January 24 - CBC Radio (Manitoba) re: scandal involving NDP government official who allegedly offered a government job to an NDP party member in return for the member not attempting to win the party's nomination in a provincial electoral riding January 18 - Alert radio (Winnipeg) re: lack of effective media accountability, and media ownership control in some markets in Canada, mean that fair and accurate media coverage is often lacking in Canada January 12 - CBC Radio's "The World at Six" show re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 12 - CBC Radio's "Canada at 5" show re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 12 - CBC National Radio news re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 10 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta) re: Federal Conservatives plan a public consultation on political parties, voting system, the House of Commons and Senate, and role of citizens in policy-making January 8 - The New 940 (Montreal - early morning show) re: Political party-switchers and misleaders must face high penalties to stop abuse of voters' rights January 5 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - 4-6 pm show) re: Political party-switchers and misleaders must face high penalties to stop abuse of voters' rights
NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES and WEB MEDIA 2007 -- 507 print and web media appearances in 2007 (including 117 national appearances) December 28 - CanadaEast.com website and Fredericton Daily Gleaner re: (op-eds by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) Despite Federal Accountability Act, many of the alleged questionable actions in the Mulroney-Schreiber affair are still legal, and Preston Manning's proposals for cleaning things up have been tried and would weaken political ethics enforcement -- To see the piece on CanadaEast.com, click here December 23 - Northern Life (Northern Ontario weekly newspaper) re: municipal council's secret meetings December 20 - Kitchener-Waterloo Record re: (op-eds by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) Despite Federal Accountability Act, many of the alleged questionable actions in the Mulroney-Schreiber affair are still legal, and Preston Manning's proposals for cleaning things up have been tried and would weaken political ethics enforcement December 20 - Le Devoir re: re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability December 17 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability December 17 - RadioOwenSound.com website article re: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability -- To see article, click here December 17 - Hill Times re: Two-year limitation period on prosecutions will prevent Karlheinz Schreiber from being charged for failing to register as a lobbyist 15 years ago December 16 - Canada.com website re: 72
National Defence Department contracts worth $1 billion are exceeding contract
price December 14 - Canoe.ca (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article)
re: Former
federal Conservative Party adviser lobbies federal Conservative government
for Taser International -- Also published by: December 14 - The Guardian (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) re: P.E.I. government officials contest Democracy Watch's claims about lack of government accountability in P.E.I. (please read Comment by Democracy Watch Coordinator towards the bottom of the webpage this link takes you to) December 13 - CTV.ca website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire
article) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal
Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially
Increasing Accountability -- To see the CP article on CTV.ca, click
here December 13 - National Post re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability -- To see the Post article, click here December 13 - The Guardian (PEI) publishing Canadian Press
(CP ) wire article re: All provinces
have government accountability loopholes, but Alberta and PEI are worst overall
(please read Comment by Democracy Watch Coordinator towards the bottom of
the webpage this link takes you to) December 13 - Edmonton Sun re: Conflict of interest laws across Canada do not prevent government Cabinet ministers from making decisions in which they have a financial interest December 12 - CBC.ca website re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability -- To see the article on the CBC.ca website, click here December 12 - The Suburban (Montreal's largest circulation English newspaper) publishing Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher's OP-ED: Elite Ottawa insiders make misleading claims that the Federal Accountability Act is too strong, when in fact it is much too weak -- To see the op-ed on The Suburban's website, click here December 11 - London Free Press (publishing Linda Leatherdale's
"Money" column re: CCRC's December 6, 2007 news release re: If Conservative Federal
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Doesn’t Act Now, Big Banks Will Recoup Their
$2 Billion in Losses By Increasing Gouging, Cutting Loans to Creditworthy
Businesses, and Continuing Excessively Risky Investing -- To see the
column, click
here December 10 - Hill Times re: depending on evidence, former-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney could be charged with violating Parliament of Canada Act for taking money, while he was still an MP, from Karlheinz Schreiber December 7 - Calgary Herald re: ex-Alberta Cabinet minister who was given cushy job as Alberta government's representative in Washington received $150,000 payoff even though he quit -- also published in the Edmonton Journal December 6 - Edmonton Sun re: : Alberta's new lobbying law, and a bill changing the province's conflict of interest law, are full of loopholes -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click here (PDF file) December 3 - Hill Times re: Elections Canada should challenge collective election spending by all federal political parties, riding associations and candidates, not just by Conservatives November 30 - Globeandmail.com re: Federal Conservative Cabinet Minister Peter Van Loan misleads House of Commons, claims new lobbying rules that have not yet been implemented are "tough" and require all lobbyists to register (To see details about loopholes in the federal lobbying disclosure law, click here) November 30 - Globe and Mail (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: CBC TV's "The National" reports that former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney talked to then-Industry Minister Maxime Bernier for Quebecor Inc., but did not register as a lobbyist November 30 - Globeandmail.com (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: CBC TV's "The National" reports that former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney talked to then-Industry Minister Maxime Bernier for Quebecor Inc., but did not register as a lobbyist November 30 - Canoe.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: CBC TV's "The National" reports that former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney talked to then-Industry Minister Maxime Bernier for Quebecor Inc., but did not register as a lobbyist November 29 - CBC.ca website re: CBC TV's "The National" reports that former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney talked to then-Industry Minister Maxime Bernier for Quebecor Inc., but did not register as a lobbyist November 27 - Winnipeg Sun re: Loopholes
in rules and lack of enforcement allow for secret, unlimited gifts from lobbyists
to federal politicians -- Also published by: November 26 - CanadaEast.com (publishing Canadian Press wire article)
re: House of Commons Ethics Committee formally request Karlheinz Schreiber
to testify and Democracy Watch's news release Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner
on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber
Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions --
To see the article, click here -- Also
published by: November 26 - CTV.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions -- To see the article, and video of part of Democracy Watch's news conference, click here (and then click on VIDEO link on CTV.ca page link takes you to) November 26 - CBC.ca website (publishing Canadian Press wire article)
re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics
Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning
Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on
Questions - To see the article on CBC.ca, click here
-- Canadian Press article also published by: November 26 - National Post (blog by Politics Editor Kelly McParland) re: Group Calls for Rulings from Ethics Commissioner on Actions by Prime Minister and Other Cabinet Ministers Concerning Mulroney-Schreiber Situation -- All MPs on Ethics Committee Should Agree on Questions -- To see the blog posting, click here November 26 - Hill Times publishing shorter letter-to-editor version of OP-ED: Fully impartial inquiries into Mulroney-Schreiber situation, and many other questionable situations, needed to clean up the federal government November 18 - Winnipeg Free Press publishing OP-ED: Fully impartial inquiries into Mulroney-Schreiber situation, and many other questionable situations, needed to clean up the federal government -- Also published in the December 07-January 08 issue of Dialogue magazine November 18 - HarperIndex.ca publishing OP-ED: Fully impartial inquiries into Mulroney-Schreiber situation, and many other questionable situations, needed to clean up the federal government November 16 - Rabble.ca website re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 14 - National Post publishing letter-to-editor version of Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 13 - Toronto Star publishing letter-to-editor version of Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives in Conflict of Interest, Cannot Select Investigator, Inquiry Commissioner, Nor Prosecutor to Review Mulroney-Schreiber Situation November 12 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) November 12 - Calgary Sun (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher based on Democracy Watch news release: Recent Secrecy Scandals Caused in Part by Federal Conservatives' Broken Election Promises -- Group Calls on Federal Parties to Introduce and Pass Open Government Bill (May 23, 2007) November 11 - Canoe.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article)
re: Lobbyists
continue to move in and out of federal government as Conservatives continue
to break their election promise November 8 - Halifax Chronicle Herald re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) -- To see Halifax Chronicle Herald article, click here November 8 - Edmonton Sun re: Alberta Conservatives' lobbying law is full of loopholes that allow secret, unethical lobbying November 8 - Georgia Straight re: Vancouver has best city council secret money can buy because of lack of spending and donation limits and disclosure requirements November 7 - PoliticsWatch.com website re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) -- To see the website's article, click here November 7 - Nova Scotia Business Journal's website re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) -- To see the website's article, click here November 7 - Halifax Daily News re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) November 7 - Hamilton Spectator re: Hamilton city appointments process too secret to ensure merit-based appointments to city committees November 5 - Hill Times (publishing response to letter-to-the-editor re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Hypocrite Harper Continues to Mislead on Federal Conservatives’ Promise-Breaking on Accountability and Democratic Reforms (October 17, 2007) November 2 - Guelph Mercury re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper’s Conservatives Make It Clear They Will Break Promises to Democratize Election Candidate Nomination Races (November 6, 2007) November 1 - The Uniter (University of Winnipeg newspaper)
re: Honesty in politics
law needed to ensure election promises are kept and public not misled in
between elections, and to address youth cynicism about politics
October 30 - Ottawa Citizen re: Federal
Conservatives hide key information about delays and overspending on 12 Defence
Department projects worth more than $7 billion October 24 - National Post (printing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: False claims published yet again about federal election ad spending law that helps democracy by limiting influence of wealthy interests October 22 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Hypocrite Harper Continues to Mislead on Federal Conservatives’ Promise-Breaking on Accountability and Democratic Reforms (October 17, 2007) October 18 - Toronto Star (printing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Hypocrite Harper Continues to Mislead on Federal Conservatives’ Promise-Breaking on Accountability and Democratic Reforms (October 17, 2007) -- To see the letter, click here October 16 - Halifax Daily News re: behind-closed-door meeting of Halifax city council to discuss how to manage public hearings October 9 - Globe and Mail (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: President of Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission holds behind-closed-door meetings with companies proposing nuclear energy plants and other nuclear operations, raising questions about conflicts of interest October 8 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Party Leaders Dodge Dishonesty in Politics Debate Question -- Make No Pledges to Resign or Penalize Themselves in Any Way if They Break Promises, But Still Expect Voters to Trust Them (September 21, 2007) October 8 - CTV.ca website (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: President of Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission holds behind-closed-door meetings with companies proposing nuclear energy plants and other nuclear operations, raising questions about conflicts of interest October 8 - Canadian press.com website (Canadian Press wire article)
re: President
of Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission holds behind-closed-door meetings with
companies proposing nuclear energy plants and other nuclear operations, raising
questions about conflicts of interest October 7 - Toronto Sun (Linda Leatherdale's column) re: Democracy Watch's news release re: NEWS RELEASE: Report Card Reveals No Matter Which Party Wins, Ontario Government and Large Corporations Will Remain Largely Unaccountable for Dishonest, Unethical, Secretive, Unrepresentative and Wasteful Activities Because of Key Gaps in Provincial Parties' "Good Government" Platforms (October 5, 2007) -- To see the column, click here October 5 - CTV.ca website re: Democracy Watch's news release re: NEWS RELEASE: Report Card Reveals No Matter Which Party Wins, Ontario Government and Large Corporations Will Remain Largely Unaccountable for Dishonest, Unethical, Secretive, Unrepresentative and Wasteful Activities Because of Key Gaps in Provincial Parties' "Good Government" Platforms (October 5, 2007) -- To see the CTV.ca article about the Report Card, click here October 5 - Rabble.ca re: NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Government Up For Sale to Wealthy Because Liberals Broke Promise to Democratize Donations (October 3, 2007) October 4 - Edmonton Sun re: Alberta's oil royalties scandal could have come to light sooner if province had whistleblower protection law October 3 - Edmonton Sun website re: Alberta's oil royalties scandal could have come to light sooner if province had whistleblower protection law September 30 - Halifax Chronicle Herald re: Gaping legal loopholes allow for secret, unethical lobbying across Canada September 29 - Edmonton Sun re: Alberta Conservative government's bills 1 and 2 more loopholes than law -- secret, unethical activities by Cabinet ministers, their staff, appointees, government employees and lobbyists will remain legal if loopholes are not closed -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click here (PDF file), and of Bill 2, click here (PDF file) September 29 - Globe and Mail (Jane Taber's "Political Notebook" column) re: Democracy Watch's September 2001 ethics complaint about BCE Inc. giving then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien the gift of a round of golf with Tiger Woods September 29 - Toronto Star (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Prime Minister Stephen Harper's confidante Tom Flanagan ignores federal Conservatives and Liberal-controlled Senate's actual record on the so-called "Federal Accountability Act" in his book, To see details, click here September 22 - Edmonton Journal (editorial board editorial) re: Federal Conservatives continue to break promise to establish Public Appointments Commission to ensure merit-based appointments, continue patronage with appointment of former PEI Conservative Premier Pat Binns as Ambassador to Ireland September 12 - Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph re: Federal Conservatives have broken many of their democratic reform promises, and acted about half as democratically as they promised to, and so deserve a failing grade overall -- For more details, see Democracy Watch's June 13, 2007 news release September 12 - CBC.ca and 9 other media outlets (publishing Canadian
Press wire article) re: Federal Conservatives'
flawed public consultation on democratic reforms should be audited, valid
and meaningful consultation needed September 12 - The Suburban (Montreal, editor's editorial) re: Democracy Watch's call for an honesty-in-politics law September 12 - New Brunswick Daily Gleaner re: one court in New Brunswick regularly denying journalists access to copies of information that has already been made public in open court hearings September 8 - Calgary Herald re: re: federal Conservatives broke many election promises in the so-called "Federal Accountability Act", To see details, click here September 3 - Hill Times ("The Spin Doctors" question of the week re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal Conservatives' election advertisement financing investigation and court case shows need to give Elections Canada power and mandate to audit political finances September 10 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: (NOTE: link goes to HarperIndex.ca webpage) Federal Conservatives fail to keep election promise to establish Public Appointments Commission, continue patronage and cronyism with appointment of Pat Binns as Ambassador to Ireland, and through appointment by B.C. MP of Conservative candidate as "go to" person for another riding September - The Bottom Line magazine re: Effect of the federal Cabinet shuffle on government industry and financial policies September 4 - Canoe.ca (publishing Sunmedia wire article) re: Accountability
Act measure now in force bringing 50 government institutions under Access
to Information Act, but federal Conservatives broke election promise to
strengthen Act in more than 40 other ways September 4 - Toronto Star re: Federal Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has broken his election promise to create independent Public Appointments Commission to end patronage and cronyism September 4 - CBC.ca website re: Banks pay credit card companies 1% to calculate currency exchange rate on out-of-country purchases, and then overcharge their customers 2.5% September 4 - HarperIndex.ca website re: Federal Conservatives fail to keep election promise to establish Public Appointments Commission, continue patronage and cronyism with appointment of Pat Binns as Ambassador to Ireland, and through appointment by B.C. MP of Conservative candidate as "go to" person for another riding September 3 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives' election advertisement financing investigation and court case shows need to give Elections Canada power and mandate to audit political finances September 3 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor
by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal Conservatives' election advertisement
financing investigation and court case shows need to give Elections Canada
power and mandate to audit political finances August 30-31 - CBC.ca website and 9 other media outlet websites
(publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Federal Conservatives
continue to break promise to establish Public Appointments Commission to
ensure merit-based appointments, continue patronage with appointment of former
PEI Conservative Premier Pat Binns as Ambassador to Ireland August 30 - Prince George Citizen (editorial board editorial) re: Federal Conservative MP Dick Harris' appointment of Conservative election nominee Sharon Smith as the person voters in another riding should call for help with the federal government is an unethical action that should be investigated by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner August 29 - Vancouver Sun (Barbara Yaffe's column) re: Federal
Conservative MP Dick Harris' appointment of Conservative election nominee
Sharon Smith as the person voters in another riding should call for help with
the federal government is an unethical action that should be investigated
by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner August 29 - Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph re: Conservatives' court challenge of Elections Canada's decision to refuse to reimburse the expenses of more than 60 Conservative election candidates because the expenses were for TV ads that mainly addressed the national party campaign August 24 - Canoe.ca website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire
article re: Cheap
and portable video and audio recorders make many citizens into journalists
and evidence-gatherers at Montbello SPP protests and other events, increase
accountability of police August 22 - Winnipeg Free Press re: Banks' credit card operations charge a special extra fee to calculate the exchange rate on purchases made in other countries, a fee that is likely pure gouging August 16 - Globe and Mail re: Loopholes and high donation limits in Ontario's political donations law allow parties to hide donors, give Ontario best government secret money can buy August 16 - Toronto Star re: Loopholes in federal and Ontario lobbying laws allow political advisors to leave office and very soon afterwards help drug company push approval of vaccine August 15 - IPSnews.net re: Information made public by court ruling about RCMP role in Maher Arar situation shows need for changes closing loopholes in federal Canadian open government law and enforcement system August 13 - Toronto Star re: Canada's big banks battle for new customers in Greater Toronto area, but many hidden costs can hurt switchers August 13 - Globe and Mail (editorial board editorial) re: Federal Conservatives have failed, 243 days after Parliament passed the so-called "Accountability Act" to implement changes strengthening the federal lobbying regulation law, and to establish the Public Appointments Commission August 13 - TheTyee.ca website re: op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal -- to see the article on TheTyee.ca website, click here August 10 - Globe and Mail (John Ibbitson's column) re: regulation of lobbyists by Canadian and U.S. federal governments are similarly filled with loopholes August 10 - Hamilton Spectator (editorial board editorial) re: Federal Conservatives have failed, 243 days after Parliament passed the so-called "Accountability Act" to implement changes strengthening the federal lobbying regulation law, and to establish the Public Appointments Commission August 10 - Globe and Mail re: On his retirement, Justice John Gomery highlights that the Federal Conservatives have failed, 243 days after Parliament passed the so-called "Accountability Act" to implement changes strengthening the federal lobbying regulation law, and to establish the Public Appointments Commission August 10 - CFRA.com (Ottawa Talk Radio station) re: On his retirement, Justice John Gomery highlights that the Federal Conservatives have failed, 243 days after Parliament passed the so-called "Accountability Act" to implement changes strengthening the federal lobbying regulation law, and to establish the Public Appointments Commission -- To see brief article, click here August 9 - Rabble.ca website re: op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal August 6 - Hill Times re: Secret, unlimited donations still legal under federal elections law August 3 - Globe and Mail re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal election law limits some donations to limit unethical influence of wealthy interests, but secret, unlimited donations are still legal July 30 - Toronto Star re: More federal government politicians and officials have cars and drivers than found in big business sectors, costing Canadians millions of dollars July 30 - Hill Times re: Politicians who quit for no good reason before their term is up should face some costs July 27 - Toronto Star re: Federal Conservatives continue patronage appointments and cronyism, fail to establish promised independent Public Appointments Commission seven months after Accountability Act passed July 26 - HarperIndex.ca re: Media report cites internal sources who say Conservative Prime Minister's office has essentially ordered ministerial staff to donate to the Conservative Party, raising questions about violations of federal elections law July 25 - Toronto Star (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty is the best government policy, and so it should be required by law -- To see the op-ed as it was printed in the Toronto Star, click here July 20 - Edmonton Sun (column by Licia Corbella) re: Politicians
who quit for no good reason before their term is up should pay some costs
-- also published in the: July 19 - London Free Press (Sunmedia editorial board editorial
by Jeremy Loome) re: As
Democracy Watch has revealed, the federal Conservatives' so-called "Accountability
Act" is half as effective as the Conservatives claim, is not fully in force,
and fails to close more than 70 loopholes -- also published in the: July 7 - Toronto Star re: Atkinson Charitable Foundation's grant to Democracy Education Network and Democracy Watch July 4 - The Suburban (Quebec's largest English newspaper - publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty is the best government policy, and so it should be required by law July 3 - Winnipeg Free Press & Canada.com website: Belinda Stronach 2004 campaign surplus case and other cases raise questions about whether Elections Canada enforces law fairly, impartially and effectively July 2 - Calgary Herald and Canada.com website re: Calgary has "best mayor money can buy system" -- strict limits on donations needed to ensure wealthy interests do not have undue influence June 30 - Vancouver Sun (publishing column by Barbara Yaffe)
re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Scientific
Studies Show Even Small Gifts Have Undue Influence -- New Federal Ethics Watchdogs
Must Enforce Federal Rules That Prohibit Almost All Gifts to Politicians,
Staff, Appointees and Public Servants, and All Governments in Canada Must
Also Prohibit Gifts (June 22, 2007)-- To see Yaffe's column, click
here June 29 - CBC.ca website re: Federal Conservatives introduce anti-corruption regulations requiring financial institutions to track only foreign politicians' accounts, not Canadian politicians' accounts -- For details, see Democracy Watch's December 8, 2006 news release Summer 2007 - Capital Style Magazine re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices June 28 - VUE Weekly (Calgary's news and entertainment weekly -- publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty is the best government policy, and so it should be required by law -- To see the op-ed on the VUE Weekly website, click here June 25 - Hill Times (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty is the best government policy, and so it should be required by law June 20 - Straightgoods.ca (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty is the best government policy, and so it should be required by law June 20 - HarperIndex.ca re: Who Will Guard the Guard? Fully Independent and Empowered Inquiry Needed Into Many RCMP Actions -- Public Appointments Commission and Other Changes Needed Before Appointment of Commissioner or Any Other Government Accountability Watchdogs -- To see the HarperIndex.ca article, click here June 18 - Hill Times re: evidence shows that fairness of $17 billion in recent military hardware contracts should be seriously questioned June 16 - Victoria Times Colonist (publishing op-ed by Iain Hunter) re: Democracy Watch's proposals set out the detailed road map to government required to be honest, ethical and open Summer 2007 - Making Waves magazine (Volume 18, No. 1 - (printing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator and Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher) re: Price of lack of bank accountability is too high, as the U.S. recognized 30 years ago June 14 - Edmonton Sun re: Alberta's
new Conservative Premier Ed Stelmach has blundered badly with donations and
ethics scandals, and by introducing loophole-filled bills changing lobbying
and ethics rules -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click
here (PDF file), and of Bill 2, click
here (PDF file) June 14 - Metro newspaper (free daily in Ottawa) re: (NOTE: link is to an Ottawa Citizen article on the same subject) City of Ottawa officials responsible for waste management accept invitation to private box at Ottawa Senators playoff hockey game of Waste Management of Canada company seeking approval for expansion of dump in Ottawa area, raising serious ethics rules questions June 12 - Ottawa Citizen re: City of Ottawa officials responsible for waste management accept invitation to private box at Ottawa Senators playoff hockey game of Waste Management of Canada company seeking approval for expansion of dump in Ottawa area, raising serious ethics rules questions June 12 - St. John's Telegram re: Despite the strong, comprehensive recommendations in Chief Justice Derek Green's report on Newfoundland and Labrador politicians' spending scandals, changes to key laws could easily still be filled with loopholes, and enforcement could remain completely ineffective June 11 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives have broken many of their democratic reform promises, and acted about half as democratically as they promised to, and so deserve a failing grade overall -- For more details, see Democracy Watch's May 8, 2007 news release June 11 - Hill Times re: Bill C-54 limits loans to federal candidates and political parties from individuals, but not from financial institutions, which means any MPs with large loans will be in a conflict of interest on financial institution issues June 11 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: dishonesty in politics is a problem for many more politicians than just Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty June 11 - Ottawa Citizen website re: City of Ottawa officials accepting highly questionable gifts from companies lobbying the city government raises questions about city's ethics policies and enforcement June 9 - Edmonton Sun re: Conservative Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach faces another leadership campaign fundraising scandal, and again attempts to avoid accountability June 2 - Edmonton Sun re: Alberta Conservative government refers loophole-filled Bill 1 (lobbying regulation) and Bill 2 (ethics law amendments) to new committees for review, but will Conservatives allow committees to close loopholes? June 2 - La Presse re: federal government officials should not be flying business class as it is waste of the public's money June 1 - Halifax Chronicle Herald re: Federal MPs taking trips with their spouses to Taiwan paid for by the Taiwan government are violating MP ethics rules June 1 - Ottawa Citizen (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Parliament should not close for the summer until Accountability Act is fully implemented, and other key ethics and money in politics bills pass May 31 - VUE Weekly (Calgary's news and entertainment weekly -- publishing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Recent Scandals Show How Much Open Government Measures Are Needed -- To see the article on the VUE Weekly website, click here May 30 - Canada.com website re: Federal
Conservative government regularly violating access to information law according
to Information Commissioner (Canada.com website, National Post,
and 3 CanWest News Service newspapers, May 30, 2007) May 28 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch news release: Recent Secrey Scandals Caused in Part by Federal Conservatives' Broken Election Promises -- Group Calls on Federal Parties to Introduce and Pass Open Government Bill (May 23, 2007) May 24 - Canada.com website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) article)
re: Federal
Conservative Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Jim Prentice
handpicks new land claims negotiators, as Conservatives continue to fail to
establish promised Public Appointments Commission May 23 - Canada.com website re: Federal
Conservatives continue patronage and cronyism while delaying establishment
of promised Public Appointments Commission (To see related article, click
here) May 21 - Hill Times (publishing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Recent Scandals Show How Much Open Government Measures Are Needed May 18 - Canoe.ca website re: New
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach's proposed lobbying disclosure law and conflict
of interest law changes contain same loopholes as other provinces' and federal
laws -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click
here (PDF file), and of Bill 2, click
here (PDF file) May 16 - Canada.com website re: Secret
donations to federal political party leadership candidates, especially Prime
Minister Stephen Harper, raise conflict of interest and hidden agenda questions
May 16 - Kitchener Waterloo Record (publishing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Recent Scandals Show How Much Open Government Measures Are Needed May 15 - Calgary Herald re: Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Cabinet ministers Lyle Oberg and Dave Hancock escape penalty from Ethics Commissioner for planning access-for-cash $5,000 event only because event was cancelled -- To see an Edmonton Journal article about the same situation, click here May 12 - Vancouver Sun re: B.C. lobbying scandals reveal loopholes in provincial lobbying law, and lack of enforcement of the law May 10 - Canada.com website re: Federal
Conservatives broke open government promises -- now claim excessive secrecy
and arrest of Environment Canada employee who leaked draft document are justified
May 9 - Canada.com website publishing Canadian Press (CP) article
re: Environment
Canada employee arrested during investigation into leak of federal Conservative's
draft plan on climate change issue May-June - This Magazine re: the federal Conservatives' so-called "Federal Accountability Act" is full of loopholes-- For details, click here May - The Bottom Line magazine re: Federal Auditor General shoud be given powers to order corrective actions and penalize people who, as in the RCMP pension scandal, violate government spending rules and laws May 2 - National Post (letter to the editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Prime Minister Stephen Harper continues to make false claims about his so-called "Federal Accountability Act" -- For details, click here May 1 - Toronto Sun (Linda Leatherdale's "Money" column) re: Ontario government follows federal government in failing to protect people with low incomes from predatory lenders -- For more information see the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) April 18, 2007 news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices April 26 - Ottawa Citizen re: Ottawa City Manager asked by city councillor to explain why former business colleagues of mayor were handed consulting contract without competitive bidding process April 25 - Ottawa Citizen re: Consultants facilitating Ottawa's city planning process were suggested by, and have past business links with, the mayor April 24 - Victoria Times Colonist re: Former B.C. government Deputy Minister in conflict of interest as a special adviser to the B.C. Premier and also a lobbyist April 21 - St. Albert Gazette (St. Albert's, Alberta) re: New Alberta Premier's proposed lobbying, ethics and parliamentary reforms not strong enough to ensure honest, ethical, open, representative and waste-preventing provincial government April 20 - Halifax Chronicle-Herald re: Public should not be paying for Prime Minister's image stylist, Conservative Party should be paying April 19 - Toronto Sun (Linda Leatherdale's "Money" column) re: Federal Conservatives heading toward letting Canada's 6 big banks continue to gouge 20 million bank customers with excessive self-service fees April 18 - Canoe.ca website and Ottawa Sun re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) news release (NOTE: the CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices April 17 - Hill Times (update article) re: Democracy Watch's January 25, 2007 news release: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby April 12 - Toronto Star re: Federal Conservative government contract for military hardware goes to company for which Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor used to be a lobbyist April 12 - Edmonton Sun re: Alberta Conservatives' proposed lobbying disclosure law is full of loopholes -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click here (PDF file), and of Bill 2, click here (PDF file) April 10 - Hill Times (update article) re: Democracy Watch's January 25, 2007 news release: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby April 10 - Hill Times (letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: NEWS RELEASE: Former Federal Ethics Commissioner Failed To Enforce Rules Many Times, Does Not Deserve Severance Payment -- Next Commissioner Must Have Strict Enforcement Attitude and Experience (April 5, 2007) April 10 - The New 940 Talk Radio (Montreal - morning show) re: NEWS RELEASE: Former Federal Ethics Commissioner Failed To Enforce Rules Many Times, Does Not Deserve Severance Payment -- Next Commissioner Must Have Strict Enforcement Attitude and Experience (April 5, 2007) April 4 - StraightGoods.ca website re: Democracy Watch's news release: Federal Conservatives Should Stop Consultation on Democratic Reforms -- It Is As Much of a Sham As Liberals' Consultation in 2005 -- Audit, Valid Consultation and New Law Needed (March 29, 2007) April 3 - Edmonton Sun re: disclosure of donations to Alberta's political parties reveals how undemocratic and unethical the province's donations system is April 2 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's news release: Federal Conservatives Should Stop Consultation on Democratic Reforms -- It Is As Much of a Sham As Liberals' Consultation in 2005 -- Audit, Valid Consultation and New Law Needed (March 29, 2007) March 29 - Canada.com website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire
article) re: Federal
Conservatives's consultation on democratic reform issues as much of a sham
as federal Liberals' 2005 consultation -- For details, see Democracy Watch's
news release: Federal Conservatives Should
Stop Consultation on Democratic Reforms -- It Is As Much of a Sham As Liberals'
Consultation in 2005 -- Audit, Valid Consultation and New Law Needed (March
29, 2007) March 24 - Canada.com website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire
article) re: More
questions raised about federal Conservatives' sham public consultation on
state of democracy in Canada March 24 - Edmonton Journal re: Alberta Conservative Party leadership candidate Jim Dinning partially discloses donors to his campaign, missing key details March 23 - Toronto Star (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire
article) re: Federal
Conservatives holding a sham public consultation on state of democracy in
Canada March 21 - Ottawa Citizen re: Former federal Conservative staff people cashing in and becoming lobbyists as much as former Liberals -- See a related Globe and Mail article re: Federal Conservatives have broken their election promise to end secret lobbying of Cabinet ministers and top government officials March 21 - Toronto Star re: Independent audit of all banking fees only solution to gouging March 19 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's news release: Ethics Commissioner Again Fails To Enforce Ethics Rules -- Refuses To Deal With Complaints About Accountability Act and Income Trust Tax Broken Promises -- Democracy Watch Seeks Federal Politician To Re-File Complaints, Lawyer to Take Ethics Commissioner To Court (March 16, 2007) March 19 - Hill Times (letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Prime Minister Stephen Harper's lawyer Emanuel Montenegrino also lobbies the PM, creating clear conflicts of interest March 17 - Toronto Star (Ellen Roseman's column) re: Bank machine banking is convenient, but is the price fair? March 15 - Globe and Mail (publishing Canadian Press (CP)
wire article) re: Ethics Commissioner
Refuses To Deal With Complaint About MP Wajid Khan Switching Parties and
Keeping Report Secret -- Democracy Watch Calls on Commons Committee on Ethics
To Order Ethics Commissioner to Enforce "Honesty" Rule March 14 - CTV.ca website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article)
re: Ethics Commissioner Refuses To Deal
With Complaint About MP Wajid Khan Switching Parties and Keeping Report Secret
-- Democracy Watch Calls on Commons Committee on Ethics To Order Ethics Commissioner
to Enforce "Honesty" Rule -- To see the CTV.ca website article, click
here March 13 - Globe and Mail (publishing Canadian Press (CP)
wire article) re: Democracy
Watch calls on Ontario Premier to keep two-year-old promise to democratize
Ontario's political donations system March 13 - Vancouver Sun (publishing CanWest News service
article) re: Former
Conservative MP and party election campaign co-chair John Reynolds becomes
a lobbyist March 12 - Toronto Star (printing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator and Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher) re: Price of lack of bank accountability is too high, as the U.S. recognized 30 years ago March 12 - Hill Times (printing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator and Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher) re: Price of lack of bank accountability is too high, as the U.S. recognized 30 years ago March 11 - Ottawa Citizen (printing article by Democracy Watch Coordinator and Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher re: Price of lack of bank accountability is too high, as the U.S. recognized 30 years ago March 12 - CBC.ca website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article)
re: Conrad Black
and Hollinger Inc. case reveals systemic problem of corporate structures that
obscure accountability March 8 - Here magazine (Saint John, New Brunswick) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees March 8 - Edmonton Journal re: Alberta's Conservatives propose very flawed lobbying disclosure law -- will allow secret lobbying and unethical relationships between lobbyists and politicians, other government officials -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click here (PDF file), and of Bill 2, click here (PDF file) March 6 - Globe and Mail (letter to the editor by Federal Conservative Treasury Board minister Vic Toews) re: March 5 Globe and Mail article re: Federal Conservatives have broken their election promise to end secret lobbying of Cabinet ministers and top government officials March 6 - Toronto Sun (Linda Leatherdale's "Money" column) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees -- To see the article, click here March 5 - Maclean.ca website re: Federal Conservatives have broken their election promise to end secret lobbying of Cabinet ministers, their staff and top government officials March 5 - Globe and Mail re: Federal
Conservatives have broken their election promise to end secret lobbying of
Cabinet ministers and top government officials March 5 - Halifax Chronicle-Herald (Joey Fitzpatrick's column) re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees -- To see the article, click here March 5 - CBC.ca website (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article)
re: Conservative
federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty meets behind closed doors with bankers
to talk about banking fees -- will Flaherty do more than hold secret talks
about bank accountability? March 3 - Toronto Sun re: Ontario
politicians must change the political donations law to limit donations and
require full disclosure of donations before fall election March 3 - Halifax Chronicle-Herald re: the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch): Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer 10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees -- To see the article, click here March 3 - Ottawa Sun re: follow-up article to March 1, 2007 article re: Federal Conservatives continue to fail to establish independent Public Appointments Commission to ensure merit-based Cabinet appointments March 3 - Ottawa Citizen re: nicknames and other comparisons can be powerful ways to frame political debates, and politicians March 2 - Globe and Mail (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator and Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher -- NOTE: the CCRC is coordinated by Democracy Watch) re: Banking fees double while federal Finance Ministers do nothing March 1 - Canoe.ca website re: Federal
Conservatives continue to fail to establish independent Public Appointments
Commission to ensure merit-based Cabinet appointments March 1 - Calgary Herald re: Alberta's new Premier Ed Stelmach promises lobbying and government ethics reforms, but details released so far reveal proposals are weak and loophole-filled -- To see Democracy Watch's analysis of Bill 1, click here (PDF file), and of Bill 2, click here (PDF file) March 1 - Edmonton Journal re: Alberta's new Premier Ed Stelmach requires ineffective partial disclosure of minister office's expenses, raising questions about how effective other planned accountability reforms will be February 28 - Calgary Herald re: Alberta's new Premier Ed Stelmach discloses only some of his Conservative Party leadership campaign donors, raising ongoing conflict of interest questions February 28 - Edmonton Journal re: Alberta's new Premier Ed Stelmach discloses only some of his Conservative Party leadership campaign donors, raising ongoing conflict of interest questions (link takes you to a Calgary Herald article on the same topic as the Edmonton Journal article, also published on February 28, 2007) February 27 - Edmonton Journal re: lack of limits on donations and disclosure requirements for Alberta Conservative Party leadership race is a "best Premier money can buy" system and a recipe for corruption February 17 - The Canadian neswpaper website re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Half of Federal Accountability Act Not In Force, Despite Conservatives' False Claims -- Will All Parties Work Together to Correct the Government's 85 Remaining Undemocratic Flaws? (February 5, 2007) February 17 - Toronto Star re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Half of Federal Accountability Act Not In Force, Despite Conservatives' False Claims -- Will All Parties Work Together to Correct the Government's 85 Remaining Undemocratic Flaws? (February 5, 2007) February 16 - Toronto Star re: Federal government should require telecommunications companies to facilitate creation of a telecomm consumers watchdog group -- For details about how such a group could be created, go to Democracy Watch's Citizen Association Campaign webpage February 13 - Macleans.ca website re: Election ad disclosure rules, and Election Canada's investigative powers, for online media need to be strengthened to prevent false article-ads February 12 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? February 9 - The Independent (Newfoundland and Labrador weekly newspaper) re: spending scandal involving many members of the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature a symptom of how the loophole-filled spending-control system is the scandal in the provincial government February-March issue - Dialogue magazine re: NEWS RELEASE: Many Ontario Politicians on Unethical Gravy Train -- Propose To Raise Their Own Pay, But Not To Limit Donations, To Strengthen Ethics Rules, Or To Strengthen Democracy (December 19, 2006) February 6 - Toronto Sun re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE:Half of Federal Accountability Act Not In
Force, Despite Conservatives' False Claims -- Will All Parties Work Together
to Correct the Government's 85 Remaining Undemocratic Flaws? (February
5, 2007) -- To see the February 6, 2007 Sun Media article about this news
release, click
here February 5 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" February 5 - L'Express du Pacifique re: Bill C-2 (the so-called "Federal Accountability Act") closed some key loopholes in the federal government's political donations rules, but left some other key loopholes open -- To see details, see Democracy Watch's Summary of Key Measures in Bill C-2 (the so-called "Federal Accountability Act") (December 13, 2006) and also the "Political Donations loopholes" section in Democracy Watch's Summary of the 85 Undemocratic and Accountability Loopholes in the Federal Government (December 14, 2006) February 2 - The Lobby Monitor re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby February 2 - Newsline (Pakistan) re: Liberal-turned-Conservative MP Wajid Khan's actions raise serious questions about violations of federal ethics rules January 31 - Ottawa Citizen re: Clearance of Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai by RCMP yet another example of federal Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro blundering as he very publicly investigated Obhrai and claimed Obhrai had not acted properly January 30 - Winnipeg Free Press (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 29 - Straightgoods.com website re:Former Liberal Party of Canada (B.C.) President to testify in breach of trust scandal trial involving B.C. Liberal government employees January 29 - Dow Jones Newswire re: re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) NEWS RELEASE: (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 29 - Hill Times re: 15 of the 30 measures in the so-called "Federal Accountability Act" will only come into force when Cabinet approves them, and there is no requirement that Cabinet ever approve them January 29 - Hill Times re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby January 29 - Hill Times (letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby January 29 - 24hrs.ca (24 Hours - Vancouver free daily newspaper) re: Former Liberal Party of Canada (B.C.) President to testify in breach of trust scandal trial involving B.C. Liberal government employees January 29 - National Post (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 28 - Toronto Sun (Linda Leatherdale's "Money" column) re: Banks likely gouging customers with many excessive charges -- will federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty just talk the same old talk or will he do something to end the gouging? January 27 - Ottawa Citizen (Mark Sutcliffe's column) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) news release (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)): Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 27 - Vancouver Province (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 27 - New Brunswick Times and Transcript (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 27 - Ottawa Sun (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) Chairperson Duff Conacher (NOTE: The CCRC is a coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch)) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservative Finance Minister Talks the Talk on Bank Service Charges, But Will He Actually Use Bill C-37 to Require Banks to Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based on Fair Prices and Service, and to Prohibit Bank Mergers That Are Not in the Public Interest? January 26 - Ottawa Citizen re: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty must require banks to prove, through an independent audit, that all service charges are fair -- To see the interview with Duff Conacher, click on the link to the video on the right-hand side of the webpage this link takes you to -- For more details, click here to see the December 14, 2006 news release by the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), a bank accountability coalition coordinated by Democracy Watch January 23 - Ottawa Citizen re: Mayor of Ottawa appoints head of taxi company to public transportation advisory task force, ignoring clear conflict of interest January 22 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch Files Ethics Complaint Against Party-Switcher Wajid Khan -- Calls on Ethics Commissioner to Resign January 21 - Halifax Chronicle-Herald re: Small investors at risk, coalition calls on government to help create investor rights association January 20 - Ottawa Citizen re: lack of effective accountability and transparency rules and enforcement are raising serious questions about the ethics of sole-source contracting in huge military hardware purchases by the federal government January 19 - Globe and Mail (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: There's nothing wrong with restricting political defections January 19 - Kitchener-Waterloo Record (letter-to-the-editor by reader Peter Kofler) re: opinion piece by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Conservatives Half-Measures Not Enough to Clean Up the Federal Government January 15 - Hill Times re: Registrar of Lobbyists challenged in court by lobbyist found guilty by Registrar, but Registrar fails to refer case to police for possible charges -- To see the Hill Times article, click here January 15 - Halifax Daily News re: Problems with electronic voting outweigh benefits January 15 - Hill Times publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Political party-switchers and misleaders must face high penalties to stop abuse of voters' rights January 13 - Ottawa Citizen re: City of Ottawa demands citizen group pay costs for Charter Rights court case the group lost January 13 - Calgary Herald (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty-in-politics law needed to discourage and penalize political misleaders January 12 - CBC.ca website re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" -- To see CBC.ca article, go to re: Federal Conservatives delay establishing Accountability Act's Public Appointments Commission, and make 118 Cabinet appointments January 12 - Ottawa Citizen (John Robson's column responding to op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Honesty-in-politics law needed to discourage and penalize political misleaders January 12 - Vancouver Sun (publishing Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher's op-ed) re: Honesty-in-politics law needed to discourage and penalize political misleaders January 12 - Kitchener-Waterloo Record (opinion piece by Stephen Woodworth) re: opinion piece by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Conservatives Half-Measures Not Enough to Clean Up the Federal Government January 12 - Calgary Herald (editorial board editorial mentioning Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and two of his Cabinet ministers propose to sell access to themselves at event for $5,000, but criticism leads to cancellation of event January 11 - Edmonton Journal re: Alberta
Premier Ed Stelmach and two of his Cabinet ministers propose to sell access
to themselves at event for $5,000, but criticism leads to cancellation of
event January 11 - Vue Weekly (Edmonton's weekly news/entertainment newspaper) publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher's re: Political party switchers must face high penalties to stop abuse of voter rights January 11 - Georgia Straight (Vancouver's weekly news/entertainment newspaper) re: Democracy Watch files complaint that Prime Minister and federal Conservatives have been dishonest by failing to include promised measures in the so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 10 - Winnipeg Free Press (publishing Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher's op-ed) re: Honesty-in-politics law needed to discourage and penalize political misleaders January 10 - Ottawa Citizen (publishing Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher's op-ed) re: Honesty-in-politics law needed to discourage and penalize political misleaders January 10 - Winnipeg Sun (editorial board editorial) re: Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher's letter-to-the-editor Political party-switchers and misleaders must face high penalties to stop abuse of voters' rights -- To see the Sun editorial, click here January 10 - Globe and Mail re: op-ed by University of Calgary political science professor Tom Flanagan criticizing Democracy Watch's proposal for regulating political party-switchers (NOTE: Mr. Flanagan's criticisms are all based upon an inaccurate description of Democracy Watch's proposal) January 8 - Hill Times publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 8 - Hill Times re: Resignation of Chief Electoral Officer Jean Pierre Kingsley leads to speculation as to why he left January 6 - National Post (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Political party-switchers and misleaders must face high penalties to stop abuse of voters' rights January 6 - Ottawa Citizen re: Political
party-switchers must face penalties to discourage violations of voter rights
January 6 - London Free Press re: Political
party switchers must face penalties to discourage violation of voter rights
January 5 - CBC.ca website (posting on "Your View" webpage) re: Federal Liberal MP Wajid Khan violates ethics rules and voter rights by switching to the Conservatives January 5 - Saskatoon Star-Phoenix publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Media Helps Prime Minister Mislead Canadians on so-called "Federal Accountability Act" January 3 - Kitchener-Waterloo Record (opinion piece by Carla Francescutti) re: opinion piece by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Conservatives Half-Measures Not Enough to Clean Up the Federal Government
top II. 2007 Public Appearances in reverse chronological order GOVERNMENT HEARINGS 2007 April 17 - Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch and Chairperson of the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance re: bank fees and services issues -- See for details the CCRC's news release: Government and Committee Should Not Buy Banks' Claims About Fees And Services -- Audit Needed As U.S. Has Done For More Than 20 Years To Ensure All Canadians Served Well At Fair Prices March 22 - Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch and Chairperson of the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce re: financial institutions Bill C-37 -- See for details the CCRC's news release: Coalition Calls On Senate Committee To Strengthen Bill C-37 To Require Banks To Prove Their Record $19 Billion Profits Are Based On Fair Prices, Service, And Responsible Lending, And To Require Disclosure of Violators of Financial Laws February 19 - Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch and
Chairperson of the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC), appeared
before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance re: financial institutions
Bill C-37 -- See for details the CCRC's news release: Federal Finance Minister's Meeting with
Banks Should Be Public, Not Behind Closed Doors, and Banks Should Answer
10 Key Questions About Their Operations, Not Just About Bank Fees CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS / SPEECHES 2007 November 11 - Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch, presented in Toronto an overview of Democracy Watch's campaigns to Clean Up Canada's government accountability and corporate responsibility systems at the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) annual conference November 1 - Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch, presented an overview of Democracy Watch's campaigns to Clean Up Canada's government accountability and corporate responsibility systems at King's College (University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario) May 29 - Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch, presented in Winnipeg an overview of the federal Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (the new, so-called whistleblower protection law) compared to a fully effective law, at the Public Sector Management "Taking Care of Business" Workshop 2007 of the Financial Management Institute of Canada May 8 - Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher presented in Ottawa an overview of Canadian human rights laws and the operations of protection agencies, boards, commissions and courts, as well as Democracy Watch's democratic rights advocacy in Canada, to 12 visiting representatives of Russia's ombudsman and human rights protection agencies as part of the federal government's and federal Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Governance Advisory and Exchange Program (GAEP) -- Human Rights Study Tour |
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