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A list of links are set out below to media and public
appearances from 2008 and past years. 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 2008 Media Appearances and Public Appearances, in reverse chronological order. 2008 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. 2008 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. 2008 Media Appearances in reverse chronological order TV Radio Newspapers, Magazines and Web Media 1,020 media appearances in 2008 (including 161 national appearances) 2008 -- 46 TV appearances so far (including 26 national TV appearances) December 15 - Global TV (First National news show) re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE re: Scrooge Banks Will Gouge Canadians and Cut Services to Recover Their $16 Billion in Losses and Writedowns Unless Federal Government Finally Audits Charges, Interest Rates, Lending Records and Competition Levels -- New Financial Consumer Watchdog Groups Needed to Watch Banks and Investment Industry (December 16, 2008) -- NOTE: Link will take you to the website of the Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC) which Democracy Watch coordinates) December 5 - CTV's Canada AM (phone interview) re: Governor General makes most neutral call possible by proroguing Parliament, acting as a sort of referee in a championship game between weak Conservative team and weak Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition team December 4 - CTV Newsnet re: Governor General makes most neutral call possible by proroguing Parliament, acting as a sort of referee in a championship game between weak Conservative team and weak Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition team November 29 - CTV.ca re: Federal opposition parties call Conservative government's weak-hand bluff on economic and public per-vote funding of political parties -- click on link on page to see video of interview of Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) October 20 - Issues Channel ("Its Your Government" show) re: Honesty-in-politics law would help stop misleading spin by politicians October 15 - CBC TV news (Ottawa) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 2 - CTV local news affiliates across Canada re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights October 3 - LCN (Québec (French) all news network) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights October 3 - CHCH (Hamilton, Ontario - @5:30 show (repeat broadcast at 11:30 pm) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights September 16 - CHCH (Hamilton, Ontario - @5:30 show (repeat broadcast at 11:30 pm) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 16 - CHCH (Hamilton, Ontario - @5:30 show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 2 - CBC TV (Ottawa news) re: appointment of election candidates by party leaders makes MPs lapdogs for the leaders, instead of representatives of voters July 31 - CBC TV's "News Morning" show re: Federal government's proposed so-called "do-not-call" list has so many loopholes that people who do not want to be called by any telemarketers will still be called by charities. political parties, surveying companies, newspapers selling subscriptions and all companies they have done business with over the previous 18 months April 25 - CBC TV's "Politics with Don Newman" show re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) April 21 - CBC TV's "The National" re: Elections Canada calls on RCMP to assist in search of national Conservative Party headquarters for documents concerning alleged overspending by the Party during the 2006 federal election -- To see details about the story on the CTV.ca website, click here -- To see details on the CBC.ca website, click here April 16 - CTV's Canada AM early morning show re: Elections Canada calls on RCMP to assist in search of national Conservative Party headquarters for documents concerning alleged overspending by the Party during the 2006 federal election -- To see details about the story on the CTV.ca website, click here -- To see details on the CBC.ca website, click here April 2 - CTV Newsnet (evening feature interview) re: Prime Minister Stephen Harper's advisor David Johnston issues second report on Mulroney-Schreiber affair and echoes call in his first report for a limited public inquiry April 2 - CTV Newsnet (evening feature interview) re: House of Commons Committee issues report on Mulroney-Schreiber hearings and calls for a full public inquiry, and Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Federal Ethics Commissioner’s Decision Allowing Prime Minister Harper and His Cabinet To Set Terms of Reference of Inquiry and To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber (February 19, 2008) March 13 - CTV Newsnet (evening feature interview) re: Justice John Gomery criticizes federal Conservatives for failing to respond to his recommendations, and failing to keep Accountability Act promises March 13 - Global TV news (Vancouver) re: re: B.C. Special Prosecutor had clear evidence that lobbyist broke Criminal Code prohibition on influence-peddling, but lets lobbyist off the hook based on lame excuse that he didn't think he was doing anything wrong (NOTE: link takes you to a Vancouver Sun article about the situation March 7 - CTV Newsnet (afternoon feature interview) re: case of leak by Prime Minister's Office senior staff person Ian Brodia of conversation with advisor to U.S. Democratic Party Presidential candidate Barack Obama about Obama's promises concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and re: case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 5 - CPAC (Prime Time Politics show (late evening repeat broadcast)) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 5 - CPAC (Prime Time Politics show) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 2 - Global TV News re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 29 - CTV Newsnet (evening feature interview) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 29 - CHTV's "@ 5:30" show (Southwestern Ontario) repeat broadcast at 11:30 pm re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 29 - CHTV's "@ 5:30" show (Southwestern Ontario) at 5:30 pm re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 28 - CTV Newsnet (afternoon feature interview) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 20 - APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) re: secretive internal fraud investigation in Manitoba section of the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs yet another example of how federal government's accountability system is full of loopholes and weak enforcement practices February 17 - Goldhawk Live (CPAC) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Liberals’ Fundraising Auction of Cash for Access to MPs Violates Canada Elections Act and MPs’ Ethics Rules -- Party and MPs Must Be Penalized (February 15, 2008) February 10 - Goldhawk Live (CPAC) re: need for a law requiring meaningful public consultation on significant issues (such as the war in Afghanistan) and a law defining what is a matter of confidence in Parliament votes January 20 - IChannel show re: the power, and lack of accountability, of the Prime Minister and provincial premiers in Canada January 16 - CTV Newsnet (feature interview) re: (NOTE: link takes you to a Hill Times article on the same subject) Federal Conservative Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn practises worst form of politics by being rabidly partisan and dishonest about nuclear safety issue January 16 - CTV Newsnet (feature interview) re: (NOTE: link takes you to a Hill Times article on the same subject) Federal Conservative Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn practises worst form of politics by being rabidly partisan and dishonest about nuclear safety issue January 14 - IChannel show re: the power, and lack of accountability, of the Prime Minister and provincial premiers in Canada January 11 - CTV Newsnet (feature interview) re: David Johnston delivers report to Prime Minister Harper on terms of reference for inquiry into Mulroney-Schreiber affair and Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Ethics Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule (January 9, 2008) January 7 - CHTV's "@ 5:30" show (Southwestern Ontario) at 11:30 pm re: Canoe.ca website and 9 other media outlets (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Federal Conservatives break their election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying of the federal government, and are dishonest about their actions January 7 - CHTV's "@ 5:30" show (Southwestern Ontario) at 5:30 pm re: Canoe.ca website and 9 other media outlets (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Federal Conservatives break their election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying of the federal government, and are dishonest about their actions
2008 -- 275 radio appearances so far (including 10 national radio appearances) December 23 - CJBK Radio (London, Ontario - morning show) re: Prime Minister Harper's Senate and Supreme Court appointments are two of four appointment promises the Conservatives have broken, and add to their 27 other broken democratic reform promises Also interviews on the same subject on: - CKRM Talk Radio (Saskatchewan - Roger Currie morning show); - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - "Lunch Bunch" show) - 570 News Talk Radio (Kitchener, Ontario -- afternoon show) - CBC Halifax (afternoon show) December 22 - CBC Radio (Saskatchewan - noon phone-in show) re: Prime Minister Harper's Senate and Supreme Court appointments are two of four appointment promises the Conservatives have broken, and add to their 27 other broken democratic reform promises ( Also interview on: - AM 800 Talk Radio (Windsor, Ontario -- the afternoon show with Melanie Deveau), and; - QR77 Alberta Talk Radio ("The World Tonight" show) December 12 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show) re: Democracy Watch's REPORT CARD: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Government Democracy and Accountability - and news broadcasts about the Report Card on five other radio stateions across Canada December 9 - CFUV Radio (Victoria - Rick's Radio show) re: showdown in Parliament between federal political parties and Democracy Watch's work generally December 3 - Jeff Farias show (syndicated U.S. radio show) re: showdown in Parliament between federal political parties December 3 - CKRM Talk Radio (Saskatchewan - Roger Currie show) re: showdown in Parliament between federal political parties December 2 - 570 News Radio (Kitchener, Ontario - morning show) re: showdown in Parliament between federal political parties December 1 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax news re: showdown in Parliament between federal political parties November 28 - CBC Radio news (British Columbia) re: democratic public funding of federal political parties vs. B.C.'s undemocratic no-donation-limits system November 29 - CBC Radio's "The House" show re: Federal opposition parties call Conservative government's weak-hand bluff on economic and public per-vote funding of political parties -- click on link on page to see video of interview of Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) November 27 - CBC Radio's "As It Happens" show re: Federal Conservatives' proposal to cut public per-vote political party funding to zero goes to far, but funding should be cut in half November 25 - VOCM (Newfoundland and Labrador - "Nightline" show) re: decision by Conservative and NDP politicians on committee to cut government funding for provincial Liberal Party October 29 - CKRM Talk Radio (Saskatchewan - Roger Currie show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - Michael Harris afternoon show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - Radio Canada news (French) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - CBC Radio news (Calgary) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - CBC Radio news (Nunavut) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - CBC Radio news (Nova Scotia) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - CBC Radio (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. - Maritime Noon show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - 570 News Radio (Kitchener, Ontario - Gary Doyle noon show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 14 - CBC Radio news (Nova Scotia) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 14 - CBC Radio Yukon (morning show) re: Canadian firsts and foremosts in the world October 10 - CFUV Talk Radio (Victoria, B.C.) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 8 - CHUO Ottawa ("Click Here" afternoon show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election and ethics court cases October 8 - CKLW Windsor ("Windsor Now" afternoon show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 8 - CBC Radio (New Brunswick - morning show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 7 - CBC Radio (Nunavut) re: Lack of required ID shuts out some northern voters October 6 - CHUO (Ottawa - "Click Here" show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election and Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) October 3 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 3 - 40 radio stations' news broadcasts across Canada re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 2 - CFRB Talk Radio (Toronto) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights October 2 - Gatineau, Québec Talk Radio re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights October 1 - 40 radio stations' news broadcasts across Canada re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights September 18 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 17 - CJOB Talk Radio (Winnipeg - Geoff Currier evening show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 17 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - the Ron Corbett evening show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls For “Political Hot Air Tax” to Penalize False Promises and Statements (September 17, 2008) September 16-17 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta) re: report of Elections Alberta agency recommending democratizing changes to Alberta's elections September 15 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - the "Lunch Bunch" show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 15 - CKRM Talk Radio (Saskatchewan - Roger Currie show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 12 - 570 News Talk Radio (Kitchener - Gary Roberts afternoon show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 12 - CFRB Talk Radio (Toronto - Jim Richards morning show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) September 7 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta) re: Democracy Watch news release NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives’ False Claims About Fixed-Election-Date Law Bite Back -- Federal Election Should Not Be Held Until House of Commons Votes Against Significant Government Measure, and Until Other Key Issues are Resolved (September 5, 2008) September 5 - CBC Radio (Maritime Noon phone-in show) re: Democracy Watch news release NEWS RELEASE: Conservatives’ False Claims About Fixed-Election-Date Law Bite Back -- Federal Election Should Not Be Held Until House of Commons Votes Against Significant Government Measure, and Until Other Key Issues are Resolved (September 5, 2008) September 2 - CIUT (University of Toronto radio - Take 5 show) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Court Justice Orders Democracy Watch To Pay In Advance $10,000 in Costs or Face Dismissal of Its Appeal of a Federal Court Ruling That Legalizes Lobbyists Raising Money and Doing Favours for Cabinet Ministers They Lobby (August 15, 2008) and federal Conservatives' election ad spending scheme August 26 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - Michael Harris in the Afternoon show) re: possible election call by Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, breaking his promise to comply with the fixed election date law passed by his government August 15 - CBC Radio News (Vancouver) re: Federal Conservatives using MP's to send out promotional pamphlets to voters in non-Conservative-represented ridings, raising questions of violations of House of Commons mail rules and waste of the public's money July 30 - CKLN Ryerson Talk Radio (Toronto - "Wednesday Word of Mouth" show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal Conservatives broke almost half of their government accountability and democratic reform promises -- will any federal political party take the lead on these key issues? and Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Prime Minister Harper Fails to Respond to Complaint About Minister Van Loan’s Dishonesty On Group’s Position On Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme (July 17, 2008) July 30 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: Times & Transcript article re: Like governments across Canada, New Brunswick provincial government claims privacy law means public has no right to know details about their public servant employees, such as salaries and wrongdoing July 14 - CKRM News Radio (Saskatchewan - morning show with Roger Currie) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years July 11 - 570 News Radio (Kitchener, Ontario - afternoon show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years July 11 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - Lunch Bunch show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years July 11 - CBC Radio Saskatchewan (morning show) re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years June 16 - CFRA (Ottawa talk radio - "Michael Harris in the Afternoon" show) re: WEBSITE ARTICLE: Trips by federal Conservative Cabinet ministers and their staff raise serious questions about whether taxpayers paid for political party expenses, and reveal loopholes in spending disclosure (Toronto Star, June 16, 2008) May 27 - CBC Radio (Saskatchewan - The Early Edition) re: Saskatchewan one of only four provinces that don't limit political donations, resulting in best provincial government money can buy May 27 - The New 940 (Montreal talk radio - early morning show) re: Canada's big banks' mortgage and credit card interest rates go up when prime lending rate increases, but don't go down when rate decreases May 20 - CBC Radio news across Canada (at least 20 stations) re: customer dissatisfaction with airlines and how to improve service through the creation of an Airline Passengers Organization May 19 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) and at least 30 other radio stations across Canada re: Canadian Press wire article re: Federal Conservatives continue to break Accountability Act promises, exempt House of Commons, Senate and CSIS contracts from scrutiny of new Procurement Ombudsman (NOTE: link takes you to the article on CTV.ca) May 18 - The New 940 (Montreal talk radio - Sunday morning show) re: responding to Quebec Premier Jean Charest's weekly address (this week, on the issues of public consulation, effective regulation, and honesty in politics) May 16 - CBC Radio news (B.C.) re: B.C. bill that changes election finance system by introducing limits on spending by candidates, parties and by third parties on paid advertising for 120 days before fixed election date May 13 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show) re: DEBATE: Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher debates Gerry Nicholls of the U.S.-based Democracy Institute on laws limiting spending on paid advertising by individuals and interest groups during election-campaign periods -- MP3 format and Edmonton Journal article re: Alberta political parties respond to Democracy Watch's call for political finance reforms, finally May 9 - 50 radio stations across Canada (via Broadcast News network re: Canadian Press wire article (click on link to see article on Canoe.ca)) re: Federal and Manitoba governments gag government contractors, prohibited from talking publicly about contracts May 8 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - "Michael Harris in the Afternoon" show) re: article in Halifax Chronicle-Herald re: Federal Ethics Commissioner finds Liberal MP in conflict of interest over Mulroney-Schreiber affair, even though she ruled in January that Prime Minister Harper and his Cabinet ministers were not in conflict of interest -- NOTE: To see details of Democracy Watch's court challenge of the Commissioner's ruling that PM Harper and his Cabinet ministers are not in a conflict of interest over the Mulroney-Schreiber affair, click here May 6 - News 88.9 Saint John, Moncton, Halifax ("The Afternoon News" show) re: federal Conservatives stop publication of monthly list of access-to-information requests -- To see an article about the registry on CBC.ca, click here April 29 - CFRA Talk Radio (Ottawa - "Lunch Bunch" show) re: climate change and science in politics generally, and Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) April 25 - CBC Radio (Saskatchewan morning show) re: Saskatchewan government's proposal to hide government spending totalling less than $350,000 for up to one year April 12 - New 940 (Montreal talk radio - "Drive Home with Jim Duff" show) re: NEW RELEASE: Democracy Watch Appeals Federal Court Ruling That Legalizes Lobbyists Raising Money and Doing Favours for Cabinet Ministers They Lobby (April 11, 2008) April 10 - CBC Radio's "Maritime Noon" phone-in show re: Nova Scotia's "Democracy 250" multi-million dollar celebration is typical government propaganda about democracy in Canada while every government in Canada has dozens of gaps and loopholes in its good governance systems and Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada 8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy, Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada (January 30, 2008) February 24 - The New 940 (Montreal talk radio - Sunday morning show) re: Quebec Premier Jean Charest's weekly address about minority government and hockey violence scandal March 14 - CFOS Radio (Owen Sound, Ontario - morning show) re: Justice John Gomery criticizes federal Conservatives for failing to respond to his recommendations, and failing to keep Accountability Act promises March 7 - Vancouver Co-op Radio Ottawa ("Wake Up with Co-op" morning show with Charles Boylan) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 5 - CFRA Talk Radio Ottawa ("Chatroom" morning show with Mark Sutcliffe) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 4 - CBC Radio news (Alberta) re: reasons for record low voter turnout in Alberta's provincial election and what can be done to increase voter turnout March 4 - CBC Radio Vancouver (Early Edition morning show) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 2 - VOCM Talk Radio (Newfoundland and Labrador) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget March 2 - CKNW Talk Radio (Vancouver) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 28 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - "The World Tonight" show) re: opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties and case of allegations that Conservative Party of Canada offered a bribe of a $1 million insurance policy to fomer independent MP Chuck Cadman if he would vote against the spring 2005 Liberal government budget February 24 - The New 940 (Montreal talk radio - Sunday morning show) re: Quebec Premier Jean Charest's weekly address about Castonguay commission report on Quebec's health care system February 20 - CKLN Ryerson Talk Radio (Toronto - "Wednesday Word of Mouth" show) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Federal Ethics Commissioner’s Decision Allowing Prime Minister Harper and His Cabinet To Set Terms of Reference of Inquiry and To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber (February 19, 2008) and Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists’ Ruling that Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby, and of Federal Lobbying Ethics Enforcement System, in Federal Court in Toronto on Monday (January 25, 2008) and Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Liberals’ Fundraising Auction of Cash for Access to MPs Violates Canada Elections Act and MPs’ Ethics Rules -- Party and MPs Must Be Penalized (February 15, 2008) and Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada 8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy, Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada (January 30, 2008) February 20 - CBC Alberta Radio's "Eye Opener" (Calgary morning show) re: Alberta still allows Premier and ruling party to select front-line election returning officers, unlike Mexico and Canadian federal government and provinces British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador (who all have merit-based, independent processes for selecting returning officers) February 10 - CBC Radio's "The Sunday Edition" (host Michael Enright's "essay") re: Democracy Watch's Open Government Campaign and May 23, 2007 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 -- To hear Mr. Enright's essay, click here and then click on the February 10th show link February 2 - CBC Radio's "The House" 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 hear the piece, click here then click on the link for the February 2nd show (the piece starts 15 minutes and 50 seconds into the show, and ends 24 minutes and 35 seconds into the show January 31 - CBC National Radio News re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability January 25 - CBC Radio Saskatchewan (Blue Sky noon phone-in show) re: As many Canadian political parties do, Saskatchewan's new ruling party has fired 70 top government officials in order to replace them with people who are compleletely loyal to the party (a dangerously undemocratic and unethical action) January 21 - QR77 Talk Radio (Alberta - Calgary Today show with Mike Blanchard) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC - which is coordinated by Democracy Watch) NEWS RELEASE: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Must, At The Very Least, Require Banks To Prove Their Credit Card Interest Rates and Service Charges are Fair -- Mergers Not in Public Interest -- Competition, Service Study Needed If Merger Ban Reconsidered January 10 - CKRM Regina (the morning show with Roger Currie) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Ethics Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule (January 9, 2008) January 10 - CIUT Radio (Toronto -- "Take Five" morning show) re: Canoe.ca website and 9 other media outlets (publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Federal Conservatives break their election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying of the federal government, and are dishonest about their actions
NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES and WEB MEDIA 2008 -- 699 print and web media appearances so far (including 123 national appearances) December 31 - 24 Hours (free daily newspaper) re: Lack of honesty, ethics and openness biggest turnoffs for Canadian voters, but politicians across the country continue to fail to address these issues December 29 - Canada.com re: Just like the Liberals did, federal Conservatives fail to penalize company that failed to deliver new military helicopters on time to the government Also published by the National Post and 10 other CanWest newspapers across Canada December 27 - National Post (publishing letter-the-editor about December 23rd letter by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Prime Minister Harper's Senate and Supreme Court appointments are two of four appointment promises the Conservatives have broken, and add to their 27 other broken democratic reform promises December 23 - National Post (publishing letter-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Prime Minister Harper's Senate and Supreme Court appointments are two of four appointment promises the Conservatives have broken, and add to their 27 other broken democratic reform promises Also published by: - Moncton Times and Transcript (New Brunswick); - Saint John Telegraph Journal (New Brunswick), click here - Toronto Star; - Ottawa Citizen; - Sudbury Star December 23 - Globe and Mail re: Conservative Prime Minister Harper' appointment of CTV journalist Mike Duffy raises questions December 23 - Toronto Star re: Harper blasted for Senate appointments December 23 - Sault Star re: Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper hands out Senate appointments mainly to Conservative Party loyalists Also published by: - Timmins Daily Free Press, click here December 20 - Hamilton Spectator re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals have failed in past 20 years to enact effective bank lending accountability measures Also published by: - Toronto Star, click here December 20 - Saskatoon StarPhoenix (editorial board editorial) re: Federal Conservatives broke their election promise to establish an independent Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), must now make the PBO independent December 17 - Canoe.ca and 20 other media outlets across Canada (all publishing a Canadian Press wire article) re: Retired federal NDP MP Bill Blaikie will, if he wins seat in Manitoba legislature, collect his federal pension and provincial salary December 17 - Straightgoods.ca re: CCRC NEWS RELEASE re: Scrooge Banks Will Gouge Canadians and Cut Services to Recover Their $16 Billion in Losses and Writedowns Unless Federal Government Finally Audits Charges, Interest Rates, Lending Records and Competition Levels -- New Financial Consumer Watchdog Groups Needed to Watch Banks and Investment Industry (December 16, 2008) -- To see Straightgoods.ca article, click here December 15 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: As International Anti-Corruption Day Passes By, Canadian Governments Continue to Fail to Fulfill UN Convention Against Corruption Requirements (December 9, 2008) December 12 - Canoe.ca and 23 media outlets across Canada (all publishing a Canadian Press wire article) re: Democracy Watch's REPORT CARD: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Government Democracy and Accountability -- To see Canadian Press wire article about the Report Card published by 23 media outlets across Canada, click here December 12 - Canoe.ca and 13 other media outlets across Canada re: Prime Minister Stephen Harper breaks yet another democratic reform promise by appointing 18 Senators December 12 - HarperIndex.ca re: Conservative Prime Minister Harper's former Chief of Staff Ian Brodie joins Hill & Knowlton lobbying firm to give strategic advice to clients, raising questions about enforcement of federal Conflict of Interest Act December 10 - VUE Weekly (Calgary) re: Governor General made most neutral decision possible, and unless coalition is very solid will likely call an election if federal opposition parties vote against Conservatives budget, an election that will show whether voters are actually engaged in federal politics at a higher level than usual December 10 - Barry's Bay This Week (Ontario community newspaper near Barrie) re: op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal political parties reveal how much self-interest motivates them in fight over their public funding -- A democratic compromise is to cut per-vote funding in half -- To see newspaper article, click here December 8 - Toronto Sun (Moira MacDonald's column) re: Toronto District School Board enforces its own ethics code, which puts them in a conflict of interest -- all municipal ethics codes should be enforced by provincial Integrity Commissioner December 8 - Hill Times (publishing letter-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties December 6 - Toronto Star re: op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal political parties reveal how much self-interest motivates them in fight over their public funding -- A democratic compromise is to cut per-vote funding in half -- To see Star article, click here December 3 - Ottawa Citizen re: Frank McKenna turns down role as economic adviser to federal Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition, a position that likely would have been full of conflicts of interest given his roles with TD Bank and Bay Street finance firms Also published by: - Canada.com December 2 - Moncton Times and Transcript and National Post (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal political parties should stop their bluffing, set aside their self-interests, and reach a democratic compromise on funding for the economy, and for themselves Also published by: - Canada.com December 1 - Hill Times (publishing letter-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Senate Ethics Officer lacks key investigation powers compared to federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner December-January - Dialogue magazine re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation November 30 - Montreal Gazette (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal political parties reveal how much self-interest motivates them in fight over their public funding -- A democratic compromise is to cut per-vote funding in half Also published by: - Canada.com, click here November 29 - CTV.ca re: Federal opposition parties call Conservative government's weak-hand bluff on economic and public per-vote funding of political parties -- click on link on page to see video of interview of Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) November 28 - Canoe.ca and 21 other media outlets (all publishing a Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal Conservatives' proposal to cut public per-vote political party funding to zero goes too far, but funding should be cut in half November 28 - Georgia Straight re: Federal Conservatives' proposal to cut public per-vote political party funding to zero goes too far, but funding should be cut in half November 24 - Hill Times re: same subject as December 1, 2008 letter-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Senate Ethics Officer lacks key investigation powers compared to federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner -- To see Hill Times article, click here November 21 - Canoe.ca and 7 other media outlets (all publishing a SunMedia wire article) re: Honesty-in-politics law would help ensure reasonable debate in House of Commons, and accountability for broken promises November 21 - Toronto Star (publishing letter to the editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls For “Political Hot Air Tax” to Penalize False Promises and Statements (September 17, 2008) November 20 - The Telegram (Newfoundland and Labrador newspaper) re: decision by Conservative and NDP politicians on committee to cut government funding for provincial Liberal Party November 18 - Globe and Mail (publishing letter to the editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls For “Political Hot Air Tax” to Penalize False Promises and Statements (September 17, 2008) November 18 - Ottawa Citizen re: Federal Parliamentary Budget Officer plans to release state of economy report publicly despite attempts by House and Senate speakers to require reports to be released through them November 17 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives broke 2006 election promise to establish independent Parliamentary Budget Officer -- actual Accountability Act needed to close accountability loopholes, strengthen independence and powers of all enforcement agencies November 13 - Ottawa Citizen re: Planner in conflict of interest as he represents property development company at legal hearing just two months after leaving his job as Ottawa city planning staffperson November 13 - Law Times (Richard Cleroux's column) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 31 - Edmonton Journal (and 3 other CanWest News Service newspapers) re: Costs and details about renovations of Prime Minister's residence kept secret (or not?) for supposed "national security" reasons October 30 - Calgary Herald re: Online Internet voting is dangerous because system can be corrupted without any evidence of hacking October 30 - Victoria Times Colonist re: Fake calls to voters in B.C. riding violated federal Elections Act, and Elections Canada must investigate and make results public Also published by: - Canada.com October 28 - Canoe.ca and 23 other media outlets across Canada (all publishing a Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal Natural Resources Deputy Minister meets behind closed doors on task force with oil and gas industry lobbyists, then advises Cabinet minister on decisions affecting the industry October 27 - Maclean's magazine re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 25 - Victoria Times Colonist re: Fake calls to voters in B.C. riding violated federal Elections Act, and Elections Canada must investigate and make results public Also published by: - Canada.com October 25 - Ottawa Citizen re: Frank McKenna as leader of federal Liberals would create many conflicts of interest given his current role as TD Bank vice-chair Also published by: - Canada.com October 21 - Surrey Now (B.C. mainland community newspaper) re: Federal election lessons include that Prime Minister Harper will violate his own democratic reform laws if he thinks it is in his interest October 18 - Saskatoon Star Phoenix (column by Randy Burton) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election -- To see Burton's column on Canada.com, click here October 18 - Burnaby Now (B.C. mainland community newspaper) re: Federal election lessons include that Prime Minister Harper will violate his own democratic reform laws if he thinks it is in his interest October 18 - HOUR (Montreal weekly newspaper) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 18 - Carleton University newspaper (Ottawa) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 17 - The Times (Lower B.C. mainland community newspaper) re: Federal election lessons include that Prime Minister Harper will violate his own democratic reform laws if he thinks it is in his interest October 16 - Yukon News re: New voter ID requirements lead to some northern voters being turned away at election polls October 16 - CBC.ca re: New voter ID requirements lead to some northern voters being turned away at election polls October 15 - North Shore News (B.C. community newspaper) re: Federal election lessons include that Prime Minister Harper will violate his own democratic reform laws if he thinks it is in his interest October 15 - Toronto Star re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Illegal Federal Election Shows Clear Need For Changes to Increase Turnout, and Ensure Honesty, Fairness, Ethics and Representation October 15 - Defence Watch (Dave Pugliese's Canada.com blog) re: Parliamentary Budget Officer lacks needed power to penalize government officials who refuse to give him requested information October 13 - Vancouver Sun (column by Barbara Yaffe) re: Voters get last word in roller-coaster federal election campaign October 11 - Toronto Star (publishing opinion piece by Democracy Watch lawyer Peter Rosenthal) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 11 - Ottawa Citizen re: Effect of Green Party on federal election results depends on vote split in key ridings Also published by: - Canada.com October 10 - Ottawa Citizen re: Parliamentary Budget Officer lacks needed power to penalize government officials who refuse to give him requested information October 10 - Toronto Star (publishing opinion piece by Sinclair Stevens) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 10 - Toronto Star re: Canada's big banks fail to cut their prime lending rate to match cut by Bank of Canada October 9 - CBC.ca re: Lack of required ID shuts out some northern voters October 6 - Globe and Mail (Lawrence Martin's column) re: Liberals have no government accountable proposals in their election platform, giving Conservatives a free ride October 6 - Victoria Times Colonist (column by Iain Hunter) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election -- To see Hunter's column on Canada'com, click here October 6 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election October 4 - Ottawa Citizen re: City councillor uses arbitrary and invalid reasons to block appointment of person to city committee Also published by: - Canada.com October 4 - Canada.com re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election -- To see Canada.com article, click here Also published by: - National Post; - Calgary Herald - and five other CanWest News Service newspapers October 3 - Globe and Mail (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election -- To see the article in the Globe, click here Also published by: - 40 other newspapers and websites across Canada October 3 - CBC.ca re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ruling on Motion Means Court Challenge of Legality of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call Will Be Decided After the Election -- To see CBC.ca article, click here October 3 - Canada.com re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights -- To see Canada.com article, click here - Also published by: - Ottawa Citizen, click here October 2 - CBC.ca "Canada Votes Quiz" re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights October 2 - Toronto Star re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights October 1 and 2 - Globe and Mail re: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights -- To see the Globe article, click here October 1 - CBC.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Prime Minister's Federal Election Call -- Violates Fixed Election Date Law and Charter Rights -- To see CBC.ca article, click here Also published by: - 40 other newspapers and websites across Canada October-November issues - Dialogue magazine re: Democracy Watch news release Conservatives’ False Claims About Fixed-Election-Date Law Bite Back -- Federal Election Should Not Be Held Until House of Commons Votes Against Significant Government Measure, and Until Other Key Issues are Resolved October 2008 issue - Literary Review of Canada re: letter to the editor by Peter Russell about review by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher of Peter Russell's book Two Cheers for Minority Government September 29 - Waterloo Region Record (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal Conservatives kept only half of their election promises September 28 - CTV.ca and 10 other media outlets across Canada (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal Conservatives broke half of their election promises, especially in area of increasing government openness and accountability September 22 - Hill Times re: polls mislead voters more than they educate them, espcially because of media's hyped-up headlines September 19 - Globe and Mail (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: New Brunswick government deputy minister works on report on post-secondary education, then leaves government to work at University of New Brunswick Also published by: - Moncton Times and Transcript September 19 - Edmonton Journal re: Edmonton Chamber of Commerce undemocratically charges federal election candidates a fee to participate in their all-candidates debate September 17 - CanadaFreePress.com re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls For “Political Hot Air Tax” to Penalize False Promises and Statements (September 17, 2008) September 16 - Ottawa Citizen (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls For “Political Hot Air Tax” to Penalize False Promises and Statements (September 17, 2008) September 16 - National Post (publishing letter-to-the-editor about September 15th letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: David Frum lied in his column about federal Conservatives' honesty September 15 - National Post (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: David Frum lied in his column about federal Conservatives' honesty September 15 - StraightGoods.ca re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Marks First International Day of Democracy -- Calls on Political Parties Across Canada to Make Democratizing Changes (September 15, 2008) September 15 - CanadaFreePress.com re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Marks First International Day of Democracy -- Calls on Political Parties Across Canada to Make Democratizing Changes (September 15, 2008) September 15 - Hill Times re: bills addressing loans to candidates, Senate reform, and seat distribution in House of Commons will likely be reintroduced after the federal election, as they address systemic problems September 15 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: loopholes in federal Lobbying Act mean that secret, unethical lobbying is still legal September 14 - CBC.ca (Reality Check" column on Canada Votes page) re: -- To see the CBC column, click here September 12 - Georgia Straight (Charlie Smith's election blog) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Canada Holds 40th Undemocratic Federal Election -- Canadians Will Elect Yet Another Undemocratic, Unaccountable Federal Government (September 12, 2008) -- To see the Straight's article, click here September 11 - Edmonton Sun (Kerry Diotte's column) re: Democracy Watch calls on federal party leaders to pledge to resign if they break election promises, and to pass honesty-in-politics law Also published by: - Portage Daily Graphic (Manitoba), click here - Central Plains Herald Leader (Manitoba), click here September 11 - Fredericton Daily Gleaner re: Fredericton community association using voter turnout as an indicator of level of community development September 8 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Democracy Watch news release Conservatives’ False Claims About Fixed-Election-Date Law Bite Back -- Federal Election Should Not Be Held Until House of Commons Votes Against Significant Government Measure, and Until Other Key Issues are Resolved September 6 - Canada.com (publishing CanWest News Service article) re: Election call by Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper violates constitutional conventions and his own fixed-election date law Also published by: - Victoria Times-Colonist, click here - Vancouver Province, click here - Vancouver Sun, click here - Calgary Herald, click here - Edmonton Journal, click here - Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, click here - Regina Leader-Post, click here - Windsor Star, click here - Ottawa Citizen, click here - Montreal Gazette, click here September 5 - Windsor Star (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal Conservatives should fix election date, not try to fix election results Also published by: - Edmonton Journal, click here - Saskatoon StarPhoenix, click here September 5 - rabble.ca re: Conservatives’ False Claims About Fixed-Election-Date Law Bite Back -- Federal Election Should Not Be Held Until House of Commons Votes Against Significant Government Measure, and Until Other Key Issues are Resolved September 2 - Ryerson Free Press re: full-length version of article published on August 18 on rabble.ca re: Ralph Nader's campaign for U.S. president, and how loopholes in U.S. and Canadian laws allow governments and corporations to act dishonestly, unethically, secretively, unrepresentatively and wastefully September 2008 issue - Literary Review of Canada re: Review by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher of Peter Russell's book Two Cheers for Minority Government Late August 2008 - A few newspapers across Canada (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Conservatives’ False Claims About Fixed-Election-Date Law Bite Back -- Federal Election Should Not Be Held Until House of Commons Votes Against Significant Government Measure, and Until Other Key Issues are Resolved August 31 - Toronto Star re: Opinion piece by Gillian Steward citing Democracy Watch's opinion about the state of democracy in Alberta August 18- Canoe.ca re: Registrar of Lobbyists increases size of secret lobbying loophole in federal lobbying law that Democracy Watch revealed eight years ago -- MPs falsely claim they did not know about loophole Also published by: - CanadianPress.com, click here - 1150 News Talk Radio (Vancouver), click here - CFKTV (Vancouver), click here - 660 News Talk Radio (Calgary), click here - Toronto Sun, click here - 680 News Talk Radio (Toronto) - KBS Radio (Toronto), click here - Belleville Intelligencer (Belleville, Ontario), click here - Guelph Mercury (Guelph, Ontario), click here - Niagara Falls Review, click here - Orillia Packet & Times (Orillia, Ontario), click here - Sault Star (Sault Ste. Marie), click here - Sarnia Observer (Sarnia, Ontario), click here - Sudbury Star (Sudbury, Ontario) - North Bay Nugget (North Bay, Ontario), click here - 570News.com (Kitchener, Ontario), click here - 610 CKTB Talk Radio (Niagara, Ontario), click here - Brantford Expositor (Brantford, Ontario), click here - Kingston Whig Standard, click here - Orleans Star (Ottawa), click here - Bugle-Observer (New Brunswick), click here August 18 - rabble.ca re: Ralph Nader's campaign for U.S. president, and how loopholes in U.S. and Canadian laws allow governments and corporations to act dishonestly, unethically, secretively, unrepresentatively and wastefully August 15 - Canoe.ca (publishing SunMedia wire article re: Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper uses lame excuse that "Parliament is not working" to try to justify calling an election before the new fixed federal election date of October 2009 Also published by: - Ottawa Sun - Toronto Sun, click here - London Free Press, click here - St. Catharines Standard, click here August 6 - CTV.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal Conservatives practise politics as usual by releasing negative reports late on Fridays, continuing their pattern of breaking their promise to end politics as usual Also published by: - Canoe.ca, click here - The Canadian Press.com, click here - CKTKTV (Vancouver), click here - CKFR (Talk Radio B.C.), click here - Medicine Hat News (Alberta), click here - Winnipeg Sun, click here - St. Catharines Standard, click here - Niagara Falls Review, click here - Guelph Mercury, click here - Chatham Daily News, click here - CJBK (Talk Radio Kitchener, Ontario), click here - Barrie Examiner, click here - Toronto Sun, Toronto Sun - CKTB (Talk Radio Toronto), click here - KBS (Talk Radio Toronto), click here - Belleville Intelligencer, click here - Orleans Star (Ottawa), click here - CJAD (Montreal Talk Radio), click here - CanadaEast.com, click here - Times and Transcript (New Brunswick), click here - Miramichi Leader (New Brunswick), click here - Kings County Record (New Brunswick), click here - The Northern Light (New Brunswick), click here August 6 - Times and Transcript (New Brunswick) re: Privacy laws used by governments across Canada to cover up wrongdoing, reduce accountability for waste Also published by: - The Daily Gleaner (New Brunswick), click here - New Brunswick Business Journal, click here August 4 - Hill Times re: New federal government inquiry system needed to ensure alleged wrongdoing is fairly investigated August 2 - Toronto Star re: Federal government officials sit on committee of cellphone industry association that lobbies federal government, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest and protection of the public interest August 1 - Ottawa Citizen re: New federal Canadian political donations and funding system still has big loopholes and flaws, but limits at least force parties to listen more to Canadians and address their concerns if they want to prosper financially Also published by: - Regina Leader Post, click here July 31 - Fredericton Daily Gleaner (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: New federal government inquiry system needed to ensure alleged wrongdoing is fairly investigated -- To see the op-ed on the Gleaner website, click here July 30 - Times & Transcript re: Like governments across Canada, New Brunswick provincial government claims privacy law means public has no right to know details about their public servant employees, such as salaries and wrongdoing July 27 - Canada.com re: Democracy Watch's court case challenging federal Ethics Commissioner's ruling that Prime Minister Harper and his Cabinet are not in a conflict of interest over Mulroney-Schreiber situation proceeds in Federal Court of Appeal after Commissioner's motion is rejected Also published by: - GlobalTV.com, click here - National Post, click here - Victoria Times Colonist, click here - Vancouver Sun, click here - Edmonton Journal, click here - Calgary Herald, click here - Saskatoon StarPhoenix, click here - Regina-Leader Post, click here - Ottawa Citizen, click here - Montreal Gazette, click here - Alaska Daily News, click here - Dose.ca, click here July 28 - Kitchener Waterloo Record (publishing op-ed by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: New federal government inquiry system needed to ensure alleged wrongdoing is fairly investigated July 28 - Globe and Mail re: Democracy Watch's court case challenging federal Ethics Commissioner's ruling that Prime Minister Harper and his Cabinet are not in a conflict of interest concerning the Mulroney-Schreiber situation proceeds in Federal Court of Appeal after Commissioner's motion is rejected July 28 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher says Federal Court will likely rule that local candidates should have claimed only 10%-20% of TV ad costs, not 100%, in federal Conservatives' ad spending scheme during 2006 federal election, and so Conservatives will be found guilty of overspending by about $900,000 July 26 - Calgary Herald re: Unlike other major Canadian cities, Calgary has no limits on donations or campaign surplus rules for city elections, resulting in the best city council money can buy Also published by: - Canada.com July 23 - Ottawa Citizen re: Canada Post, like many other corporations and government institutions, chooses insider as ombudsman which is as lapdog post with no powers to correct wrongdoing July 22 - Globe and Mail (printing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal Conservatives broke almost half of their government accountability and democratic reform promises -- will any federal political party take the lead on these key issues? July 21 - Hill Times (printing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: NEW RELEASE: Democracy Watch Appeals Federal Court Ruling That Legalizes Lobbyists Raising Money and Doing Favours for Cabinet Ministers They Lobby (April 11, 2008) July 19 - National Post (Jonathan Chevreau's "Wealthy Boomer" column) re: financial investors and consumers are on their own when dealing with abuse by financial institutions, solution is creation of Financial Consumer Organization - for details, click here -- To see Chevreau's article, click here July 19 - Calgary Herald re: Calgary's, and Alberta's, political donation systems allow for best undemocratic governments secret money can buy July 16 - St. Catharines Standard re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years July 15 - Saskatoon Star Phoenix re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years July 11 - National Post re: letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Federal Conservatives and Liberals do nothing to prevent gouging of Canadians by big businesses over past 20 years July 9 - Yukon News re: Federal Conservative Cabinet minister Rona Ambrose travels to Yukon for what is claimed to be a needed government announcement, but holds a fundraising event for the Conservative Party while there July 3 - Georgia Straight re: Federal Conservatives break election promise to prohibit Cabinet ministers, their staff, and senior government officials from dealing with matters in which they have a financial interest (Georgia Straight, July 3, 2008) June 30 - Canoe.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal Conservatives break election promise to require Cabinet ministers, their staff and senior government officials to disclose their contacts with lobbyists, leave open loopholes that allow for secret lobbying Also published by: - CanadianPress.com, click here - News 1130 AM Radio (Vancouver), click here - 1150 News Talk Radio (Vancouver), click here - CFTKTV (Vancouver), click here - KBS Radio (B.C.), click here - 660 News Talk Radio (Calgary, Alberta), click here - 680 News Radio (Toronto), click here - Orleans Star (Ottawa), click here - CanadaEast.com, click here - Bugle-Observer (New Brunswick), click here - Kings County Record (New Brunswick), click here - Miramichi Leader (New Brunswick), click here - The Northern Light (New Brunswick), click here - Victoria Star (New Brunswick), click here June 29 - Canoe.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Conservatives break election promise on five-year lobbying ban, leave open loopholes that allow Cabinet ministers, their staff and senior government officials to become a corporate lobbyist the same day they leave office Also published by: - CanadianPress.com, click here - News Talk Radio 1150 AM (Vancouver), click here - KBS Radio (B.C.), click here - CKFTV (Vancouver), click here - 660 News Radio (Calgary, Alberta), click here - Winnipeg Sun, click here - North Bay Nugget (North Bay, Ontario), click here - Niagara Falls Review (Niagara Falls, Ontario), click here - St. Catharines Standard (St. Catharines, Ontario), click here - Belleville Intelligencer (Belleville, Ontario), click here - CKWSTV.com (Kingston, Ontario), click here - Orleans Star (Ottawa), click here - Pembroke Daily Observer (Pembroke, Ontario), click here - CJAD Talk Radio (Montreal), click here - CanadaEast.com, click here - Kings County Record (New Brunswick), click here - The Northern Light (New Brunswick), click here - Bugle-Observer (New Brunswick), click here - Miramichi Leader (New Brunswick), click here - Victoria Star (New Brunswick), click here - Halifax Chronicle-Herald, click here - The Western Star (Newfoundland), click here June 26 - Globe and Mail re: Loopholes in Ontario's lobbying disclosure law hide amount of corporate lobbying, same as loopholes in federal and other provinces' laws June 23 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives' Bill C-29 only partially closes political loans loophole -- allows banks to continue to loan an unlimited amount to federal parties and candidates June 19 - Hamilton Spectator re: Provincial Ontario ombudsman on right track in proposing that ombudsman should be able to examine complaints about municipalities, hospitals and other government institutions as in other provinces June 16 - Toronto Star re: Trips by federal Conservative Cabinet ministers and their staff raise serious questions about whether taxpayers paid for political party expenses, and reveal loopholes in spending disclosure June 13 - Guelph Mercury re: Prime Minister should not have such a long time to call by-elections, as it gives his party an advantage, and leaves voters without a representative June 13 - New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal re: Provincial Liberal government proposing limiting debate on 19 bills to only 16 hours in order to shut down legislature early for the summer June 3 - 24hours.ca re: lobbyist in B.C. not required to register and disclose lobbying activities because of loopholes in provincial law (and same loopholes exist across Canada that allow for secret lobbying) June 3 - National Post (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: federal Conservatives have broken their promises to stop Cabinet minister staff and senior government officials from becoming lobbyists soon after then leave government, and to end secret lobbying June 2 - Calgary Herald (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: federal Conservatives have broken their promises to stop Cabinet minister staff and senior government officials from becoming lobbyists soon after then leave government, and to end secret lobbying June-July 2008 issue - Dialogue magazine re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Ethics Commissioner Files Motion to Try to Stop Court Review of Her Ruling That Prime Minister and His Cabinet Are Not in a Conflict of Interest Over Mulroney-Schreiber Situation, But Rules Liberal MP is in a Conflict of Interest (May 21, 2008) May 29 - Georgia Straight re: B.C. Liberal government proposes to limit spending on paid advertising by third parties (non-political parties) but fails to limit donations to candidates and parties, skewing election financing in favour of B.C. Liberal Party's corporate bankrollers -- To see the Straight article, click here May 26 issue - Maclean's magazine re: dishonesty of federal Conservatives, including Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) May 26 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Ethics Commissioner Files Motion to Try to Stop Court Review of Her Ruling That Prime Minister and His Cabinet Are Not in a Conflict of Interest Over Mulroney-Schreiber Situation, But Rules Liberal MP is in a Conflict of Interest (May 21, 2008) May 26 - StraightGoods.com re: article in TheTyee.ca re: B.C. Liberal government proposes to limit spending on paid advertising by third parties (non-political parties) but fails to limit donations to candidates and parties, skewing election financing in favour of B.C. Liberal Party's corporate bankrollers May 23 - Times and Transcript (New Brunswick) re: governments should use meaningful consultation processes such as study circles, citizen assemblies, and referenda when making significant decisions (such as whether to allow uranium mining in the province) May 21 - Winnipeg Free Press re: If Federal Conservatives appoint current Justice Minister Vic Toews to Federal Court, it will be pure patronage and cronyism May 20 - StraightGoods.ca re: Alberta political parties finally answer Democracy Watch's call for political finance reforms, but will upcoming bill limit only third-party spending on paid advertising, or will it also limit and require disclosure of all donations? May 21 - PacificFreePress.com re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Ethics Commissioner Files Motion to Try to Stop Court Review of Her Ruling That Prime Minister and His Cabinet Are Not in a Conflict of Interest Over Mulroney-Schreiber Situation, But Rules Liberal MP is in a Conflict of Interest (May 21, 2008) May 19 - Hill Times re: Federal Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson rules that Liberal MP Robert Thibault is in a conflict of interest because of Brian Mulroney libel lawsuit against him, in contrast to her ruling in January that Prime Minister Harper and his Cabinet are not in a conflict of interst over Mulroney-Schreiber situation -- To see Democracy Watch's news release on this issue, click here May 19 - CTV.ca and 32 other media outlets (publishing
Canadian
Press wire article) re: Federal
Conservatives continue to break Accountability Act promises, exempt
House of Commons, Senate and CSIS contracts from scrutiny of new
Procurement Ombudsman May 17 - Globe and Mail re: "Quotes of the Week" includes Duff Conacher's quotation from article in Toronto Star re: Elections Canada should prosecute federal Liberal leadership candidates for violating donation limits through loans to their vanity campaigns -- To see G&M webpage, click here May 15 - Times & Transcript re: opinion piece that cites Democracy Watch's call for donation limits and disclosure, and spending limits, in municipal lelections across Canada (including, of course, in New Brunswick) -- To see the opinion piece, click here May 14 - Toronto Star re: Elections Canada should prosecute federal Liberal leadership candidates for violating donation limits through loans to their vanity campaigns May 14 - Times & Transcript re: Low
voter turnout in New Brunswick municipal elections expected because of
lack of big issues and differences between main candidates, and lack of
honesty in politics May 12 - Hill Times re: search for first Commissioner of Lobbying to replace Registrar of Lobbyists May 12 - Western Standard blog re: re: Alberta political parties respond to Democracy Watch's call for political finance reforms, finally May 9 - Canoe.ca (publishing Canadian Press wire article) re: Federal
and Manitoba governments gag government contractors, prohibited from
talking publicly about contracts May 9 - Edmonton Journal re: Alberta
political parties respond to Democracy Watch's call for political
finance reforms, finally May 8 - Halifax Chronicle-Herald re: Federal Ethics Commissioner finds Liberal MP in conflict of interest over Mulroney-Schreiber affair, even though she ruled in January that Prime Minister Harper and his Cabinet ministers were not in conflict of interest (Halifax Chronicle-Herald, May 8, 2008) -- NOTE: To see details of Democracy Watch's court challenge of the Commissioner's ruling that PM Harper and his Cabinet ministers are not in a conflict of interest over the Mulroney-Schreiber affair, click here May 7 - Ottawa Citizen re: Federal
Conservatives' Department of National Defence extends its already
excessive secrecy to companies bidding
on contracts May 5 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by federal Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Christiane Ouimet) re: April 28th issue letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: federal Canadian whistleblower protection system is flawed in ways that have proven to be fatal in other countries May 3 - The Metropolitain (Montreal bi-weekly newspaper) publishing opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties May 1 - Georgina Advocate (YorkRegion.com) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) -- To see the article in the Georgina Advocate, click here April 30 - StraightGoods.com re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) -- To see the article on StraightGoods.com, click here April 28 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) April 28 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: federal Canadian whistleblower protection system is flawed in ways that have proven to be fatal in other countries April 25 - PacificFreePress.com re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Calls on Federal Minister Peter Van Loan To Apologize for Lying About Democracy Watch’s Position on Conservatives’ Election Spending Scheme -- Files Complaint Calling on Prime Minister Harper To Penalize Van Loan’s Blatant Dishonesty (April 25, 2008) April 21 - Hill Times re: NEW RELEASE: Democracy Watch Appeals Federal Court Ruling That Legalizes Lobbyists Raising Money and Doing Favours for Cabinet Ministers They Lobby (April 11, 2008) April 7 - Hill Times (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Demoracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher): Parliamentary Budget Officer lacks much-needed independence in latest of federal Conservatives' 30 broken government accountability promises (Hill Times, April 7, 2008) April 5 - Globe and Mail re: Federal Department of Finance still has no effective internal ethics enforcement system for senior public servants, 140 years after Canada became a country April 4 - CBC Radio news (B.C.) re: B.C. political parties funded by huge donations from corporations and wealthy interests and individuals, leading to provincial government that does not uphold public interest April 3 - New Brunswick Times and Transcript (in op-ed by Alec Bruce) re: Democracy Watch's call for laws to increase bank accountability in Canada March 31 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Federal Ethics Commissioner’s Decision Allowing Prime Minister Harper and His Cabinet To Set Terms of Reference of Inquiry and To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber (February 19, 2008) March 24 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Federal Ethics Commissioner’s Decision Allowing Prime Minister Harper and His Cabinet To Set Terms of Reference of Inquiry and To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber (February 19, 2008) March 15 - Ottawa Citizen re: Loopholes and lack of enforcement of ethics rules for Ottawa city government one of worst examples of city government problems across Canada March 14 - Sudbury Star (publishing opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties -- To see the article on the Star website, click here March 13 - The Georgia Straight (editorial - Vancouver weekly newspaper) re: Federal Conservatives's so-called Accountability Act broke most of their election promises, and so Conservative candidate does not deserve to be elected in Vancouver by-election March 12 - Vancouver Sun re: B.C. Special Prosecutor had clear evidence that lobbyist broke Criminal Code prohibition on influence-peddling, but lets lobbyist off the hook based on lame excuse that he didn't think he was doing anything wrong March 6 - Ottawa Citizen (publishing letter-to-the-editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Susan Riley's column in the Citizen that claimed Mulroney-Schreiber affair and Cadman-Conservatives affair are a distraction from the business of government March 6 - The Uniter (University of Winnipeg newspaper) and other university newspapers across Canada re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada 8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy, Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada -- To see The Uniter article, click here March 3 - Hill Times re: court ruling in case described in Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby (January 25, 2007) March 2008 - The Bottom Line (accounting industry magazine) re: David Brown's report on lack of accountabilkity in the RCMP February 29 - PacificFreePress.com (publishing opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties February 28 - The Uniter (University of Winnipeg newspaper) re: excessive secrecy in the federal Conservative government February 25 - Kitchener-Waterloo Record (publishing opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties -- To see the op-ed on the Record's website, click here February 25 - Hill Times (publishing opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties February 25 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Federal Ethics Commissioner’s Decision Allowing Prime Minister Harper and His Cabinet To Set Terms of Reference of Inquiry and To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber (February 19, 2008) -- To see the Hill Times article, click here February 19 - Straightgoods.com (publishing opinion article by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Donations of money, property and services continue to corrupt Canadian politics because of loopholes in laws and lack of effective enforcement and penalties -- To see article on the Straightgoods.com website, click here February 22 - Calgary Herald re: Calgary has most undemocratic mayor and city council secret money can buy because of complete lack of donation and spending limits February 21 - Halifax Chronicle Herald re: Federal Conservatives continue patronage by appointing former Conservative candidate to CRTC, and continue to fail to establish promised independent appointments commission aimed at ending patronage February 19 - TheStraight.com (Georgia Straight, Vancouver weekly newspaper) re: Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Democracy Watch Files Court Challenge of Federal Ethics Commissioner’s Decision Allowing Prime Minister Harper and His Cabinet To Set Terms of Reference of Inquiry and To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber (February 19, 2008) -- To see the Straight's blog article, click here February 18 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives delay appointment of Parliamentary Budget Officer for 15 months to avoid accountability for dishonest federal budget statements February 16 - New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal re: New Brunswick's provincial government ignores 75 percent of Auditor General's recommendations, and will continue to do so until the AG is given the power to order government institutions to folow spending rules, and to penalize people who break the rules February 15 - New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal re: New Brunswick's provincial government ignores 75 percent of Auditor General's recommendations, and will continue to do so until the AG is given the power to order government institutions to folow spending rules, and to penalize people who break the rules February 15 - Pacific FreePress.com website re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Liberals’ Fundraising Auction of Cash for Access to MPs Violates Canada Elections Act and MPs’ Ethics Rules -- Party and MPs Must Be Penalized February 11 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives break promises to end secret, unethical lobbying February-March issue - Dialogue magazine re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Ethics Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule (January 9, 2008) February 6 - Epoch Times (national free weekly newspaper) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada 8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy, Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada -- To see the Epoch Times article, click here February 6 - The Cord (University of Waterloo weekly newspaper) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada 8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy, Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada -- To see The Cord article, click here February 5 - Toronto Star re: Federal Conservatives' broken promises, especially in area of government accountability, are ever-increasing February 4 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada 8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy, Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada January 31 - Canoe.ca website (publishing SunMedia wire
article) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada
8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of
Government Accountability and Integrity
-- Gifts and Donations Loopholes, Secrecy,
Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada
-- To see the Canoe.ca article, click
here January 31 - Canada.com website (publishing CanWest News
Service wire article) re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada
8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of
Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and
Donations Loopholes, Secrecy,
Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada
-- To see the Canada.com article, click
here January 31 - Halifax Daily News (column by Stephen Kimber) 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 Kimber's column, click here January 31 - Toronto Star re: Questions raised about Prime Minister staffperson's intervention in legal matter between Public Works department and Montrealer January 30 - CBC.ca website re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Global Integrity Report Ranks Canada
8th Out Of 55 Countries in World’s Most Comprehensive Assessment of
Government Accountability and Integrity -- Gifts and
Donations Loopholes, Secrecy,
Lack of Merit-Based Appointments Process Main Weaknesses in Canada
-- To see the CBC.ca article, click
here January 30 - The Gateway (University of Alberta
newspaper) publishing Canadian University Press (CUP) wire article re: Millenium
Scholarship Foundation hires lobbyists to help appeal for renewal of
federal government funding January 25 - PacificFreePress.com website 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 January 24 - CanadaFreePress.com website 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 January 23 - The Suburban (Quebec's largest English weekly newspaper) re: Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition (CCRC - which is coordinated by Democracy Watch) NEWS RELEASE: Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Must, At The Very Least, Require Banks To Prove Their Credit Card Interest Rates and Service Charges are Fair -- Mergers Not in Public Interest -- Competition, Service Study Needed If Merger Ban Reconsidered -- To see the Suburban article, click here January 22 - Canada.com website (publishing CanWest News
Service article) re: Lobbyists
still moving in and out of federal government and political parties,
and still lobbying in secret, because federal Conservatives broke their
election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying January 19 - PacificFreePress.com re: Ethics Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule (January 9, 2008) -- To see the PacificFreePress.com article, click here January 18 - Calgary Herald re: (op-ed 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 January 16 - 24hrs.ca re: Vancouver, like many Canadian cities, has the best city council secret money can buy because of lack of donation and spending limits and effective disclosure requirements January 16 - Winnipeg Free Press (column by Frances Russell) re: Ethics Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule (January 9, 2008) -- To see the column, click here January 14 - Hill Times re: (op-ed 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 January 14 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservatives break promises to end secret, unethical lobbying January 14 - Hill Times re: Ethics Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule (January 9, 2008) -- To see Hill Times article, click here January 14 - Hill Times re: Federal Conservative Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn practises worst form of politics by being rabidly partisan and dishonest about nuclear safety issue January 14 - Hill Times re: NEWS RELEASE: Group Files Court Challenge of Federal Registrar of Lobbyists' Ruling That Lobbyists Can Fundraise for Ministers They Lobby (January 25, 2007) - NOTE: The case will be heard by the Federal Court of Canada in Toronto on January 28, 2008 January 14 - HarperIndex.ca re: Federal Conservatives break promises to end secret, unethical lobbying January 14 - HarperIndex.ca re: Ken Boessenkool, former advisor to Stephen Harper, becomes a lobbyist for Taser International January 12 - Northern News Services re: Northwest Territories politician pushes for regulation of lobbyists, especially lobbying by former politicians and government officials January 11 - Telegraph Journal (Saint John , New Brunswick -- column by John Chilibeck) re: New Brunswick law does not limit donations or require disclosure of donations to municipal election candidates January 10 - CanadaEast.com website (publishing Canadian Press
(CP) wire article) re: Ethics
Commissioner Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime
Minister and His Cabinet To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney
and
Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks
Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge Commissioner’s Decision and Calls on
Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of Interest” Rule
(January 9, 2008) -- To see the CP article, click
here January 10 - NOW magazine (publishing quotation from Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Federal Conservatives break their election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying of the federal government, and are dishonest about their actions January 9 - Canada.com website (publishing CanWest News
Service
article) re: Ethics
Commissioner
Ignores Law and Conflicts of Interest, Allows Prime Minister and His
Cabinet
To Choose Who Will Judge Themselves, Mulroney and Schreiber -- Democracy Watch Seeks Pro Bono Lawyer to Help Challenge
Commissioner’s
Decision and Calls on Parliamentarians to Restore “Apparent Conflict of
Interest”
Rule (January 9, 2008) -- To see the article, click
here January 8 - CanadaEast.com (publishing Canadian Press (CP)
wire
article) re: Canadian
government
should not cooperate with other countries if they do not respect human
rights
of their citizens, or Canadians travelling in the country January 7 - Hill Times (publishing opinion piece by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher) re: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability January 7 - Hill Times re: Democracy Watch NEWS RELEASE: Federal Conservatives' So-Called "Federal Accountability Act" and Related Decisions Earn a "D" Grade For Only Partially Increasing Accountability January 7 - BuzzFlash.com re: January 5, 2008 article in Globe and Mail re: Federal Conservatives break election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying, and are dishonest about their actions -- To see BuzzFlash.com webage, click here January 6 - Metaball.ca re: the public relations/government relations industry -- To see the article, click here January 6 - Metaball.ca re: the public relations/government relations industry -- To see the article, click here January 5 - Canada.com website (publishing CanWest News
Service
wire article) re: Federal
Conservatives break election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying,
and are dishonest about their actions January 5 - Globe and Mail re: Federal Conservatives break election promise to end secret, unethical lobbying, and are dishonest about their actions January 4 - Canoe.ca website and 12 other media outlets
(publishing Canadian Press (CP) wire article) re: Federal
Conservatives break their election promise to end secret, unethical
lobbying of the federal government, and are dishonest about their
actions January 3 - Toronto Star re: More than one year after Federal Accountability Act became law, federal Conservatives fail to implement appointments and lobbying law accountability changes, and are dishonest about their failures January 1 - Rabble.ca re: highlighting Democracy Watch's NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Government Up For Sale to Wealthy Because Liberals Broke Promise to Democratize Donations (October 3, 2007) as one of Rabble.ca's stories of the year
top II. 2008 Public Appearances in reverse chronological order GOVERNMENT HEARINGS 2008
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