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A ‘new era of accountability’

Editor: The Duffy/Wright Senate scandal is sadly just another example of the Conservative government saying one thing and doing another.

Editor:

The Duffy/Wright Senate scandal is sadly just another example of the Conservative government saying one thing and doing another.

The Harper government was first elected in 2006, largely on a platform of improving transparency and accountability in Ottawa. Since then, this government’s track record has been the exact opposite of what was promised.

Apparently, to the Conservative government, “transparency and accountability” means denying access by the media, fighting with Elections Canada (in/out scandal, robocalls, Dean Del Mastro), stonewalling the parliamentary budget officer and furiously spinning reports from the auditor general. Not to mention muzzling of scientists, proroguing Parliament and making a mockery of the access-to-information system.

When stories of backroom misdeeds finally do emerge, their answer is more stonewalling and denials until ultimately the RCMP and Department of Justice force their way in past the barricades.

This is not what Canadians expect and deserve of their government.

Jeff Ballingall, Surrey