It's That Accountability Thing...

As if anybody aware of their surroundings believes that there was even a grain of truth in Stephen Harper's pronouncements about government accountability in the last election, he keeps taking steps to prove that he lied - and continues to lie to the public about anything to do with the workings of government.

In a major case over the scope of the law, Mr. Harper's government is defending former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien's refusal to hand over portions of his agendas that were requested by the Canadian Alliance, a predecessor party of the governing Conservatives.

Oh really? So, Harper's party asked for information and it was refused, and now they are continuing to refuse to provide it?

In his report into the sponsorship scandal, judge John Gomery recommended that the law be clarified so it is clear that it applies to ministers' offices. Mr. Harper's Conservatives promised to do just that in their 2006 election platform, but have not.

In short, Harper lied in the 2006 election. Period.

Now, consider that under Harper, not only has the government's workings become more opaque, but there has been an even greater consolidation of control and decision making in the PMO, and he keeps putting forth legislation (e.g. Bill C-10) that gives arbitrary powers of discretion to ministers (carefully leashed by the PMO in Harper's world, of course).

PMSH - Lowering The Standard of Government Accountability.