Reality Check: Harper fails his own test for being more ethical than Liberals

Measured by his own words, Stephen Harper isn’t doing any better than Liberal governments at bringing improved ethics and accountability to government.

Four years ago this week, in a landmark speech on the scathing inquiry into the Liberals’ sponsorship scandal, Harper promised change:

“Creating a different way of doing government must begin by electing a different government. The time has passed for weak reforms, promises, excuses, crocodile tears. It’s time to change governments.”

– “Accountability” Speech, 4 November 2005

He promised change, but Harper has delivered the same:

Promised change: “[We] will make sure that appointments to public office are fair and based on merit.”

But delivered the same: “The Harper government has never revived the [Public Appointments] commission … but has continued to pay as many as four public servants to support the non-existent body. In the meantime, the government has made an estimated 1,000 appointments.”
– Moncton Times and Transcript, 2 May 2009

Promised change: “Politics will no longer be a stepping stone to a lucrative career lobbying government.”

But delivered the same: “a Journal de Montreal study … found that 30 Conservatives turned lobbyist had racked up 327 contracts to lobby the federal government since Harper took office in February.”
– Canwest News, 19 September 2006

Promised change: “[We] will open the windows on government with long overdue reforms to access to information laws.”

But delivered the same: “The federal Justice Minister has slammed the door on any reform of the crippled Access to Information Act for the foreseeable future”
– Canadian Taxpayers Federation news release, 30 October 2009

Promised change: “Most Canadians don’t think political office should be a guaranteed, permanent career.”

But delivered the same: “The governing Conservative Party has moved to shield its 143 sitting MPs from grassroots challenges to their right to run for the Tories next election. This means incumbents will be automatically nominated as candidates and spared riding-level battles.”
– Globe and Mail, 5 May 2009

Stephen Harper promised change until he became Prime Minister. Now he’s doing things no differently than the Liberals. That’s why, once again, it’s time to change governments.