Statement by New Democrat leader Jack Layton on the crisis at Rights and Democracy

Parliament must conduct an inquiry into the behaviour of the Harper government’s appointees to the board of Rights and Democracy. The organization is accountable to Parliament, and the conduct of its board members is governed by an act of Parliament.

The conduct of the Harper appointees on the board has resulted into the resignation of two distinguished directors. The chairman of the board and the interim president have fired three of the organization’s managers, imposed a gag order on the staff and subjected them to investigation. Along with this belligerent conduct, the slew of unspecified contracts they have awarded to private investigators, auditors and legal and communications firms raise serious concerns about financial accountability.

Rather than holding its appointees to account, the Harper government engaged a controversial new president despite the objections of the leaders of the opposition parties. The government’s involvement in this crisis has undermined Canada’s international reputation.

The Conservative members of the Foreign Affairs Committee have chosen to filibuster discussions of the issue, in an effort to avoid accountability and transparency. On March 18th they attempted to block a request by Suzanne Trépanier, who is the wife of former Rights and Democracy President Rémy M. Beauregard, to appear before the committee. Mr. Beauregard died on January 8, 2010. New Democrats support Mme Trépanier’s appearance at committee, and believe that her testimony will assist Parliamentarians in their efforts to hold the board and the government to account.

New Democrats will continue working through the committee to hold the government appointees to account.