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Set out below is a letter to the editor by Democracy Watch Coordinator Duff Conacher which was published July 14, 2009 on Canada.com and in that day's issues of the National Post, Montreal Gazette and Windsor Star. Dear Editor, I agree with Prime Minister Harper when he states that when G8 leaders break promises their "credibility" is "undercut" and "that is a serious problem" ("Harper takes aim at G8 countries' broken promises" - July 10). The Prime Minister should know, given that he broke half of his 2006 election promises (especially in the area of government accountability), and as a result a national poll last fall showed that only 29% of Canadians feel the federal government is open and honest. In fact, the Conservatives' so-called "Federal Accountability Act" actually cut the one rule that required Cabinet ministers and senior government officials to be honest. As Prime Minister Harper notes, talk is cheap, so if he is serious about leading (as opposed to misleading) on political dishonesty, he must put the honesty rule back in the federal ethics law, and add a similar rule to Canada's election law. If Mr. Harper fails to make dishonesty in politics illegal, no voter should believe that he actual wants accountability for broken promises and misleading statements in between elections. Canadians deserve better. Sincerely, Duff Conacher, Coordinator Democracy Watch To
see Democracy
Watch's December 2008 Report Card on the Conservatives' 29 broken
promises, click here
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