A New Era of Accountability?

In a striking announcement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has laid out his vision for a government focused on accountability and transparency, vowing to tighten ethics regulations for elected officials if given the chance to govern.

Ending Shadow Lobbying

At the heart of Poilievre's proposed reforms is the requirement for anyone providing financial advice to the government to register as a lobbyist, a move aimed at eliminating what he refers to as "shadow lobbying." He has also committed to raising fines for ethics violations to a steep $10,000.

Introducing the Accountability Act 2.0

Under the banner of an "Accountability Act 2.0," Poilievre promises to close loopholes that he argues the current government exploits to evade responsibility. This legislation builds on the Federal Accountability Act established during Stephen Harper’s tenure.

A Transparent Cabinet

Poilievre’s reforms would mandate cabinet ministers to fully divest from tax havens and disclose their assets to the Ethics Commissioner. He criticizes the existing practice of "blind trusts," claiming they only hide information from the public.

Stricter Interests Test for Politicians

Identifying a flaw in current ethics laws, Poilievre stated that politicians should not be allowed to make decisions that benefit themselves more than the public interest. His plan would enforce stricter regulations that require any such personal interests to be publicly declared and approved by the Ethics Commissioner.

Full Disclosure for Candidates

Additionally, all candidates for public office would need to disclose their tax payment history for the last seven years and party leaders must report their assets within 30 days of ascension to leadership. The same disclosure timeline applies to new prime ministers.

Targeting Mark Carney's Record

The timing of Poilievre’s announcement seems pointed, as he highlighted the scrutiny surrounding Liberal Leader Mark Carney, urging for greater transparency regarding his financial holdings and possible conflicts of interest. While Carney claims compliance with ethics regulations, the pressure is rising for him to disclose more.

Tackling Foreign Interference

In addition to ethics reforms, Poilievre emphasized his commitment to combatting foreign interference, suggesting a foreign-agents registry as a measure to protect the democratic process.

What's Next?

With these ambitious proposals, Poilievre positions himself as a champion of integrity in government. Whether he's able to implement these changes hinges on the outcome of the next election—but one thing is clear: he intends to make accountability a cornerstone of his administration.