Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

You are free to continue issuing giant novelty cheques

by Aaron Wherry on Thursday, April 29, 2010 1:50pm - 33 Comments

The ethics commissioner concludes that the use of giant novelty cheques by unelected officials might diminish our democracy, but it isn’t against the rules.

Ms. Dawson concludes that using cheques featuring either the name of the MP or the Conservative Party logo “goes too far” and risks diminishing public confidence in the integrity of elected officials. Her report concludes that the cheques do not violate either the conflict of interest code for MPs or the Conflict of Interest Act for cabinet ministers, but are symptomatic of a larger politicization of government that must be addressed.

Tags: advertising, democracy, ethics commissioner, giant novelty cheques, mary dawson, Ottawa

More by Aaron Wherry

http://intensedebate.com/people/danby danby

It may be within the rules, but it still stinks.
Livebloggin Junkie

"..it should be a sense of ethics which guides her toward passing a judgement if certain rules (such as the conflict of interest code for MPs) was violated."

Your absolutely right, if rules were broken, in this case no rules were broken. Her role is to interpret the Code and the Act but in her examination she went further and suggested they change the rules, and the government said yes. What is the problem? If they don't change the Treasury Board rules, then it is problem. But I don't see the beef with Dawson? Unless you think she overstepped her mandate by advocating a policy change. I don't think you think that though :)
http://intensedebate.com/people/john_g2708 john g

Good question. I believe they could nominate her but her nomination is subject to the approval of Parliament. Feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.
http://intensedebate.com/people/john_g2708 john g

Well let's not get carried away. One post does not a balanced commenter make. If I think Wherry is showing unfair bias or grossly misrepresenting something I'll continue to call him on it. Though I must admit I've found much less reason lately to object to the content Aaron has been putting out.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Thwim Thwim

I'm arguing that the commissioner's sense of ethics should be used in the adjudication of the rules.
http://intensedebate.com/people/NorthernPoV NorthernPoV

puzzled??

Appointed by Harper, everything is going according to plan

from his twisted point of view, this was an excellent appointment
burlivespipe

Once she decides to do her job, the CONs will be done with her…
burlivespipe

Shock! Frogger feels CON appointee is beyond the hack-ism that her own government intended her to reach.
Although no doubt her hackery is no worse than her predecessor (in the former position – i can't remember his name) it is laughable to suggest she's impartial. Attempting to do her job, possibly.