LAPDOGS VERSUS WATCHDOGS

Steve Kannon of the Woolwich Observer has done it again with his Editorial titled 'Harper wants lapdogs, not watchdogs despite claims of transparency". Kevin Page left his post last week as Palimentary Budget Officer (PBO) much to the relief of a number of governing Conservatives. Mr. Page's term of office had expired and to date there has been no permanent replacement for this appointed position. Appointed I might add by the Prime Minister, no less.

Democracy Watch, a private government watchdog have decided to take the government to court over their failure to appoint a new permanent PBO. The interim appointment of the Parliamentary Librarian as the interim PBO they view as clearly illegal. The former PBO, Mr Page "...routinely took the Conservatives to task for inadequate, incomplete and outright incorrect budget numbers, exposing the government as incompetents ... and worse.".

Furthermore Democracy Watch have a list of reccommendations to further strengthen the office of the PBO. They believe that Canadians strongly would like independent watchdogs rather than government toadies. They also believe that governments need to be pushed into doing the right things especially if they view them as contrary to their short term interests.