Honesty and Corruption in the Canadian Federal Government: Regulating Ethics

Abstract

This chapter examines the range of federal governmental misconduct and efforts that have been taken to curtail such behaviour through legal and institutional means. It surveys the legal requirements, such as, Criminal Code, Parliament Act, Canadian Elections Act, Lobbyist Registration Act, judicial hearings, conflict of interest rules, codes of conduct and institutions set up to monitor and control ministerial actions. The chapter analyses the role and effectiveness of the office of the Ethics Counsellor and the prime minister's Ethics Advisor in this respect. Canada has had some difficulties motivating ministers, members of the nigh executive and politicians generally to adhere to standards of honesty and ethical behaviour. Crises and scandals have therefore often been catalysts to reforms in political systems because they have highlighted weaknesses in laws and rules. Scandals lead the media to a frenzy of recriminations and public criticism of individuals in the search for scapegoats.