Democracy Watch

01.06.2005 Canada's new political donations system bans donations to parties by corporations, unions and other organizations, and limits individuals to donating a combined annual total of $5,000 to each party and all of the parties' candidates and riding associations. However, the system has many serious loopholes that allow wealthy interests to use money as a means of undemocratic, unethical influence over the federal government and federal political parties.

15.04.2005 "If government is to play a positive role in society, as it must, honesty and integrity in our political institutions must be restored." (From the Liberal Party's 1993 election platform.) The Jean Chrétien Liberals were correct when they pointed out that lack of honesty and integrity undermines everything a government tries to do to solve societal problems. The deep irony is that Chrétien did little until very late to ensure that his government operated with integrity.

16.03.2005 In response to the collapse of Jetsgo Airlines, Democracy Watch has called for the creation of an Air Passengers Organization (APO) to balance the marketplace by giving airline passengers a strong voice in airline complaint and government policy-making processes.