(Ottawa) Experts call for a review of democratic control processes in Canada.
The pr Alex Marland, a political scientist at Memorial University in St. John’s, wants it because of the increased powers of cabinet ministers. Often, he argues, they don’t even inform ministers of all their activities.
“The system was not designed for people who are unelected, simply appointed, deeply rooted in government activities and well involved to exercise authority in the cabinets”, says this expert in political communication.
He observes that the public service has grown considerably and that society has changed a great deal over the years.
“We should be better able to exercise greater control over ministerial recommendations so that the public service and the government system are as efficient as possible”, launches the Pr Marland.
Cabinet ministers often use social media to amplify government messages. They have become public figures who play a role in the political arena.
“They define the orientations of the government, at least that is the impression that one can have. And in political life, perception is often reality, “said the Pr Marland. If political personnel have such power, it is only natural that their activities will be controlled in one way or another. Ministers are not always in the best position to do so.
It has become more common to see members of ministerial cabinets come and testify before the standing committees of the House of Commons, contrary to the customs of the British parliamentary system. Katie Telford, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s chief of staff, has appeared before, as did her predecessors from when Conservatives Stephen Harper and Brian Mulroney led government.
Just like M.me Telford, members of a cabinet minister can be invited to a government caucus meeting, a practice once inaccessible to non-elected officials.
“Today, we see them everywhere. They take notes, listen to what MPs say and challenge what the leader says, reports the Pr Marland.
“Political staff members were not present in the past. It’s the perfect example of things that have changed. »
Ministers keep their office, even if they act inappropriately, laments Lori Turnbull, director of the school of public administration at the University of Dalhousie, in Nova Scotia. It is also proof that the notion of ministerial responsibility has changed.
She gives the example of the Minister of International Trade Mary Ng who contravened the rules of ethics of the federal government by not recusing herself from the decision taken by her office to hire the public relations firm co-founded by a friend of hers. .
“It is now the trend. We’re like, ‘Let’s see if we can get away with it. Let it be and it will go away”, rather than sending the signal that a minister’s mistake leads to his dismissal from the council, says Mme Turnbull. If the prime minister wants this minister in this ministry, the minister keeps his job. »
Mme Turnbull wants a public inquiry into the integrity and state of Canadian democracy.
“The more the days pass, the more we will need to have a debate on how democracies should work. Foreign interference is only one element. »