Canadian Press is reporting today the federal Conservative are planning to offer Canadians several changes to federal policy as a way of demonstrating that they will take action to combat what they see as corruption in government.
Nice idea.
Here is one of the ideas, along with some comment:
- A fixed election date so the government can't manipulate public opinion by increasing spending before it decides on an election date.
Comment: Fixed election dates don't affect the possibility a government will ramp up the warm and fuzzy spending to win votes. A fixed election merely gives you fixed election dates. If it is like the recent changes in Newfoundland and Labrador, it doesn't even offer you that. The very first clause of the bill supposedly bringing in fixed dates for elections reserved the right of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to call an election at any time for any purpose.
The other Connie changes, like letting the Auditor General look into federal foundations, are good ideas but they are really just housekeeping.
Let's see if something more substantive comes out of the Harper campaign once it finally gets around to talking about something other than Gomery.