Federal Accountability Act introduced

Canada's New Government today introduced the proposed Federal Accountability Act to restore Canadians' trust in government.

"With the Federal Accountability Act, we are creating a new culture of accountability that will change forever the way business is done in Ottawa," Prime Minister Harper said.

The Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan would:

• reduce the opportunity to exert influence with money by banning corporate, union, and large personal political donations;
  
• give Canadians confidence that lobbying is done ethically with a five-year lobbying ban on former ministers, their aides, and senior public servants;
  
• ensure people who see problems in government know they can speak up by providing iron-clad protection for whistleblowers; and
  
• ensure Canadians know how their money is spent by enhancing the power for the Auditor General to follow the money.
  

"These measures will strengthen and streamline government so it can function more efficiently," Prime Minister Harper said. "We are following through on our commitment to deliver good, clean government to Canadians."

Canada's New Government is committed to work with all parties in the House of Commons to ensure this legislation is passed as quickly as possible.

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Also visit: www.accountability.gc.ca