I would love to continue, thank you.
the values we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, hard work, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. We will be a government that governs for all Canadians, and I expect you, in your work, to bring Canadians together.
You are expected to do your part to fulfill our government’s commitment to transparent, merit-based appointments, to help ensure gender parity and that Indigenous Peoples and minority groups are better reflected in positions of leadership.
There's that key word again, “transparent”.
Interestingly enough, indigenous peoples are better reflected in positions of leadership, but the only indigenous minister was just strong-armed and then removed. He goes on to say:
As Minister of Status of Women, your overarching goal will be to ensure government policy, legislation, and regulations are sensitive to the different impacts that decisions can have on men and women.... I will expect you to work with your colleagues and through established legislative, regulatory, and Cabinet processes to deliver on your top priorities.
I would draw attention to some key words within this mandate letter: a “transparent” government, “a new tone” being brought to Ottawa, delivering “real results”, a government that functions with “honesty”, inviting the accountability and input from opposition members. All these things seem positive; they're good. The Prime Minister was right to request these things of his minister. Where he is wrong, however, is in his hypocritical actions by which he himself does not abide by the words of this letter, nor does he permit the members of his caucus to do so.
My request today, then, is that the Liberals would live up to the words of the Prime Minister, as he goes on to say:
We have committed to an open, honest government that is accountable to Canadians, lives up to the highest ethical standards, and applies the utmost care and prudence in the handling of public funds. I expect you to embody these values in your work and observe the highest ethical standards in everything you do. When dealing with our Cabinet colleagues, Parliament, stakeholders, or the public, it is important that your behaviour and decisions meet Canadians’ well-founded expectations of our government. I want Canadians to look on their own government with pride and trust.
Public opinion might say otherwise on that.
This is a good one:
As Minister, you must ensure that you are aware of and fully compliant with the Conflict of Interest Act and Treasury Board policies and guidelines. You will be provided with a copy of Open and Accountable Government to assist you as you undertake your responsibilities.
He should have read his own mandate letter. He goes on:
[Y]ou must uphold the highest standards of honesty and impartiality, and both the performance of your official duties and the arrangement of your private affairs should bear the closest public scrutiny. This is an obligation that is not fully discharged by simply acting within the law.