News Release
For Immediate Release

(Ottawa, Thursday, 20 April, 2006) – "One big foot in the door for the Prime Minister's Office, one foot out in the cold for democracy," quipped the Green Party's Democracy and Good Government Advocate, Joe Foster. Foster was commenting on recent reports from the media indicating that Prime Minister Harper has unilaterally decided to appoint committee chairs, himself.

"Committees are one of the essential checks and balances of good government," said Foster, "they must retain the authority to elect their own chairperson."

"Standard practice has been for a committee to self-elect the chairperson," added Foster. "Denying committees this opportunity immediately impairs the independence and function of this body."

Since gaining office Prime Minister Harper has assigned a cabinet position to a person who didn't even run for election (Michael Fortier) and another to a person who ran under the Liberal banner (David Emerson); he has attempted to control all interaction with the media; and now he is forcing appointments of committee chairs.

The Green Party of Canada believes that Prime Minister Harper's actions are a step away from participatory democracy and democratic renewal. Green MPs would move Parliament toward greater democracy and openness.

In their 2006 election platform, the Green Party of Canada promised to create a Government Accountability Act to ensure that all those who monitor government are selected at arm's length from those they monitor, and to guarantee transparency and openness for all government activities.

For more information:
Derek Pinto
Media Relations Officer

Authorized by the Chief Agent of the Green Party of Canada
Information: media@greenparty.ca