1. Dimensions of Accountability Pol Sci 341 St Francis Xavier University

2. Dimensions of Accountability By Whom To Whom For What By What Means

3. By Whom Ultimately, every public official must be accountable, but with key distinctions between political/elected officials and bureaucrats/ appointed officials An important feature of private sector “governance” as well Everyone one in a position of trust has some form of legal accountability

4. To Whom Up, down and sideways: the notion of 360 degree accountability. Parliament is still the most important focus of accountability in the system of “responsible government” Hierarchical accountability is in tension with devolved responsibilities Administrative law (including due process) applies to most bureaucratic responsibilities

5. For What The proper spending of public funds The effective administration and application of public law The efficient and effective management of public programs Overall standards of ethical behaviour, professional values In general, for that for which one is responsible…

6. By what means Legal and bureaucratic accountability Detailed reporting by specific dates, for specific information, to specific named organizations Broader political and social accountability Keeping the policy community informed, explaining actions of policy and administration Openness when things go wrong Accountability versus “answerability”

7. Theories and styles of accountability Finer (1941) – “objective approach”  Strict, detailed rules  Hierarchy of reporting  Very limited discretion Friedrich (1940) – “subjective approach”  Rules can’t cover everything  Flexibility over rigidity  Rely more on organizational culture and values

8. Johnson’s “synthetic approach” Three types of accountability  1. Traditional political responsiveness  2. Legal responsiveness (administrative law)  3. Social responsiveness The three types co-exist, each has its strengths and weaknesses

9. The Accountability of Ministers To the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Caucus To Parliament – for their portfolio To Departments – as effective spokespersons To stakeholders – as an effective advocate To the electorate at large Once they leave office ….???

10. The Accountability of the Opposition MP Accountable to the electorate, to their Party Leader, to the Caucus They hold the Ministers and the overall Ministry (Government) accountable for just about everything Means of enforcing accountability:  Question Period  PAC and other parliamentary committees  Auditor-General’s Office

11. The Accountability of Deputy Ministers To the Minister/ Minister’s staff To the Prime Minister and the Clerk of the Privy Council To the Treasury Board, Public Services Commission, etc. Answerable To Parliament (Public Accounts Committee and other Standing Committees) But remember: the general principle of civil service anonymity

12. The Accountability of the Ordinary Public Servant To the Deputy Minister (indirectly through the DM) to the Minister, Parliament, electorate To their immediate supervisor To stakeholders / Clientele To professional norms and values To their conscience

13. Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Scandal (1) Sponsorship program ran from 1994-2002, cost $320 milllion Goal was to advertise and promote federal programs, mainly in Quebec Required the administration of procurement contracts with public relations and advertising firms Scandal arose after discovery of fraud, gross mismanagement Judge John Gomery appointed as Commission on Inquiry.

14. Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Scandal (2) Judge Gomery’s November 2005 findings:  Excessive political interference in program administration (by Minister, by PMO)  Insufficient managerial oversight (by Deputy Minister, by Chuck Guite)  Excessive secrecy, avoidance of compliance, fear of reprisal for “whistle blowing”  Gross overcharging on government contracts

15. Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Scandal (3) Gomery report findings (continued) :  Funds spent for unauthorized purposes  Kickbacks and illegal contributions to Liberal party  Conflict of interest by retired employees  A “culture of entitlement” among politically-connected persons Report ultimately led to fall of Liberal government, and to stringent new accountability measures.

16. Harper Government reforms Comprehensive legislative and policy changes, 2006 Trying to adopt a “new culture of accountability” Five key elements:  Party and election financing  More integrity/openness in procurement process  Stronger independent parliamentary oversight  Stronger Access to Informaiton  Whistleblowing protection