Business and Government in Canada

Notes

NOTES Introduction A useful review of this book by Professor Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard University is available online at www.firstthings.com/ ftissues/ft9312/ reviews/ glendon.html. The Scandinavian countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark) and Iceland are recognized for their transparent governance systems and corresponding lack of corruption. See, for instance, annual surveys completed by Transparency International (www. transparency.org). Indeed, upon assuming the presidency of the European Union in 2006, Finland made greater institutional openness at the EUlevel a key pledge for its tenure. There is no uniform definition of this other sector, which is nonetheless meant to encompass the many forms of formal organizations and informal movements that are neither private sector corporations nor public sector bodies. There are growing numbers of entities and initiatives that reflect hybrids of these various sectors and their governance orientations. All ofthe issues mentioned in this paragraph are revisited in greater detail in chapter 4. Chapter 1: Corporate Governance See Neil Reynolds' column in the Globe and Mail of August 16, 2006, "The Untold Story of How Government Got Big," in which Reynolds summarizes the evidence arguing that the expansionof large entitlement programs in this period has solidified spending levels, rendering cutbacks extremely difficult to achieve. Various online resources by this author are freely available in text, audio, and video formats atwww.jimcollins.com. 175 i 2 3 4 1 2 Business and Government in Canada 3 www.ceocouncil.ca/publications/pdf/5b41c9313b5620ac54ba89d7 c729fbde/ speeches_2002_ll_06.pdf,5. 4 www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12762573/. 5 www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.asp?Language=en&Content= ContentDef initionFiles\Newsroom\Backgrounders\ corporate governance.xml. 6 www.calgaryairport.com/ document.cfm?did=1326. 7 In 2003, more than 40 percent of all returns were filed online, and CRA is a key partner in federal horizontal processes aimed at both service integration and domestic security by virtue ofits information holdings on individuals and organizations. Chapter 2: Lobbying 1 For the Gomery inquiry into the sponsorship scandal, see www. gomery.ca. For the Bellamy inquiry into the Toronto computerleasing scandal, seewww.torontoinquiry.ca. 2 See, for example, National Post columnist Andrew Coyne's musings in his blog, accompanied by readers' reactions: andrewcoyne. com/2006/06/canadian~autoworkers-overpriced-sole.php. 3 Source: www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/media/nr-cp/2006/1212_e.asp#bgl. 4 A March 2003 issue of the IRPP publication Policy Options (www. irpp.org) explored the banking merger issue from a variety of viewpoints, including those of industry representatives. Although not aimed at the average voter, such an intervention targets the policy community responsible for managing such issues within the federal apparatus as well as those stakeholders likely to seek influence as well (e.g., community groups, small-business forums, other financial services organizations, etc.). 5 Abramoff was convicted in 2006 following a plea bargain with federal prosecution officials (pleading guilty to federal conspiracy and wire fraud charges) that exposed his dealings with numerous elected officials, including some close to the leadership of the Republican Party in Congress. Abramoffs case is closely linked to that of Tom Delay, former leader of the Republicansin the Houseof Representatives, who ultimately resigned his Texas seat in the face of mounting legal and political difficulties. 6 Seewww.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/ ll/AR2007011102081.html. 7 For instance, the Government of Ontario has appointed a citizens' panel to recommend new rules for real-time online reporting of all donations made to political parties. 8 www.transparency.org. 176 Notes 9 www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/ 20/AR2006062001366.html. Chapter 3: Procurement and Partnerships 1 For a useful discussion of Canada's infrastructure gap and the issues and challenges surrounding the usage of public-private partnerships to close the gap, see a June 2006 report produced by TD Canada Trust (www.td.com/economics). 2 Source: www.pppcouncil.ca/aboutPPP_definition.asp 3 strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inpupr-bdpr.nsf/en/ h_qz01586e. html. 4 For additional details of this and other projects, see www. partnershipsbc.ca. 5 www.pir.gov.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/cma_4_35659_l.html. 6 Citing concerns about the ongoing outsourcing initiative between the BCMinistry of Health and Maximusfor the management of the Health Insurance British Columbia Program, critics have referred to this report. (An article examining the relationship from various vantage points appeared in the April 2006 issue of CIO Government Review.) 7 Examplesincludethe MunicipalityofKingston,Ontario, and...