Roundup: The Ombudsman demands independence

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The military ombudsman put out a position paper yesterday that called for his office to be made fully independent, and he criticized the minister’s office and the Department of National Defence for trying to interfere in investigations and ignoring recommendations for change. In particular, he cited that turning a blind eye to his office’s recommendations advances political interest or has to do with self-preservation or career advancements within the defence community.

Readers may know that I have issues with the demands for yet more officers of parliament. The proliferation of these officers has become acute in the last decade, and while there is a need for an independent ombudsman for the military, I also have not been blind to some of the previous holders of that office, and some were very much unsuited for an office that has no accountability. I’m not sure what kind of a structure the ombudsman’s office should need to be, but again, making him unaccountable and completely insulated opens the role up to the kinds of abuses of authority we’re seeing with the last officer of parliament that was created (being the Parliamentary Budget Officer, who has become completely unmoored from his legislative mandate). Anyone who doesn’t share this concern obviously isn’t paying attention (and I can guarantee you that the media is not paying attention, because they like it when these unaccountable officers try to turn themselves into media darlings, as the PBO is doing right now).

When asked about this, Justin Trudeau said that he would put it to Justice Louise Arbour as part of her comprehensive review, so that the ombudsman’s office can be part of the solution to reforming the military, but I fear that she may recommend the officer of parliament route. Part of the problem right now is that the minister isn’t responsive, but I think the solution needs to be that the minister needs to go rather than the ombudsman needing additional powers. Would that we actually hold ministers accountable for their failures, but this government doesn’t seem to be too keen on that.

Good reads:

  • Justin Trudeau called out how toxic the current parliament has become, and said that he won’t rush re-opening the border, but it’s likely weeks not months away.
  • When China questioned Canada human rights record, Trudeau asked where their truth and reconciliation commission is when it comes to the Uyghurs.
  • Dr. Theresa Tam says that a risk assessment tool for fully-vaccinated Canadians is on the way soon.
  • The government plans to introduce a new hate speech bill today, which may restore Section 13 of the Human Rights Act, which was seen as a threat to free speech.
  • Bill C-6, which largely bans “conversion therapy” in Canada, has finally passed the Commons with most Conservatives voting against it (while equivocating about it).
  • Bill C-10, on reforming the Broadcasting Act, passed the Commons and is now in the Senate (where it will no doubt see much debate).
  • The bill on single-game sports betting has cleared the Senate and is about to get royal assent.
  • The CRA says that they sent 44 files of ultra-wealthy Canadians to investigators, only two of which were sent to prosecutors, and no charges were filed.
  • The Leaders’ Debates commission has set the benchmark for participation in the next elections’ leaders debates at four percent of national support.
  • The new vaccine production facility on Montreal has completed construction, but will take months to set up equipment in advance of production.
  • A new report details the kinds of conditions that exist in the facilities where China is detaining the two Michaels, and they include the use of torture.
  • Supreme Court of Canada nominee, Justice Mahmud Jamal, appeared before an ad hoc joint committee to answer questions in advance of his nomination.
  • Former prime minister Kim Campbell, who heads the selection committee for Supreme Court justices, says bilingualism is hindering Indigenous candidates.
  • Three new Senate appointments were announced, and one of them is the past president of the Canadian Labour Congress, Hassan Yussuff.
  • The Senate’s human rights committee has completed a study on the abuses in the Canadian correctional system.
  • Kady O’Malley’s Process Nerd column lays out the next steps in the ongoing drama around the Winnipeg Lab documents now that there was a call to the bar.
  • Wesley Wark is very concerned by the politicisation of NSICOP.
  • Colby Cosh trashes David Frum’s attempt to rehabilitate Sir John A Macdonald.
  • Susan Delacourt surveys the toxic landscape of the 43rd parliament, and bids it good riddance if we are indeed headed for an election.
  • My column notes how unproductive and toxic this session of Parliament has been, and why all sides are to blame for this state of affairs.

Odds and ends:

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