‘Control-mania’: N.S. premier accused of executive overreach with new bill
The Nova Scotia government has recently come under fire for what many are calling a significant step backward in terms of accountability and transparency. This criticism comes following the introduction of a controversial omnibus bill that has raised concerns among political observers and access to information experts.
One of the most contentious aspects of the bill is the provision that would allow Premier Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservatives to dismiss the province’s auditor general without cause. This move has been widely criticized as an attempt to undermine the independence of a key officer of the legislature. David Johnson, a political science professor at Cape Breton University, has described this as an example of “enormous and unwarranted executive overreach.” He expressed concern that the premier’s desire to control the message is leading to a dangerous level of control over independent officers.
Premier Houston has defended the bill by pointing out that other provinces, such as Manitoba and Alberta, have similar legislation in place. However, critics argue that the requirement for two-thirds of the legislature to approve such a firing does not provide sufficient safeguards against potential abuse of power. With the Tories holding a significant majority in the legislature, there are fears that this could lead to the auditor general’s office being politicized and compromised.
The proposed changes to the freedom of information law have also raised alarm bells. The bill would give public bodies the power to dismiss information requests deemed frivolous, excessively broad, or interfering with operations. This move has been likened to a trend seen in other jurisdictions where access to information is being increasingly restricted. Sharon Polsky, president of the Privacy and Access Council of Canada, has criticized this as giving public bodies too much power to withhold information from the public.
The Centre for Law and Democracy has also expressed disappointment with the bill, stating that it gives the government greater control over information and limits the release of key reports by the auditor general. Executive director Toby Mendel has warned that the provisions of the bill could be abused by officials and obstruct access to important information.
Overall, there is a growing concern that the Nova Scotia government is eroding democratic principles by concentrating power in the premier’s office, limiting debate in the legislature, and restricting access to information. This move has been described as part of a broader trend towards reducing public scrutiny and stifling criticism, which undermines the foundations of a healthy democracy. It is essential for the government to reconsider these controversial measures and uphold the principles of transparency and accountability that are essential for a functioning democracy.
