Opposition members of parliament are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration to disclose the governing documents of three specialized agencies established to oversee significant funds for key projects, defense acquisitions, and the construction of affordable housing.
Don Davies, the interim leader of the New Democratic Party, stressed the importance of transparency in revealing the guidelines and regulations that will direct the operations of these new agencies, expressing concern over the lack of public disclosure.
Similarly, Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, the Bloc Québécois critic for supply and government operations, emphasized the need for transparency, criticizing the government’s secrecy surrounding the establishment and operations of the new agencies.
Andrew Scheer, the Conservative House leader, also condemned the government’s lack of transparency, highlighting the trend of increased costs and lack of accountability associated with such secretive practices.
The demand for transparency regarding the governance of the Major Projects Office, the Defence Investment Agency, and Build Canada Homes comes following reports that the government is withholding the framework agreements and business plans of these agencies.
While the government argues that specialized operating agencies offer agility and efficiency, concerns have been raised about the exemptions these agencies may have from standard rules, as outlined in their framework agreements.
Requests by CBC News to access the framework documents for the three agencies have been unsuccessful, with Public Services and Procurement Canada confirming the existence of the documents but maintaining their confidentiality.
Opposition leaders, including Don Davies, Elizabeth May, and Pierre Poilievre, have expressed reservations about the lack of transparency and accountability associated with these agencies, calling for increased scrutiny and oversight.
Critics, such as Duff Conacher from Democracy Watch, have raised legal concerns over the government’s decision to keep these documents secret, highlighting the potential risks of lack of transparency in government operations.
Overall, the opposition and advocacy groups are urging the government to prioritize transparency and accountability in the operations of these specialized agencies to ensure proper governance and prevent misuse of public funds.