On Monday, C.D. Howe Institute members will be attending a private policy roundtable with Treasury Board president John Baird to discuss the Federal Accountability Act. Nothing particular abnormal about that. But, as our astute readers will already know, that act is meant to - among other things - tighten up the rules around lobbying. So does anyone find it somewhat odd this roundtable (which is being held at the swish Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel) is be co-hosted a government relations firm - specifically Hill and Knowlton Inc.? That's the same group whose Canadian offices are presided over by Michael Coates, the "volunteer (Tory) advisor who negotiated the format of the televised leaders debates and helped prepare (Stephen) Harper for debates" - this according to The Ottawa Citizen's Glen McGregor. The following is a complete copy of the invite to that event.

(Logos: C.D. Howe Institute, Hill & Knowlton Inc.)

C.D. Howe Institute
Policy Roundtable Luncheon in Ottawa
The Honourable John Baird, President of the Treasury Board
The Accountability Act

I am pleased to invite you, or a senior representative of your firm, to attend a C.D. Howe Institute Policy
Roundtable luncheon on Monday, May 29, 2006, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Quebec Suite (1st
floor) of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa. Our guest speaker will be the Honourable John Baird, President of the Treasury Board and MP for Ottawa-West Nepean.

Having presented a short list of priorities in the recent election campaign, the new federal government promptly introduced C-2, “An Act providing for conflict of interest rules, restrictions on election financing and measures respecting administrative transparency, oversight and accountability,” a sweeping bill designed to make government more transparent and to crack down on unethical actions. Among other things, the proposed bill contains measures that would prevent ministers and their political aides, as well as senior public servants, from becoming lobbyists for at least five years after they leave their position; give more powers to independent officers of Parliament, including the Auditor-General and Ethics Commissioner; protection for whistleblowers; a complete ban on corporate and union donations as well as an annual cap of $1,000 on individuals’ donations to federal political parties. As President of the Treasury Board, Minister Baird is responsible for presenting the Act and overseeing its implementation.

I would like to remind Institute members that Policy Roundtables offer an unequaled opportunity to meet decision makers and discuss vital policy issues in an off-the-record forum.

I very much hope you will be able to join us.

Jack M. Mintz
President and Chief Executive Officer
C.D. Howe Institute
Registration Form