Watch
By Eric Dowd
Toronto – Ontario’s watchdogs are showing they can bark and bite when needed and even proving man’s (and woman’s) best friends.
Officials appointed by MPPs to raise alarms when they see what they consider flaws in government actions have taken on the governing Liberals on two major issues recently and provided input residents should not be without.
Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian has galvanized concerns, more than any politician, over well-intended Liberal legislation that would give those who have been adopted and their birth parents access to records through which they can identify and, if both desire, resume contact with each other.
The legislation originally would have enabled any who were located, but did not wish to be contacted because it might upset their lives, to register this on their files, and anyone who violated this to be fined.
Cavoukian, joined by many, suggested this still might not deter some from attempting contact and those wanting to maintain their privacy, which they were promised, should have an absolute veto over their records being released.
The resourceful commissioner aired her views before a legislature committee, sent releases to news media, wrote to newspapers, is quoted more than anyone on the subject and has been more effective for her cause than a couple of opposition party leaders combined.
The Liberals have offered a new safeguard any who do not want information about themselves disclosed should convince a review board it would cause them significant harm, but Cavoukian and others feel they should not have to do this and the government is musing over its next step.
The new Ombudsman, Andre Marin, has started with a bang by revealing parents of more than 100 severely disabled children have been forced to give up legal custody to obtain costly treatment for their special needs.
This problem had its origins in the late 1990s, when Progressive Conservative premier Mike Harris reduced funding and parents found the only way to get treatment was to place them in the custody of children’s aid societies.
The Ombudsman said the province has oppressed families who are devoted, desperate and often heroic and called for immediate remedy.
The Liberals promised quickly children will be treated without their parents having to give up custody and one reason is politicians find it more difficult to ignore a prestigious, non-partisan official.
Cavoukian has spoken out before. She called on Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty to emphasize throughout government it has a responsibility to disclose all information unless there is a clear and compelling reason not to do so, which must have jolted the Liberals, who are more intent on tightening lips.
Cavoukian earlier irritated Harris by complaining his government took too long to answer requests for information and raised fees so it deterred them.
She also rebuked Harris for giving information on depositors in the provincial savings office to a pollster, as part of a plan to privatize it, and said this was a misuse of information.
These watchdogs are nominally independent and answer to the legislature, but this usually means the government of the day, if it has a majority, and others have not survived as well.
Harris dumped Eva Ligeti, the province’s first environmental commissioner, who was appointed by a New Democrat government, after she complained he cut environmental staff and protection and increased dangers to health.
Harris also let go Ombudsman Roberta Jamieson, who had held the job under both Liberals and New Democrats and complained his was the worst for cutting staff and weakening services.
When Cavoukian criticized Harris, information also was leaked to news media she had a romantic relationship with the head of a company manufacturing technology used in protecting privacy, which caused her momentary embarrassment.
After Jamieson decried Harris, a story was leaked she asked for $250,000 severance, but it turned out she sought $90,000, normal for a senior public servant with 10 years’ service. Watchdogs also have to beware politicians, who can play rough.
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