Dimensions of Accountability

Pol Sci 341 St Francis Xavier University

Dimensions of Accountability

By WhomTo WhomFor WhatBy What Means

By Whom

Ultimately, every public official must be accountable, but with key distinctions between political/elected officials and bureaucrats/ appointed officials

An important feature of private sector “governance” as well

Everyone one in a position of trust has some form of legal accountability

To Whom

Up, down and sideways: the notion of 360 degree accountability.

Parliament is still the most important focus of accountability in the system of “responsible government”

Hierarchical accountability is in tension with devolved responsibilities

Administrative law (including due process) applies to most bureaucratic responsibilities

For What

The proper spending of public fundsThe effective administration and

application of public lawThe efficient and effective management of

public programsOverall standards of ethical behaviour,

professional values In general, for that for which one is

responsible…

By what means

• Legal and bureaucratic accountability• Detailed reporting by specific dates, for specific

information, to specific named organizations

• Broader political and social accountability• Keeping the policy community informed,

explaining actions of policy and administration

• Openness when things go wrong

• Accountability versus “answerability”

Theories and styles of accountability

Finer (1941) – “objective approach”Strict, detailed rulesHierarchy of reportingVery limited discretion

Friedrich (1940) – “subjective approach”Rules can’t cover everythingFlexibility over rigidityRely more on organizational culture and values

Johnson’s “synthetic approach”

Three types of accountability1. Traditional political responsiveness2. Legal responsiveness (administrative law)3. Social responsiveness

The three types co-exist, each has its strengths and weaknesses

The Accountability of Ministers

• To the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Caucus

• To Parliament – for their portfolio • To Departments – as effective

spokespersons• To stakeholders – as an effective

advocate• To the electorate at large• Once they leave office ….???

The Accountability of the Opposition MP

Accountable to the electorate, to their Party Leader, to the Caucus

They hold the Ministers and the overall Ministry (Government) accountable for just about everything

Means of enforcing accountability:Question PeriodPAC and other parliamentary committeesAuditor-General’s Office

The Accountability of Deputy Ministers

To the Minister/ Minister’s staffTo the Prime Minister and the Clerk of the Privy

CouncilTo the Treasury Board, Public Services

Commission, etc.Answerable To Parliament (Public Accounts

Committee and other Standing Committees)But remember: the general principle of civil

service anonymity

The Accountability of the Ordinary Public Servant

To the Deputy Minister(indirectly through the DM) to the Minister,

Parliament, electorateTo their immediate supervisorTo stakeholders / Clientele To professional norms and values To their conscience

Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Scandal (1)Sponsorship program ran from 1994-2002, cost

$320 milllionGoal was to advertise and promote federal

programs, mainly in QuebecRequired the administration of procurement

contracts with public relations and advertising firms

Scandal arose after discovery of fraud, gross mismanagement

Judge John Gomery appointed as Commission on Inquiry.

Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Scandal (2)Judge Gomery’s November 2005 findings:

Excessive political interference in program administration (by Minister, by PMO)

Insufficient managerial oversight (by Deputy Minister, by Chuck Guite)

Excessive secrecy, avoidance of compliance, fear of reprisal for “whistle blowing”

Gross overcharging on government contracts

Gomery Inquiry into the Sponsorship Scandal (3)Gomery report findings (continued) :

Funds spent for unauthorized purposesKickbacks and illegal contributions to Liberal partyConflict of interest by retired employeesA “culture of entitlement” among politically-connected

persons

Report ultimately led to fall of Liberal government, and to stringent new accountability measures.

Harper Government reforms

Comprehensive legislative and policy changes, 2006

Trying to adopt a “new culture of accountability”

Five key elements:Party and election financingMore integrity/openness in procurement processStronger independent parliamentary oversightStronger Access to InformaitonWhistleblowing protection