Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris’ private member’s bill aimed at improving government accountability passed second reading last week, moving one step closer to becoming law.
Bill 109: Transparency in Government Bills Act was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs for further examination.
“Ontarians need and deserve more accountability and transparency from government decision-makers, especially when new laws will affect their family’s and business’s livelihood,” said Harris during a phone interview in his office at Queen’s Park. “This bill will require the government to provide accessible information online, explaining the financial, economic, social and environmental implications of government bills.”
The bill calls for the government to table a comprehensive report with each government bill that will include a detailed summary of the financial costs the bill will have on the government, municipalities, individuals and businesses. There will also be an assessment of potential legislative overlap with different levels of government, a review of how new bills will affect Ontario’s competitiveness on a global stage and the environmental and health effects for the people of Ontario.
“Whether it be in our own homes or businesses we always analyze what the costs and benefits of a major decision will have on our family and business and governments should do the same thing. A lot of the times this already takes place and I am just saying ‘let’s standardize the process here.’”
The report would then be posted on the Legislative Assembly’s website so that all Ontarians would have an opportunity to learn about new government bills.
“A lot of this is already done lets just standardize the process, lets allow Ontarians to see it,” he said. “This is nothing new, it’s not creating more red tape or a new area of government, they do this already so let’s make it readily available online and make it easy for Ontarians to see what is going on at Queen’s Park.”
The bill has been tabled to the finance committee with the support of the Conservatives and the NDP and when committees resume it will be called, debated and possibly taken around Ontario for feedback.
“We had mini discussion on the bill with the NDP and they liked the sounds of it and felt they could work with it and even made some good suggestions regarding it like analyzing the long-term not just short-term costs of legislation. We are always looking for greater transparency especially from our elected officials and government and this was something (the NDP) could support.”
Before the second reading of the bill it had gained local support from the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the New Hamburg Board of Trade, as well as provincial support from the Cement Association of Canada and Canadian Manufactures and Exporters.
