Standing down to stand up: Is ministerial accountability dead?

It's Political with Althia Raj

This week on “It’s Political,” we dive into ministerial accountability. Mistakes and ethical lapses happen all the time. Whether it’s allowing tins of tainted tuna to hit the market or leaving secure documents where they shouldn’t be, Canadian parliamentarians have a long history of resigning when they mess up. Today, we ask the question: Why does it seem like ministers don’t step down anymore? First, political science professors Alex Marland, Jonathan Malloy, and Donald Savoie give us a civics lesson on why ministerial accountability is such an important part of our system of government. Then, we’ll sit down with Conservative MP Michael Chong, former Liberal MP Scott Simms, and Lori Turnbull, the director of the School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University, to discuss what role ministerial accountability plays today and how MPs can do a better job of holding ministers to account.

Thanks this week to Alison Pier at Library and Archives Canada, Jacqueline Lee and Michel Gagnon at CPAC, Toronto Star Halifax reporter Steve McKinley, as well as the House of Commons, CBC Archives, CPAC, CTV, and Global for footage.

“It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Sean Pattendon mixes the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.