Show and Tell

Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin, recently promised greater scrutiny of government finances, to address issues of corruption.
Within days we have yet another whiff of scandal emanating from Ottawa. Ironically, the allegations are not of corruption per se, but an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
A deal Indian and Northern Affairs Canada signed with Ottawa-based Totem Hill Inc. explicitly states that "presentations shall be oral with supporting material provided to aid comprehension but not retained by the department."
A spokeswoman for the Treasury Board, which sets government-wide policy for procurement, declined to say whether the "oral" report adheres to the regulations.
But (Media Relations Spokesperson Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) Michelle Laliberte said Indian and Northern Affairs needs to be able to demonstrate to auditors that the work paid for was in fact delivered.
No doubt the Audit Branch of Treasury will have something to say about the efficacy of this kind of procedure.
Canadians don’t really do corruption all that well, fortunately. If the Federal Government is to establish any kind of credibility in the ethics stakes, transparency and independent oversight are essential.