Public has right to know terms of Johnston’s contract, especially whether it includes conflict of interest rules, and his pay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, April 3, 2023

OTTAWA – Today, Democracy Watch called on David Johnston and Prime Minister Trudeau to disclose Johnston’s sole-source contract and pay for being Trudeau’s Special Rapporteur on foreign interference in Canadian politics.

No one should call Mr. Johnston the “Independent Special Rapporteur” because he is not independent in any way from Prime Minister Trudeau – he was chosen by Trudeau; serves at his pleasure; has no job security, and; has no powers under any statute or regulation to investigate anything.

While Mr. Johnston’s mandate was made public on March 21, the actual terms of his contract and pay have not been disclosed.

The federal government’s database of contracts worth more than $10,000 does not contain any contracts between the government and David Johnston.

Given his relationship with Trudeau, a key question is whether Johnston’s contract contains any conflict of interest rules?

“As with all government spending, especially on consultants, the public has a right to know the details of David Johnston’s contract including his pay,” said Duff Conacher, Co-founder of Democracy Watch.

Democracy Watch has also filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Canada Elections calling for an investigation of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, and has also called for several changes to the interference Protocol as well as changes to other key laws to prevent foreign interference.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Duff Conacher, Co-founder of Democracy Watch
Tel: (613) 241-5179
Cell: 416-546-3443
Email: [email protected]

Democracy Watch’s Stop Bad Government Appointments Campaign and Government Ethics Campaign and Open Government Campaign