In 1867 Canada was born as a new nation dedicated to promoting 'peace, order, and good government'. For about one hundred years we seem to have been pretty satisfied with our performance. In the past thirty, however, even though we seem to have held onto the first two ideals, there has been anever-growing suspicion that the third is slipping away from us. The discovery of new depths in public cynicism about politicians and politics is no longer news. We don't seem to trust the people we elect to run our governments, and we only vote for them because the alternatives seem even worse. Thatis, if we bother to vote at all.In A Question of Ethics, the authors went directly to the public in a broad-based survey to try and map out more precisely the contours of acceptability in political behaviour. Chapter One discusses the basic concepts and principles of political ethics and includes ethical rules, such as they are,that apply to public officials in Canada. Chapter Two expands on this background and lays out the methodological and analytical framework that guides the rest of the book. The next four chapters examine in detail a particular type of problematic political behaviour. In Chapter Three, the authorsjump directly into the murky and confusing waters of 'Conflict of Interest'. Chapter Four examines 'Gifts and Gains', Chapter Five covers 'Patronage', and Chapter Six covers 'Lying'.In each chapter the authors look at examples of each behaviour, the forces that pressure officials to indulge in or avoid them, and arguments that have been made to defend or rationalize their use. What will emerge from these discussions and some concluding thoughts is a better understanding of howour fellow Canadians feel about political ethics, and how those feelings apply in specific areas.

A Question of Ethics

Greene, Ian

Atkinson, Michael M.

Nevitte, Neil

Blais, André

Mancuso, Maureen

OUP Canada

Kickbacks and secret slush funds. Untendered contracts awarded for work that was never done. Millions of dollars that disappeared into the pockets of ad men with access to powerful politicians. These were the kinds of revelations that kept many Canadians riveted to their televisions in spring2005 as witnesses appeared before the commission of inquiry chaired by Justice John Gomery. Sometimes governments fall because of scandals like these. But, curiously perhaps, sometimes they survive in spite of them. The fundamental issue of political ethics, as the authors of this pioneering studyreveal, is the precise location of the boundary between right and wrong - or, at least, between what is acceptable and what is not.In a sense, the Gomery inquiry embodies the official response to a series of ethical transgressions. But what is more important, especially to strategists in the major political parties, is how Canadians react. The official response and the public one may be two different things entirely.THe political scientists whose work forms the basis of A Question of Ethics explore four types of unethical behaviour: conflict of interest, gifts and gains, patronage, and lying. Based on interviews with more than 1,400 Canadians, this book maps public attitudes to these difficult issues. Theresult is a comprehensive picture of what Canadians expect of their public officials, from the kind of conduct they will tolerate, to the kind they feel discredits the system itself. These findings are crucial because, after all, it is Canadians - not commissioners - who will determine the fate ofgovernments.Revised and updated to include information on the Gomery inquiry, A Question of Ethics will appeal to anyone intrigued by the ethical pitfalls, dilemmas and choices inherent in political life.

Question of Ethics: Canadians Speak Out (REV)

Atkinson, Michael

Constitutional Law

Oxford University Press, Canada

Academic and policy circles have been abuzz lately over the political involvement of groups in the judicial process – the “court party thesis.” But how can we understand this debate without understanding the fundamentals of how courts actually operate? The Courts addresses this question by providing a well-informed account of the judicial system and its relation to democratic life. Ian Greene covers all the dimensions of the judicial system that have a significant bearing on the quality of Canadian democracy. He offers an insider’s perspective on the workings of the court: the role of judges, lawyers, and expert witnesses; the cost of litigation; the representativeness of juries; legal aid issues; and questions of jury reform. Greene also examines judicial activism, though within a much wider context. The book moves the debate about the role of the courts beyond its most well-travelled aspects, such as judicial appointment, discipline, independence, and review, to consider the ways in which the courts affect daily life and to examine these effects in terms of democratic principles. The Courts acknowledges that although courts are often viewed as elitist and unaccountable, democratic components of their operation nevertheless make them a more valuable aspect of democratic practice than most citizens realize. A valuable addition to the Canadian Democratic Audit series, this clearly written and engaging account of the court system will be welcomed by those studying law and politics.

The Courts (Canadian Democratic Audit)

Business

UBC Press

History

Americas

Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms has transformed Canadian life since it was adopted as part of the Canadian constitution in 1982. The Charter requires judges to make decisions on a wide range of issues that affect all Canadians. In doing so, the courts play a major role in citizens’ lives. Because of the Charter: - The law against prostitution was struck down. - The Harper government"s treatment of child soldier Omar Khadr was found to violate his rights. - Vancouver’s Insite safe injection site was kept open, overriding a federal government decision requiring it to shut down. Ian Greene is a political scientist, and his focus in this book is to highlight the many significant ways the Charter shapes Canadian life. After providing background on the creation and implementation of the Charter, he describes its impact on a wide range of issues — aboriginal affairs, voting rights, freedom of religion, the right to strike, and language rights, among others. Greene describes key decisions in these areas and comments on the often-conflicting views of the judges deciding them. Even though the Charter is a legal document, debated by lawyers and decided by judges, Greene approaches his subject with an eye on the political impact the Charter has on governments and ordinary citizens. Public discussion of the Charter is often framed around the question of who should make these important decisions — elected politicians or unelected judges. This book provides a clear understanding of how the Charter works and how ordinary citizens have succeeded — or failed — to win change from the courts. It offers information that people on every side of public discussion can use regarding the role of the Charter in Canadian life.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms: 30+ years of decisions that shape Canadian life

Lorimer

There have been enormous changes in Canadian public life in the past two decades. More and more, politicians and officials are expected to act honestly and in the public interest. Yet, for many, honest politics is still an oxymoron.
 Using high-profile political scandals as case studies, this book explores the standards of accountability to which Canadian politicians are now being held. The authors discuss conflict-of-interest and abuse-of-trust cases such as Brian Mulroney's receipt at secret meetings of envelopes stuffed with thousand dollar bills; the gas plant scandal in Ontario; Allison Redford's self-serving authorizations of spending in Alberta; Mike Duffy and the Senate expenses scandal; party financing cases such as the Robocalls affair; "dirty hands" examples such as the sponsorship scandal and the Arrar affair; the "cash for access" controversy surrounding Justin Trudeau's fundraisers; and municipal issues including the sagas of Rob Ford and Hazel McCallion.
 Canada is a leader among countries promoting ethical politics in a democratic society. In this book expert authors from across the country discuss the strengths and weaknesses of measures now in place and point to the most important challenges that remain before Canadians can believe that honesty prevails in public life.

Honest Politics Now: What ethical conduct means in Canadian public life

As a judge, Beverley McLachlin is known for her unique ability to stand up for the values and beliefs that reflect the best of Canadaand Canadians. As chief justice, she led the way to assisted suicide legislation, greater recognition of aboriginal rights and title, safe injection sites for drug users and many other changes that have had a dramatic impact on Canadian life. Less well known is how she encouraged collegiality within the Supreme Court and led Canadian judges to pay closer attention to real-world information about the issues they are considering. Her defence of the independence of the court and her own personal integrity when she was attacked by Stephen Harper -- an incident discussed and documented in this book -- underline her strength of character and integrity. This book sketches Beverley McLachlin's experiences growing up in rural Alberta, attending university, becoming a lawyer and then a judge. At a time when governments were seeking qualified women for senior positions in Canada's courts, she was selected by politicians, both Liberal and Conservative, to fill progressively higher positions. As leading Canadian writers on the role of the judiciary in Canada, Ian Greene and Peter McCormick offer readers a balanced, informed perspective on her time on the Supreme Court -- a role that was remarkable for her prodigious work and the clarity of her decisions.

Beverley McLachlin: The Legacy of a Supreme Court Chief Justice

Biographies & Memoirs

McCormick, Peter

Community & Culture

Judges and Judging: Inside the Canadian Judicial System

First published in 1990, this book is the first to examine in detail who Canada's judges are and how they make their decisions. During eight years of research, the authors gathered detailed biographical information on judges, including their backgrounds, political connections and previous work experience. They consider in detail the nature of judicial appointments in Canada, the background characteristics of judges, the process of judicial decision-making, the role of the Supreme Court of Canada, and the controversial position of judges as legislators. Judges and Judging is a pioneering work presenting a portrait of Canada's judiciary that remains relevant today.

Rules & Procedures

First published in 1990, this book is the first to examine in detail who Canada's judges are and how they make their decisions. During eight years of research, the authors gathered detailed biographical information on judges, including their backgrounds, political connections and previous work experience. They consider in detail the nature of judicial appointments in Canada, the background characteristics of judges, the process of judicial decision-making, the role of the Supreme Court of Canada, and the controversial position of judges as legislators.Judges and Judging is a pioneering work presenting a portrait of Canada's judiciary that remains relevant today.

Honest Politics provides a framework for distinguishing right from wrong in politics and supplies some ideas for ensuring that ethical decision-making can be enforced. Greene and Shugarman look at the ethical issues raised by conflicts of interest, patronage, party financing, and lobbyists. They discuss a variety of high-profile cases, including Bill Vander Zalm and Fantasy Gardens, Ralph Klein and Multi-Corp, and Kim Campbell and the Pearson Airport deal. In Honest Politics, the authors assert that honesty in public life is not an impossible goal but something we can demand and achieve.

Honest Politics: Seeking Integrity in Canadian Political Life

Politics & Social Sciences

Shugarman, David P.

Politics & Government

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Greene, Ian. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Greene, Ian

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Greene, Ian. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

A Question of Ethics

Question of Ethics: Canadians Speak Out (REV)

The Courts (Canadian Democratic Audit)

The Courts (Canadian Democratic Audit)

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms: 30+ years of decisions that shape Canadian life

Honest Politics Now: What ethical conduct means in Canadian public life

Beverley McLachlin: The Legacy of a Supreme Court Chief Justice

Judges and Judging: Inside the Canadian Judicial System

Judges and Judging: Inside the Canadian Judicial System

Honest Politics: Seeking Integrity in Canadian Political Life