Busted bureaucrat slams Tories for bullying public servants

[CD]

Busted bureaucrat slams Tories for bullying public servants

10 May, 4:07 PM

OTTAWA (CP) - A federal bureaucrat arrested for allegedly leaking the Conservative government's environmental plan says proposed charges against him "pose a profound threat to the public interest."

Jeff Monaghan says the Conservative government is "bullying" public servants and keeping them quiet with a communications strategy "pinned on secrecy, intimidation and centralization."

The former temporary worker at Environment Canada was arrested Wednesday for allegedly divulging details of a draft version of the government's regulatory framework for climate change.

Monaghan, whose job was to monitor news reports about the government, was led away in handcuffs from his office as co-workers looked on in what he called a "politically engineered raid of my workplace."

Environment Minister John Baird has said the arrest is a signal to other government employees that leaks of information won't be tolerated.

Police said they received a complaint on April 17 that a secret draft copy of the climate-change section of the government's Eco-Action Plan had been released publicly.

On April 17, reporter Dennis Bueckert of The Canadian Press wrote about the leaked climate-change plan, quoting from the federal draft, marked "Secret," and dated April 13.

Monaghan was arrested on an allegation of breach of trust under the Criminal Code for leaking secret draft legislation. The RCMP later clarified the statement, saying the leak involved a "regulatory framework," and not actual legislation.

The complaint about the leak came from the department's deputy minister, Michael Horgan, said Environment Canada spokeswoman Lynn Brunette. But critics say the government must have pressured Horgan to call in the police.

The draft plan revealed that the Conservatives would undertake to cut greenhouse gas emissions 45 to 65 per cent from 2006 levels by 2050. The plan has been roundly criticized by environmentalists for not going far enough.

[Widow]

Wow. See what they do to "snitches" in Canada now.

Why was the document "secret" in the first place? What is so secret about planning for the environment?

[xsbank]

My understanding is that timing might affect equity markets, but as somebody else here has pointed out, the government doesn't know what that is anyway.

Its bogus, though - lose your job by leaking information, but handcuffs? The Government of Canada is losing its mind, and like all that have done before, the citizens suffer the most.

At least the military is somewhere else and busy so they can't be used against us!

Cue the argument against gun control....

[CD]

Cue the argument against gun control....

Oh, I just couldn't let that opportunity pass by...

Paintball victim's mother asks shooters to take responsibility

[WJflyer]

The most important question is as follows:
1. Why the hell is a temporary worker doing in possession of a secret document?

2. Why the hell is an known anarchist doing working for the government?

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/212641

Busted bureaucrat slams Tories

THE SUICIDE PILOTS/MYSPACE.COM
Jeff Monaghan, seen in a photo from his band's myspace.com site, was arrested Wednesday over an alleged leak of the Conservative climate change plan last month. He was later released without charges.

Monaghan's Myspace page

Tories aim at 'secrecy, intimidation and centralization,' arrested civil servant charges

May 10, 2007 04:55 PM
Canadian Press

OTTAWA – A federal bureaucrat arrested for allegedly leaking the Conservative government's environmental plan says proposed charges against him "pose a profound threat to the public interest."

"They are without precedent in their disproportionality, they are vengeful, and they are an extension of a government-wide communications strategy pinned on secrecy, intimidation and centralization," Jeff Monaghan told a hastily organized news conference on Thursday.

The former temporary worker at Environment Canada was arrested Wednesday for allegedly divulging details of a draft version of the government's regulatory framework for climate change.

Monaghan, whose job was to monitor news reports about the government, was led away from his office in handcuffs as co-workers looked on in what he called a "politically engineered raid of my workplace."

Monaghan is a member of an anarchist collective that runs a bookstore in Ottawa. He has also been listed as a member of a punk band called the Suicide Pilots.

Environment Minister John Baird has said the arrest is a signal to other government employees that leaks of information won't be tolerated.

Police said they received a complaint on April 17 that a secret draft copy of the climate-change section of the government's Eco-Action Plan had been released publicly.

On April 17, reporter Dennis Bueckert of The Canadian Press wrote about the leaked climate-change plan, quoting from the federal draft, marked "Secret," and dated April 13.

Monaghan made no secret of his concern about climate change, but he did not directly admit to the leak. He accused the government of trying to fool the public into thinking it is still committed to the Kyoto agreement to reduce greenhouse gas reductions.

"Our society knows the threat presented by the changing climate, global warming, and the rapidly increasing growth of industrial emissions," said Monaghan. "We deserve real action, not cynically calculated PR campaigns and witchhunts on public servants."

Monaghan was arrested on an allegation of breach of trust under the Criminal Code for leaking secret draft legislation. The RCMP later clarified the statement, saying the leak involved a ``regulatory framework," and not actual legislation.

The complaint about the leak came from Michael Horgan, the department's deputy minister, said Environment Canada spokeswoman Lynn Brunette. But critics say the government must have pressured Horgan to call in the police.

The draft plan revealed that the Conservatives would undertake to cut greenhouse gas emissions 45 to 65 per cent from 2006 levels by 2050. The plan has been roundly criticized by environmentalists for not going far enough.

Edit: On top of that, this dude also broke numerous oaths he swore when he became a public servant. One of them was an oath of secrecy. So he is now whining about being caught breaking one of these oaths? Eat Criminal Code:

From the Criminal Code of Canada:

"Breach of trust by public officer

122. Every official who, in connection with the duties of his office, commits fraud or a breach of trust is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, whether or not the fraud or breach of trust would be an offence if it were committed in relation to a private person."

[xsbank]

Agreed. Really.

But why the handcuffs? Is he likely to grab a typewriter (oh wait, we don't have those anymore except at DND) or a handful of incriminating paper? I think if he breached the law somehow he should be charged, but they let murderers out on bail...heaven forbid the land should be beset by bureaucrats!

And government business is SO secret! What if (gasp!) a member of the public found out what our elected officials were doing? After he recovered from the laughter, maybe he might hear some super-secret cabinet stuff? Oh the dreadful ramifications! 5 years in jail for leaking drivel? Committing a fraud, send him to Afghanistan for sure. In fact, send all our prisoners to Afghanistan! What a concept!

I'm sorry, but I can't take this seriously. It all seems a load of old cobblers, claptrap and nonsense to distract us from what's really going on, which is dead soldiers in Afghanistan, record high gasoline prices and a government asleep at the Air India switch. Homelessness, drug addiction, drug trafficking, Cormorant helicopters, no fish, street gangs, Cormorant helicopters, beetle kill, too much traffic, Cormorant helicopters..........and SMS.

[Dust Devil]

Agreed. Really.

But why the handcuffs? Is he likely to grab a typewriter (oh wait, we don't have those anymore except at DND) or a handful of incriminating paper? I think if he breached the law somehow he should be charged, but they let murderers out on bail...heaven forbid the land should be beset by bureaucrats!

And government business is SO secret! What if (gasp!) a member of the public found out what our elected officials were doing? After he recovered from the laughter, maybe he might hear some super-secret cabinet stuff? Oh the dreadful ramifications! 5 years in jail for leaking drivel? Committing a fraud, send him to Afghanistan for sure. In fact, send all our prisoners to Afghanistan! What a concept!

I'm sorry, but I can't take this seriously. It all seems a load of old cobblers, claptrap and nonsense to distract us from what's really going on, which is dead soldiers in Afghanistan, record high gasoline prices and a government asleep at the Air India switch. Homelessness, drug addiction, drug trafficking, Cormorant helicopters, no fish, street gangs, Cormorant helicopters, beetle kill, too much traffic, Cormorant helicopters..........and SMS.

Everyone who arrested is handcuffed. I'm pretty sure that's standard procedure as it should be.

I recall Conrad Black was also handcuffed. Did pose a danger?

[WJflyer]

Agreed. Really.

But why the handcuffs? Is he likely to grab a typewriter (oh wait, we don't have those anymore except at DND) or a handful of incriminating paper? I think if he breached the law somehow he should be charged, but they let murderers out on bail...heaven forbid the land should be beset by bureaucrats!

And government business is SO secret! What if (gasp!) a member of the public found out what our elected officials were doing? After he recovered from the laughter, maybe he might hear some super-secret cabinet stuff? Oh the dreadful ramifications! 5 years in jail for leaking drivel? Committing a fraud, send him to Afghanistan for sure. In fact, send all our prisoners to Afghanistan! What a concept!

I'm sorry, but I can't take this seriously. It all seems a load of old cobblers, claptrap and nonsense to distract us from what's really going on, which is dead soldiers in Afghanistan, record high gasoline prices and a government asleep at the Air India switch. Homelessness, drug addiction, drug trafficking, Cormorant helicopters, no fish, street gangs, Cormorant helicopters, beetle kill, too much traffic, Cormorant helicopters..........and SMS.

The problem is giving someone an edge. When the government comes out with a press release on a new policy objective, regulation, or procurement process, everyone from there should be on a even footing as they are all being told at the same time. No one is to know the details of whatever the government comes up with until they are told by the government. In this case, there was a leak of what was to be a regulatory framework.

The government reported a crime, information security IS important as most here in the DND know only too well. They did not demand the moron's arrest, they left the police to do their jobs. If anyone possibility over-reacted, (no one did) it was the RCMP. The idiot decided he was going to leak sensitive government documents. The police and the judicial system should and are going to throw the book at him.

What infuriates me and my colleagues and removes all sympathy from me is that he then decides to hold a press conference, egged on from the shadows by environmental groups, many of which are funded through tax exempt donations by the public, a condition of that funding? That they remain a-political... The government should compile a list and start revoking their tax-exempt status...

Letting this guy get away with his actions will send the wrong message to the civil service here in Canada; they can leak sensitive documents whenever they want, and they won't get punished for it. This behaviour is another example of the degradation of the pluralist system in this country. An independent, loyal (to whatever government is in power), neutral and trustworthy civil service is a fundamental requirement of our democracy. Remove that, and can government function and enact and enforce regulations? No, they can't.

As a public servant, in exchange some political rights such as membership in a political party and a public profile, I get a permanent career, indefinite tenure, selection by merit, a regular work week, and a nice pension when I finally do retire. Note that I give up my right to be politically partisan for these benefits. I signed on the dotted lines. I swore my oaths. If I broke any of these rules and oaths I have taken, I should be hauled off the jail. This idiot when he became a public servant did the same thing, he signed on the dotted lines and swore the oaths. He then proceeded to break those oaths and rules, and he cries about being hauled off by the police in front of cameras. What a douche bag.

[EI-EIO]

This might actually bring to the surface a more pervasive problem. This guy was a temp in fed service for four years. The process for hiring permanents is so bad departments are filling gaps with temps rather than go through the hassle.

[Widow]

The temp worker/contractor has become the norm at all levels, from government, to small business. Nobody gets a "job" anymore. You get a "contract", and your boss gets to enjoy all kinds of advantages.

[CD]

Federal leak investigations lack independence: critics

18 Jan, 3:13 PM

OTTAWA - A secret internal probe into the leak of a federal fiscal update turned up nothing, raising questions among critics about how the government handles investigations of unauthorized disclosures.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper received regular confidential briefings from the country's top civil servant on the probe, which failed to find the source of the October 2007 leak of details about the economic and fiscal update, newly declassified memos show.

Security officials in the Privy Council Office, which provides advice and policy recommendations to the prime minister, sprang into action following publication of an Oct. 23, 2007, article in the National Post that said a coming federal mini-budget would include cuts to income and corporate taxes as well as the GST.

It added the plan was "being resisted in the Privy Council Office" by public servants wary of producing the mini-budget on a short time line.

Rennie Marcoux, assistant secretary to the cabinet for security and intelligence and a former senior member of Canada's spy agency, led the internal probe "of this unauthorized disclosure of cabinet confidences," says an Oct. 25, 2007, memo to Harper from Privy Council Clerk Kevin Lynch.

The top federal bureaucrat also briefed Harper the next day.

The investigation did not uncover who leaked the information, Privy Council spokeswoman Myriam Massabki said in an interview.

In a Jan. 11, 2008, memo to the prime minister, Lynch said the probe "served as a strong reminder to those who were interviewed of the importance of protecting cabinet confidences."

The fact the Privy Council Office investigated a leak that may have emerged from its own ranks provides no independent assurance of legitimacy and transparency, said Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch, an Ottawa-based organization that monitors government ethics.

"They shouldn't be investigating it themselves. The conflicts are rife in investigating it yourself," he said.

"We need to have independent investigations."

Conacher said an officer of Parliament, perhaps the federal information commissioner, should look into leaks.

He says two other recent internal security probes - one involving defence secrets, the other information about the North American Free Trade Agreement - were also flawed by lack of independence.

In the first case, a Foreign Affairs review said then-minister Maxime Bernier's carelessness with government documents about a military summit would likely be seen as an individual gaffe rather than "a systemic failure." It made several suggestions for tightening ministerial security but no disciplinary recommendations.

In the second case, a Privy Council Office report cleared Ian Brodie, Harper's then-chief of staff, of breaching confidentiality rules following suggestions that Brodie leaked details of a meeting between an aide to Barack Obama - then a Democratic hopeful, now president-elect - concerning NAFTA.

Conacher said Democracy Watch plans to file complaints about the Bernier and Brodie probes with both the federal public sector integrity commissioner and the conflict-of-interest and ethics commissioner.

The Canadian Press obtained the heavily censored memos about the mini-budget leak under the Access to Information Act. The Privy Council Office violated the law by taking over 10 months to release the 10 pages of material, more than two months past the deadline it had set for itself. The information commissioner has been asked to investigate.

The public is often unaware of the existence, let alone the results, of internal probes into leaks, thefts or losses of sensitive government information. Details of such investigations emerge only through formal information requests or if the investigating agency opts to discuss them.

"It works to the advantage of government and the bureaucracy to be able to have this arbitrary process by which you can selectively choose how it publicizes these investigations," said lawyer Yavar Hameed, who represents a former public servant who was investigated for, but never charged with, leaking a document.

Jeffrey Monaghan has filed a lawsuit that contends the RCMP did the bidding of the Conservative government in May last year by "planning his arrest in an extremely public manner" at his Gatineau, Que., office "without sufficient cause or intention to charge him."

The RCMP says it arrested Monaghan at work over disclosure of draft details of an environmental plan - and escorted him out in handcuffs - because the police force couldn't figure out where he lived.

[mcrit]

The fellow violated the official secrets act. Everybody that has access to protected material gets briefed on it and what can happen if you violate it. This goes beyond party politics. I have no sympathy for the guy.

[sky's the limit]

The fellow violated the official secrets act. Everybody that has access to protected material gets briefed on it and what can happen if you violate it. This goes beyond party politics. I have no sympathy for the guy.

Seems you have information nobody else does... Unless of course I'm missing something on this one.

Rennie Marcoux, assistant secretary to the cabinet for security and intelligence and a former senior member of Canada's spy agency, led the internal probe "of this unauthorized disclosure of cabinet confidences," says an Oct. 25, 2007, memo to Harper from Privy Council Clerk Kevin Lynch....

...The investigation did not uncover who leaked the information, Privy Council spokeswoman Myriam Massabki said in an interview.

[trey kule]

At least the military is somewhere else and busy so they can't be used against us!

Cue the argument against gun control

For now XS, for now.

I do believe however, that people that "leak" government documents should be held responsible. What is in the document is not the issue. It is the fact that someone who has a little more indepth knowledge of a document might understand the reason for the secrecy. this guy, if he did it, has his own agenda...and rightly or wrongly, that is in conflict with our government.

I wonder how many of you that feel leaking government documents is OK, would like to see your personal income tax files in the paper. Or any problems you have had with any government department. Confidentiality and responsibility dont depend on what is in the document.

[mcrit]

mcrit wrote:
The fellow violated the official secrets act. Everybody that has access to protected material gets briefed on it and what can happen if you violate it. This goes beyond party politics. I have no sympathy for the guy.


Seems you have information nobody else does... Unless of course I'm missing something on this one.

On April 17, reporter Dennis Bueckert of The Canadian Press wrote about the leaked climate-change plan, quoting from the federal draft, marked Secret, and dated April 13.

If a government document is marked 'secret' it falls under the Security of Information Act , which prohibits distribution of said document. Given that Monaghan's defence seems to consist of "I acted in what I saw as the best interest of the nation" vs. "I didn't do it", my money is on he did it.

[sky's the limit]

Monaghan's defence seems to consist of "I acted in what I saw as the best interest of the nation" vs. "I didn't do it", my money is on he did it.

Regardless, we still live in a country where you need proof to declare a suspect "guilty...."

stl

[mcrit]

Regardless, we still live in a country where you need proof to declare a suspect "guilty...."

A judge does; however a private citizen is quite free to offer an educated opinion.

[sky's the limit]

Regardless, we still live in a country where you need proof to declare a suspect "guilty...."

A judge does; however a private citizen is quite free to offer an educated opinion.

Educated? You read the same crap in the papers the rest of us read concerning this - I'd hardly use the term "educated..." Guilty or not, we don't know, apparently neither do the investigators.

stl

[mcrit]

Educated? You read the same crap in the papers the rest of us read concerning this

I'm sorry, I didn't realize the 'rest of you' had been briefed on the Security of Information Act. Also, reading the accused's public statement one notices that he does not deny the charges. Nowhere does he say "I didn't leak this", which leads one to draw a reasonable conclusion that he did in fact leak the document.

Take a look at his statement. Nowhere does he deny being the leak. If I were in his place, and I were innocent, the first words in my statement would be, "I didn't do this"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/bnfiles/ ... tement.pdf

[Cat Driver]

STL remember our conversation regarding mcrit?

[sky's the limit]

STL remember our conversation regarding mcrit?

But of course Cat.

[Wilbur]

Anyone thinking government workers leaking documents is not a serious issue is a certifiable idiot.

The security level of the document is entirely irrelevent. As a government employee I have to remain politically neutral in all my actions connected to my job. Leaking documents or information can have profound impacts on the different levels of governments. Doing so has the potential to create political shit storms that can bring down governments, change the outcome of elections, make millions for some, cost the same for others, destroy reputations, careers and lives. Government employees are ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN from using or accessing any info not freely available to the general public for any purpose not directly connected to their own job.

How would you feel if some government worker leaked a "draft" document or discussion paper on the eve of an election that created a contraversy changing the outcome when the politicians did not accept or act on that paper?

As a provincial government manager I'm free to be a member of a political party, engage in political debates, and run for office. However, I am not permitted to use or disclose non-public information I have as a result of my job, use my position to help add credibility to my personal opinions, or to comment on matters relating to my Ministry or job. I don't know if the feds are different.

If this guy is guilty, I hope the judge has his balls for bookends.

[Cat Driver]

If this guy is guilty, I hope the judge has his balls for bookends.

You don't want him tasered first?

[Wilbur]

Nah, fried balls make poor book ends.