Why Voters Re-elect Controversial Premiers

The scandals of Doug Ford and Danielle Smith continue to make headlines, but it appears to have little impact on them politically. 

Now, Ford is changing the rules around Freedom of Information to make it harder to hold him accountable. Smith has also been criticized for her government’s approach to information requests. This clawback on the access of information is a trend in other governments across the country. 

How does the public and the media demand accountability when politicians dominate the messaging through their own channels and limit the availability of information? 

Host: San Grewal 

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Max Fawcett

Further reading: 

• Ford government moves to make all premier, minister records secret | Globalnews.ca
• Investigation finds Alberta government broke its own freedom of information rules | CBC News
• Canadians say business and political corruption is common, but few trust government to address issue - Angus Reid
• Library and Archives planning deep cuts to access to information team, document shows - The Globe and Mail
• A non-partisan, equal-opportunity scandal | Canada's National Observer: Climate News
• Report into Alberta Health Services contracts finds conflicts widely known | Globalnews.ca
• Naheed Nenshi needs to step up — or step down - Canada’s National Observer
• The inconvenient truth about the carbon tax and food prices | Toronto Sun
• Roadsalt overuse is choking Peel’s water — a salt-loving plant could be the solution | The Pointer        

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