Democracy is for all intentional purposes based on mutual respect, which means free and fair elections, human rights, and ethical government. How well are we doing with current standards of ethics in politics and the public service, how successfully are they enforced, and how could they be improved? These standards involve conflicts of interest, lobbying, election financing, whistleblowing, expense claims, and public sector accountability.

This presentation will contextualize some of the past and present scandals involving both Canadian public servants and elected politicians. Is there a trend towards less accountability and are ethics being compromised as part of a larger problem within society? The speaker will offer hope and suggestions for the future and argue that democracy is not a spectator sport.….. Voter apathy makes it very fragile.
Speaker: Ian Greene, PhD

Ian Greene has the title of University Professor at York University in Toronto and as of July, 2013, is semi-retired. He is a member of the School of Public Policy and Administration, and has taught at York University since 1985. Prior to this, he worked for the Government of Alberta for four years, and taught at the University of Lethbridge. He has published seven books, two of them with U of L professor Peter McCormick, and numerous articles.

Dr. Greene has taught courses in Canadian public law, the Charter of Rights, judicial administration, program evaluation, political ethics, Canadian government, and public administration. He was the inaugural Director of York’s Master’s program Public Policy, Administration and Law. He was an associate dean in the Faculty of Arts from 1997 to 2000. He has been co-director of the professional development LLM programme in administrative law in Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the York Collegium for Practical Ethics, and the Centre for Public Policy and Law. From 2003 to 2004, he was Chair of the York University Senate. He has been a frequent media commentator on ethics issues in politics.

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015
Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)

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