BOLTON— On Tuesday, December 12th, Canada’s new Government delivered on yet another promise to Canadians by delivering on its top priority – passing the Federal Accountability Act (FAA) – as Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, granted Royal Assent to the Act in the Senate.

The Act was one of the Government’s top five priorities on taking office. The Act, which makes substantive changes to 45 statutes and amends over 100 others, delivers on the Government’s promise to put in place a five year lobbying ban, to eliminate corporate and union donations, and to protect whistleblowers, among other reforms.

Dufferin-Caledon M.P., David Tilson was appointed Chair of the Legislative Committee for the FAA, in April. During his time as Chair, Mr. Tilson presided over 65 hours of debates, which ran from May 3rd to June 14th. Mr. Tilson was in the Senate for the granting of Royal Assent and was available for the following comment, “The Government has worked relentlessly over nine long months to ensure that this significant piece of legislation has the teeth it requires to be effective and to restore the public’s trust in its elected officials and institutions. I’m very pleased and proud to have been a part of the process which makes everyone in Government, from the Prime Minister downwards, answerable to Canadians.”