‘… Canadians are entitled to know what their government is up to’

Is that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty arguing that Parliament needs a fully independent and better-funded parliamentary budget officer?

Is that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty saying that the government will spend the necessary funds to implement full estimates reform?

Is that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty expressing regret for the lack of disclosure that resulted in the government being found in contempt of Parliament two years ago?

Is that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty agreeing that government backbenchers need to be more independent so that they can properly hold the government to account?

Is that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty pledging that comprehensive access to information reform will be a priority over the next two years?

Is that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty explaining that the government will comply with the interim parliamentary budget officer’s request?

Nope. That’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty explaining why the Harper government spends money on ads like this.