1. Transparency is the disclosure of information about all government procedures and the use of that information by the public. Wendy Ginsberg lists the requirements for transparency to work in her 2012 report to members and committees of the US Congress; it must have “an audience capable of accessing, understanding and using the information it receives from the federal government.” Transparency is important because it is the key to accountability. It gives citizens information they can use to hold leaders accountable for their actions, and politicians and bureaucrats are less likely to break the law if they know their misdeeds will be exposed. Responsibility is the responsibility of government, politicians and citizens. officials to the public for their actions. Accountability is important because it makes leaders responsible for the consequences of their actions and helps enforce good conduct in the execution of their duties because they are aware that they will be punished for misconduct. As Unit 6 explains, access to information is an element of transparency. is applied in the Canadian Access to Information Act. The Act was particularly useful in exposing the sponsorship scandal, when Globe and Mail journalist Daniel Leblanc used it to access information and write a series of articles on the sponsorship program. Accountability followed audits and investigations that resulted in criminal charges against some program participants, as well as the defeat of the Liberal government. Transparency is not sufficiently protected in Canada for two main reasons: psychological influence and practical application. Unit 6 explains that information is power; he who has more information has more influence, and bureaucrats fear... middle of paper ... it's the client or recipient of favoritism who may not be well equipped. Effective use of sponsorship has several advantages. This contributed to government accountability; can be used to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in government, especially in a highly diverse country like Canada. It can also be used to bridge political divides and build coalitions, much like former U.S. Presidents Reagan and Clinton did, who used patronage to change the policy directions of the Federal Trade Commission as well as the Federal Communications Commission ; Additionally, favoritism has been used to emphasize conservation by attempting to change the direction of the U.S. Forest Service. So, instead of removing the entire system of favoritism, it should be enhanced by a more rigorous vetting process to confirm or reject the client's capabilities and integrity..