THE LIBERAL SPONSORSHIP SCANDAL PUT THE practices of crown corporations squarely in the spotlight of media and public attention in early 2004. Amidst the political acrimony, certain bywords like ‘Transparency’ and ‘Accountability’ poked their way into 96pt-tall headlines.

But what kind of transparency? The tricky thing about transparency is that (pun intended) it’s difficult to see and describe. In this case, people have called for more open communications about transactions and management activities. They want the government to open their books. As it stands, under the Access to Information Act, Crown corporations are granted rights of opacity that other corporations can only dream about. Since we can’t see what’s going on behind the curtain; how can we hold Crown corporations accountable for their environmental and social performance?

As taxpayers, Canadians have invested heavily in our Crown corporations. In fact, we are all shareholders.As such, we have every right to know that our Crown corporations operate not just in a fiscally responsible manner, but in an environmentally and socially responsible fashion as well. Are they contributing to our social and environmental well-being or exacerbating existing problems? Do they use natural resources efficiently? Are their employees treated with respect?

Ever since Enron, corporate transparency and disclosure practices—on financial and non-financial matters—have been the target of regulators, investors, advocates, and pundits. Rightly so, considering the expanding role of business in society, and the recent crises of confidence in corporate responsibility.Transparency is our insurance policy.

But what about Crown corporations? These bastions of the state deliver important public services, but manage them within a commercial context. Why should we let them slack off on the reporting requirements that we expect from most other large corporations?

As extensions of the state, Crown corporations should be role models for other companies to follow.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
Sustainability reporting—covering the triple bottom line of economic, environmental, and social performance—is rapidly emerging as a valuable business practice among leading companies. The trend is likely to accelerate, as governments, stock exchanges, institutional investors, financial analysts, and environmental and social advocates pressure companies for greater non-financial disclosure to help make more balanced decisions and to restore confidence in the markets.

Without objective disclosure of corporate social and environmental performance, investors, consumers and prospective employees are left guessing.

CROWNS WITHOUT JEWELS
An analysis of the sustainability disclosure practices of the top ten federal Crown corporations (based on 2002 revenues) reveals some disturbing, and all too familiar facts about our state-owned gems. With 80,000 employees and combined revenues of almost $20 billion, Canada’s top federal Crown corporations are a major economic force. As well, these are some of Canada’s oldest corporations—several are more than half a century old. The CBC claims to be Canada’s largest cultural institution.

We assessed disclosure practices by looking at the two most effective media for providing in-depth information—the Internet and annual reports. If Crown corporations are not saying it there, then the public is not being served.

The verdict: Canada’s Crown corporations disappoint at disclosure on non-financial matters. To be fair, their websites often include qualitative information about their social and environmental objectives, and some pleasant stories about their community programs, but quantitative information about actual performance is almost non-existent.

None of the top ten publishes a stand-alone, comprehensive sustainability or social responsibility report.