Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper's promises about a “new era of accountability” and increased transparency in Ottawa, the Conservative government has failed to deliver. Late last month, they quietly announced a plan to scrap the long-form census and replace it with a voluntary survey.

When Jerry Friesen steps onto Foote Field for the Gridiron Bears home opener this September, he will have emphasized four key points to his players in the locker room — teamwork, discipline, competitiveness, and work ethic.