What is the Harper Government's Twitter Policy?

The British government is making an effort to engage the public with Twitter and is implementing a government-wide policy for its use. This is something we should expect from our Canadian government.

In a 20 page document, the British government's guidelines for Twitter use include:

• post should be "human and credible"
• use "informal spoken English"
• post 2-10 tweets a day
• used for any type government communications
• expect Twitter to play a role in emergency crises
• warns against using Twitter simply to convey campaign messages
• not follow anyone who does not follow you already (to avoid a Big Brother image)
• accept that there will be criticism (my emphasis)
  

It is important to note that, in stark contrast to Canadian MPs who actually block members of the public, the British government accepts criticism as a condition of using Twitter.

Additionally, if the current Canadian government chooses to use Twitter for communicating emergency information during a crisis, they have already compromised this channel by blocking members of the public.

Prime Minister Harper pledged an 'open and transparent government' however it seems with the provision that his government must like what it hears from the public first.

Reference links:
British Government Twitter Policy: link
Canadian MPs who block the public: link
Globe & Mail article: link