OTTAWA—A flashy government website plastered with photos of Prime Minister Stephen Harper was approved even though it violates federal rules.

According to federal documents obtained by The Canadian Press, bureaucrats advised that the Economic Action Plan website didn’t meet rules — and didn’t merit an exemption from those rules.

However, the website was given the green light anyway by Treasury Board President Vic Toews.

He justified it by writing that the rules — which only came into effect in 2009 — were going to be changed at some future date.

The rules set standards for government websites to ensure they are credible, technically accessible, uniform and non-partisan.

More than a year after the exemption, the rules remain in place — as does the website.