Category: Uncategorized
Nine fault lines and seams within the federal public service
There are a number of fault lines and seams that are familiar to those of us who have worked within the federal service and have been engaged in efforts to improve its effectiveness. What follows lays out nine of them, with no attempt to rank them.
Report highlights strained relationship between public servants and ministers
Original post on Sep 02, 2024 A recent report analyzing what makes a strong public service found that governments worldwide are grappling with building respect between ministers and bureaucrats. A former clerk of the Privy Council and an expert on parliamentary democracy and governance say the issue is prevalent in Canada. The Global Government Forum…
Are provinces with upcoming elections ready to deal with foreign meddling?
Original post on Aug 30, 2024 As a longtime former public servant, Michael Wernick is listening when the Parti Québécois promises a third referendum on independence should it secure power in the next election. He thinks Russia is, too. “It presents an opportunity to disrupt and maybe even break up an important G7 country, so…
Letter from Ottawa: Time approaching for a deep pruning of the federal state in Canada?
GGF’s Management and Workforce Monitor newsletter is taking a break in August, but here we share insight from Michael Wernick, the former clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet on the likely impact of the looming spending review
Preparing for Change: Examining Government Transition Dynamics in Election Cycles
Today, we’re going to be talking about the “end times and new times” and the transition period as we head our way to an election. We’re going explore the topic of how governments prepare for these new times.
Experts pen letter of concern about Lansdowne 2.0
Five prominent Ottawans with decades of experience in budgets, law and municipal affairs have co-signed a letter to the mayor expressing concerns about the latest renewal of Lansdowne Park.
Almost 18,000 boxes still unopened after 50 years at National Archives
The National Archives has yet to open almost 18,000 boxes of historical papers, including some received more than 50 years ago, the federal Heritage Department has revealed.
Cabinet’s privacy pendulum has swung too far in the wrong direction
The black hole at the heart of Canadian democracy – cabinet secrecy – has come under sharp scrutiny in the past year. And just like a collapsed star, not much illumination is escaping into public discourse.
New RCMP units to protect ministers, top bureaucrats from threats of political violence
The RCMP is preparing to offer close protection services to both senior federal ministers and public servants in response to the rising threat of political violence, sources say.
Public sector workers and Ottawa prepare to lock horns over double-digit wage union demands
The federal government and unionized workers are preparing to lock horns over double-digit wage hikes to account for higher inflation and rules for remote work in what is shaping up to be a heated series of contract negotiations.
Public service union’s wage demands a sign of things to come, says labour expert
As the union representing tens of thousands of federal public servants prepares to hold strike votes across the country, one expert in labour negotiations says we should be prepared for more contract disputes thanks to high inflation.
Michael Wernick: Canadian parties share tension and uneasiness
A former federal bureaucrat doesn’t think Canadians have an appetite for a federal election any time soon. Michael Wernick spent 25 years working in various senior public service roles.
Improving record keeping crucial to open government, says former head of federal public service
The former head of the federal public service says neglect and underinvestment in recordkeeping is undermining the government’s “lofty language” about its commitment to open government, and making it harder to locate documents people ask for under access-to-information law.
Shifting pair bonds: Canada’s former public service chief shares his top tips for working with ministers
n his new book, Michael Wernick shares insights gathered over 13 years in the top echelons of the Canadian public service. He talks to Mia Hunt about one chapter of Governing Canada: A Guide to the Tradecraft of Politics in particular
Government 101: Adjunct Prof’s New Book A ‘How To’ For Political Leaders
When Michael Wernick retired as Clerk of the Privy Council in spring 2019 after nearly 40 years in the federal bureaucracy, including three as Canada’s top public servant, he could have written a memoir about his experiences with four prime ministers and dozens of senior politicians.
Canada’s former top bureaucrat says price of public life ‘going up’
The country’s former Clerk of the Privy Council says the last several years have shown that the price of entering into the political ring is “going up.”
Michael Wernick has some advice
Brian Mulroney was the prime minister the first time Michael Wernick sat at the back of a cabinet committee room, taking notes. One time the young civil servant found himself transcribing John Crosbie’s remarks as the powerful fisheries minister recited arguments Wernick himself had put into Crosbie’s briefing notes.
Threats against politicians ‘very frequent’, former Privy Council clerk says
Originally posted: Jul 25, 2020 Canada’s former top civil servant says Canadians would be shocked and dismayed to learn the true level of abuse and the number of violent threats politicians face during their time in office. Politicians often receive ‘vile’ messages attacking gender, religion, race, says Michael Wernick CBC News: The House47:12Pandemics, party unity…
Michael Wernick on turbulent times for Canada – and its Clerk
Ever since Michael Wernick joined the Canadian federal civil service nearly 40 years ago, the pace of life – and government – has been accelerating. “The feedback is faster; the reaction times are shorter; governments have to take decisions – politically and internally – with less time and less perfect information,” he says. “The days…
One new member, but all familiar faces, in Cabinet shuffle
Quebec has a new lineup of cabinet ministers, including one person who has yet to be elected to the National Assembly. Wednesday morning in the red room of the National Assembly, Premier Jean Charest presented his new cabinet.