Auditor finds “human capital” challenge in federal public service: government managers criticize PSC as unhelpful and controliing, but Auditor General also blames managers
[Not Transcribed] In her first report as Auditor General, Shella Fraser delved into the nuts and bolts of how government is dealing with the impending human resource crisis in the federal public service. And it wasn’t a pretty picture. Auditor General Fraser found the public service is facing a significant “human capital” challenge or, as […]
Hey, isn’t nearly a decade of vilifying Brian Mulroney enough? Governing Liberals give former Tory prime minister Brian Mulroney the snub, don’t invite him to Mandela visit
In a bygone era there was an old adage in Washington that politics ends at the nation’s shore. When it comes to the treatment afforded former prime minister Brian Mulroney by Jean Chretien’s Ottawa last week, it seems time somebody in the PMO needs to be reminded of that saying. I speak, of course, about […]
Tip of hat to Western forces is really in order
WASHINGTON, D.C.–To recall Churchill’s famous observation, with the effective end of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, we have reached “the end of the beginning.” Bin Laden is almost irrelevant: he will run; he will hide; but he will die. In that regard, one might recall the fate of an iconic revolutionary figure from the last […]
Grafstein loves NYC, wants to show solidarity: the Toronto Liberal senator behind massive Dec 1 Big Apple rally [Canada Loves New York initiative]
It’s somehow appropriate Toronto Liberal Senator Jerry Grafstein’s receiving room is dominated by prints of le Petit Caporal because the political impresario has instigated a mobilization worthy of Napoleon himself. [Not Transcribed] [Not Transcribed] “It all started from an idea. The real test is if you get people who can work towards an idea,” said […]
“It was PMO Communications, Government House Leader’s Office and communications in Sol-Gen’s Office” [Leaks on C-36, the anti-terrorism bill: report]
After 472 interviews, including 11 cabinet ministers, PCO Deputy Clerk Richard Fadden’s $35,000 report doesn’t name the source of leaks on C-36, the Anti-terrorism Bill, but did say three people admitted speaking to National Post reporters Bob Fife and Luiza Chwialkowska in the few days before the article appeared. “It was PMO Communications, the communications […]
It’s foolish pack media coverage in Ontario Tory campaign race: provincial media are already treating Ernie Eves as though he’s the premier
What is often remarkable about members of the political media–and indeed, members of the general public who closely follow politics as well–is their susceptibility to failling into a pack mentality. And really, that tendency has rarely been more on display than in the Ontario Conservatives’ current race to replace Mike Harris. Once upon a time, […]
Williams warns Collenette to learn from mistakes [Parliament must track new government money for airports]
Transport Minister David Collenette should learn from his department’s past privatization mistakes as he prepares to wade back into the controversial area of privatization in the airline industry, says John Williams, chair of the House Public Accounts Committee. While some observers had expected Mr. Collenette to introduce structural changes last week regarding how airline security […]
What’s our role in war on Iraq?
My morning paper’s national edition informs that U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney allowed himself an evening’s gloat over the seizure of the Afghanistan capital of Kabul by troops currently doing our fighting over there. Cheney was speaking to some of his most intimate friends who are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. When Cheney told […]
Wanted now: expose of “what works,” a refreshing change, eh?
Does the notion of good reportage preclude any suggestion that maybe government–or any other traditional “authority”–has got something right? [Not Transcribed] Here’s a radical thought: Why don’t Canadian “investigative” television news programs try, at least occasionally, to “expose,” “uncover,”–yea, even “investigate”–that seemingly rarest of phenomena these days: namely, government initiatives that work the way they’re […]
Nav Canada responds: a good record [Letter]
I am writing to correct several factual inaccuracies with regard to Nav Canada that were reported in an article written by Bill Curry “Shepherd says Libs privatized too much,” (Nov. 19). These inaccuracies and statements addressed aviation safety, the structure and mandate of Nav Canada, a report by the Auditor General, the fees charged by […]
