[Magdalen] Canada's new government

[Molly Wolf]

The senior civil servants were treated like dog poop by the unlamented Steve.  The deputy ministers (the second in command and highest civil servants in their departments) actually met earlier this year to try to resist the government's politicization of the public service.  The public service will definitely be on side with the Trudeau government, especially since the ministers actually know their issues.  

Canada used to have a superb public service. It's been worn down by years of budget cuts and right-wing contempt.  One of Trudeau's first acts was to reinstate the long form census, a critical function that Harper cut.  This bodes well and the DMs and other top wonks will be alert for more positive signals.

Molly

The man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. -- Mark Twain

> On Nov 4, 2015, at 7:22 PM, Roger Stokes <roger.stokes65 at btinternet.com> wrote:
> 
>> On 04/11/2015 23:42, Molly Wolf wrote:
>> We have a Sikh Minister of Defence with combat experience is Bosnia and Afghanistan, a female Minister of Justice who is Treaty First Nations, and another minister (can't remember her portfolio) who is a refugee.  Our Minister of Finance actually has a strong background in financial institutions.  The Cabinet, besides being 50 percent women, is visibly and strongly multicultural.
> 
> From what you say those Ministers actually know what they're going to be talking about.  They will be able toi ask their covol servants the hard questions, pointing out precisely why doing x is not a good idea and would not have the desired effect.  Maryam Monsef is the Afghani refugee, Minister of Democratic Institutions. Before she was born an uncle was abducted from his university dorm and never heard from again.  Her father was caught in cross-fire at the Iran-Afghanistan border.  Fate not known, but we can guess.
> 
> Roger