Feeding our soldiers: the newest stretch goal in Canadian public policy. Also: trouble for an SCC judge, old failures are new again in Toronto, and more.
Someday, when historians put some effort into sorting out the Justin Trudeau years of Government I hope that some scrutiny is placed on his human resources management skills.
In real time, his landscape is littered with appointments gone sour, with a broad canvas of human resource failures across many facets of government. There is no need to start a list here, we all have our “favourites”.
Canadians have every right to be concerned about lowering the “bar” for appointments to the Supreme Court. The rigours of the work demand that top tier legal minds in Canada be elevated to such a prestigious role. The latest appointment to the SCC deserves our respect and opportunity to grow into her role, but the lack of experience in the lower courts and judgements being overturned is a serious problem.
Take your point about Junior's 'human resources management skills'.
Historians will surely point out that in all of recorded history there has never been a greater gap between a leader's estimation of his capabilities and his true capabilities.
Let us not forget that this man, who would be manifestly incapable of managing one of those chip wagons that shows up on Parliament Hill on Canada Day, actually labours under the delusion that that he is one of a select few individuals destined to change the whole world:
“There’s a lot of lessons that we’ve learned from this pandemic that we’re going to be able to talk about all together and we’ll be open to hearing various proposals on how to make sure that growth is inclusive, that opportunities are there for everyone around the world,”
Kudos to Andrew Potter for his excellent piece this week. I was particularly struck by this line, "the idea that for all its promotion of radical pluralism, liberalism is actually hostile to true difference and diversity, of the sort that permits the flourishing of distinct communities."
It was as though he was able articulate a thought that has been bouncing around in my head for some time. When you eliminate black and white we all just become gray. If it wasn't for some level of discrimination we would all be married to the first person we ever met, right? I think we need differences in society to form communities.
Dear Jen and Matt: You are not being misanthropic when you aim your journalistic and analytical blow torches at political parties and senior bureaucrats. Your blow torches help the rest of us to see what these characters are up to (and the picture hasn't been pretty).
I am going to add to this comment that there have been many instances when Jen and Matt have been a little too circumspect - a little too careful - while calling out various transgressions by the folks running this country. While I understand the need to allow for the possibility that we may not know everything, or that there may have been a reasonable explanation or context for those transgressions, the writing here often times seems to emphasize that even when it may not be warranted. (See example in this Dispatch about the SCC judge potentially "growing into the role").
This is obviously an editorial decision. But I personally feel it is completely fine to be a little more unforgiving. As the comment above pointed out, you are not going to become misanthropic by doing so.
As I am sure y'all know ... I have been sharing and promoting "The Line" with almost everybody I know (even some progressives ones) ever since I got my complimentary coffee mug ... and even "gifted" a few subscriptions.
Rock on. Buddy's classically-erratic move will slow your growth a bit, but your progress with "The Line" is inexorable. In the end, simple merit will prevail.
As for the SCC judge when your submission as a candidate to the SCC would get a 'C' if composed by a first year law student, the prospects that you are going to metamorphize into a giant of jurisprudence have to be just about nil. We can only hope that she can at least get her head around the difference between de facto and de jure which Judge Sottomayor famously confused in a recent case.
It seems like there’s got to be more to the stunning dysfunction of the civil service. Remote work during COVID must certainly have had an impact, with a decrease in productivity and disrupted management. However, that doesn’t explain deficiencies pre-COVID.
We’ve seen evidence of terrible hires by the Trudeau government in high profile positions like the governor general, RCMP commissioner, and apparently the Supreme Court. Does this pattern extend downwards into the senior leadership of the civil service? Who are the deputy ministers, and what’s their background? What sort of turnover in senior management roles has occurred? If Trudeau and his PMO have continued their practice of hiring based on superficial notions of equity and/or political connections rather than competence, that could explain a lot of the dysfunction.
Unfortunately, this seems like it might be the sort of deep story that requires extensive (and expensive) reporting. The only organization left with that depth is the CBC, and they seem to have been infected by the same problems.
I know that cross conversations here drives The Line Comment Police crazy, but a comment about Justin Trudeau’s long list of appointment disasters:
A cynic won’t have trouble making a case that the biggest appointment disasters are by design. Poor choices lead to confusion and disruption, and in the case of the Gee-Gee resignation undermines the integrity and prestige of an important pillar of our Canadian constitutional democracy. Ministers babbling on about “convening” or refusing to take responsibility for the mass confusion in their portfolios points toward a Keystone Kops environment that takes attention away from what is REALLY going on.
If my employer wants me to work out of town, I'm given Per Diem IN ADVANCE every week until I return. It blows my mind that gov't hasn't figured out how to do the same for these CF members.
This is a true story. This story repeated thousands of times with different names and families and locations.
1945, border of Holland and Germany. A young Canadian private is killed in action. Within days his parents are located and are notified by telegram. All his possessions, including a ring, photographs, and letters were returned to the family. His pay and back pay were paid out to his mother within weeks of his death. His body was secured and buried in Germany. Within a year his body was exhumed and reburied with honour in Groesbeek Canadian Cemetery along with 2,338 other young Canadian men.
No computers. No internet. No 400,000+ member civil service. All of above carried out efficiently and expeditiously in the the middle of a violent world war.
In the current governance situation, "Lest We Forget" takes on new meaning and importance. At one time Canada was a country that could get things done. Canada was a country that stood for something. I loved that country.
Now I shake my head in disgust and frustration on a daily basis.
Thank you for differentiating between DND and the CAF. I'd be surprised if most people know the difference. I can't say that I'm surprised that this is happening, I experienced it during my time in the RCN. During the Harper era, if not before, DND began applying "Business" models to CAF operations in the name of efficiency. More of the paper work was downloaded onto the individual members, who frequently lacked the training and experience to deal with it. As a side effect of computerizing the pay systems processes became increasingly centralized, with unit level staff having less access to correct problems. At the same time the practice of providing pay and TD advances was strongly discouraged, so members had bear the up front costs.
Agree all, reflects my time also in the RCN. Only thing I would add is that it started in the early-90s under Chrétien-Martin, who sought a post-Cold War “peace dividend” in downsizing DND-CAF starting from the bottom up by getting rid of all the “tail” admin services -- without any significant benefit to the remaining fighting “tooth” units.
That is very true. I think it could argued that Canada has always neglected its defenses (or put another way, been happy to have others pay for our defenses), particularly the Navy. Julian Corbett's 1908 observation that "The Ocean is a long way from Toronto, Montreal or Quebec" still rings true. Today he would likely add Ottawa, and Calgary to the list. I don't known if you remember but we sailed together on Atha'B in 2016 when I was on CCFL Staff.
I remembered your name Greg, but honestly couldn’t place the occasion (our Navy has had its fair share of Murrays!) -- thanks for the reminder, which places it very nicely in all respects. It was a memorable deployment, not least as my last at sea with the Navy. Alas, it took a week of my life I’ll never get back having to sort out the TD (temporary duty) claim afterwards. I recall now thankfully it was the last one I had to do before retiring the year after.
Great pickup on the Corbet quote -- he made it while in Canada for the Quebec Tercentenary and it was instrumental in the establishment of the RCN (I wrote about it in the official history The Seabound Coast). Keep in touch -- I’ve just started an InstaGram account @Canadian_Naval_Memories.
No worries, I long ago figured out Murray is Scottish for "Smith". I don't doubt that it took you a week to do your claim. I watched the people I worked with spending many hours working on their claims. Sadly this is time time they where not spending working primary tasks.
I just finished the Quebec Tercentenary Chapter in Lambert's book on Corbett "The British Way of War" last week so the quote was fresh in my mind. I also order a copy of "Seabound Coast" last week. It arrives on the 11th. Reading Lambert's has me thinking that Canada would really benefit from the Equivalent of the CID, composed of members of all parties, SMEs and Military Members. With such a committee we might be able to establish long term non-partisan strategic goals.
It may be worth considering the number of federal civil servants still indulging themselves by working from home full or near full time. When one's job is boring paper pushing, it's pretty easy to be distracted and go for a walk.
If bureaucratic "productivity" has significantly dropped, we would expect to see breakdowns in various parts of the system, as resources are reallocated to keep others going out reduce backlogs.
The only solutions are to try to restore productivity, to reduce scope of what the bureaucracy does, or to go on a hiring spree.
I love the title of your dispatch. It is outrageous that the expenses of the military unit have gone unpaid for months. I used to work away from the office and submit expenses which were paid within a few days. It quickly becomes a burden on the family of the soldier if what is owed piles up.
Another thing that is 'piling up' is my concern for the Supreme Court. I found it strange that more people were not screaming about the new punishment for criminals who murder multiple people getting out after 25 years, rather than serving consecutive sentences. I bet Dellen Millard is looking forward to killing again when he is released while still relatively young. Way to go Supreme Court, nice one. The latest addition to the SCC does not sound promising.
I also wonder about the CRA. CRA can't seem to collect unjustified CERB payments. I think they only go for the 'low hanging fruit'. I don't think much collecting was going on during COVID as I heard they were sent home with no equipment to perform work for months on end. Guess how much got done.
1. based upon cumulative fall/push-on-to-tracks events since the TTC incident involving two boys, what is the risk per million riders?
2. What would it cost to station 6 safety personnel on every platform in the system 24/7 for 15 years and how does that cost compare to the cost of barrier installation?
Presumably risk and cost-benefit analyses were completed; where are they??
I am an avid Alberta separatist. Period. I have been employed or owned/operated my own business in the Energy Industry my whole life. I am 58. In a province that rewards risk takers. In an industry that rewards decisiveness and personal responsibility. Saskatchewan is much the same.
Alberta and Saskatchewan are nothing like the rest of Canada. I watch the constant ineptitude of my federal government and their vaunted civil service. In my world, few if any of those in either group would retain employment, let alone be rewarded with raises or bonus.
Polievre says Canada is broken. I take that a step further. Canada is a sadly pathetic country filled with a pathetic populace. A populace that pulls its shoulder trying to pay itself on the back for actions that are nothing short of incompetence. A pathetic country indeed.
I won’t need to pack Vic. Alberta and Saskatchewan just walks from Canada and lives happily ever after. Those that don’t want to be happy and free are welcome to head to BC (Bring Cash) or one of the other provinces that repeatedly votes for a cheating, lying, corrupt, socialist, radical, liberal government. The rest of us will be free and happy.
Dude, I grew up in the 70’s. I listened almost daily for…well, five decades while Quebec bitched it needed a better deal. All the while sponging up billions of dollars from other provinces that developed their own resources and built industries around them. Dude, Quebec still peddles separation. What’s that, 50 some years later and regularly holds the rest of Canada hostage. And I’ll tell you, while there may be almost nothing worse than an Alberta bitching, there most certainly is nothing worse than a Quebecer still bitching after 50 years. So I’ll continue to hope and work towards separation of Alberta from Canada and especially from the freeloading, constantly whining, corruption ridden, self entitled, province of Quebec.
Someday, when historians put some effort into sorting out the Justin Trudeau years of Government I hope that some scrutiny is placed on his human resources management skills.
In real time, his landscape is littered with appointments gone sour, with a broad canvas of human resource failures across many facets of government. There is no need to start a list here, we all have our “favourites”.
Canadians have every right to be concerned about lowering the “bar” for appointments to the Supreme Court. The rigours of the work demand that top tier legal minds in Canada be elevated to such a prestigious role. The latest appointment to the SCC deserves our respect and opportunity to grow into her role, but the lack of experience in the lower courts and judgements being overturned is a serious problem.
Take your point about Junior's 'human resources management skills'.
Historians will surely point out that in all of recorded history there has never been a greater gap between a leader's estimation of his capabilities and his true capabilities.
Let us not forget that this man, who would be manifestly incapable of managing one of those chip wagons that shows up on Parliament Hill on Canada Day, actually labours under the delusion that that he is one of a select few individuals destined to change the whole world:
“There’s a lot of lessons that we’ve learned from this pandemic that we’re going to be able to talk about all together and we’ll be open to hearing various proposals on how to make sure that growth is inclusive, that opportunities are there for everyone around the world,”
Note the 'we' and the phrase 'we'll be open'.
When the symbolism of a hire is more important than competence this is what you get. It's quite common to be honest.
Kudos to Andrew Potter for his excellent piece this week. I was particularly struck by this line, "the idea that for all its promotion of radical pluralism, liberalism is actually hostile to true difference and diversity, of the sort that permits the flourishing of distinct communities."
It was as though he was able articulate a thought that has been bouncing around in my head for some time. When you eliminate black and white we all just become gray. If it wasn't for some level of discrimination we would all be married to the first person we ever met, right? I think we need differences in society to form communities.
Dear Jen and Matt: You are not being misanthropic when you aim your journalistic and analytical blow torches at political parties and senior bureaucrats. Your blow torches help the rest of us to see what these characters are up to (and the picture hasn't been pretty).
Keep up the good work.
I need more of this in my life
I am going to add to this comment that there have been many instances when Jen and Matt have been a little too circumspect - a little too careful - while calling out various transgressions by the folks running this country. While I understand the need to allow for the possibility that we may not know everything, or that there may have been a reasonable explanation or context for those transgressions, the writing here often times seems to emphasize that even when it may not be warranted. (See example in this Dispatch about the SCC judge potentially "growing into the role").
This is obviously an editorial decision. But I personally feel it is completely fine to be a little more unforgiving. As the comment above pointed out, you are not going to become misanthropic by doing so.
Musk is a wily goof.
As I am sure y'all know ... I have been sharing and promoting "The Line" with almost everybody I know (even some progressives ones) ever since I got my complimentary coffee mug ... and even "gifted" a few subscriptions.
Rock on. Buddy's classically-erratic move will slow your growth a bit, but your progress with "The Line" is inexorable. In the end, simple merit will prevail.
"In the end, simple merit will prevail."
Very impressed by this piece.
As for the SCC judge when your submission as a candidate to the SCC would get a 'C' if composed by a first year law student, the prospects that you are going to metamorphize into a giant of jurisprudence have to be just about nil. We can only hope that she can at least get her head around the difference between de facto and de jure which Judge Sottomayor famously confused in a recent case.
It seems like there’s got to be more to the stunning dysfunction of the civil service. Remote work during COVID must certainly have had an impact, with a decrease in productivity and disrupted management. However, that doesn’t explain deficiencies pre-COVID.
We’ve seen evidence of terrible hires by the Trudeau government in high profile positions like the governor general, RCMP commissioner, and apparently the Supreme Court. Does this pattern extend downwards into the senior leadership of the civil service? Who are the deputy ministers, and what’s their background? What sort of turnover in senior management roles has occurred? If Trudeau and his PMO have continued their practice of hiring based on superficial notions of equity and/or political connections rather than competence, that could explain a lot of the dysfunction.
Unfortunately, this seems like it might be the sort of deep story that requires extensive (and expensive) reporting. The only organization left with that depth is the CBC, and they seem to have been infected by the same problems.
I know that cross conversations here drives The Line Comment Police crazy, but a comment about Justin Trudeau’s long list of appointment disasters:
A cynic won’t have trouble making a case that the biggest appointment disasters are by design. Poor choices lead to confusion and disruption, and in the case of the Gee-Gee resignation undermines the integrity and prestige of an important pillar of our Canadian constitutional democracy. Ministers babbling on about “convening” or refusing to take responsibility for the mass confusion in their portfolios points toward a Keystone Kops environment that takes attention away from what is REALLY going on.
If my employer wants me to work out of town, I'm given Per Diem IN ADVANCE every week until I return. It blows my mind that gov't hasn't figured out how to do the same for these CF members.
This is a true story. This story repeated thousands of times with different names and families and locations.
1945, border of Holland and Germany. A young Canadian private is killed in action. Within days his parents are located and are notified by telegram. All his possessions, including a ring, photographs, and letters were returned to the family. His pay and back pay were paid out to his mother within weeks of his death. His body was secured and buried in Germany. Within a year his body was exhumed and reburied with honour in Groesbeek Canadian Cemetery along with 2,338 other young Canadian men.
No computers. No internet. No 400,000+ member civil service. All of above carried out efficiently and expeditiously in the the middle of a violent world war.
In the current governance situation, "Lest We Forget" takes on new meaning and importance. At one time Canada was a country that could get things done. Canada was a country that stood for something. I loved that country.
Now I shake my head in disgust and frustration on a daily basis.
Wish I could double-love this one.
Thank you for differentiating between DND and the CAF. I'd be surprised if most people know the difference. I can't say that I'm surprised that this is happening, I experienced it during my time in the RCN. During the Harper era, if not before, DND began applying "Business" models to CAF operations in the name of efficiency. More of the paper work was downloaded onto the individual members, who frequently lacked the training and experience to deal with it. As a side effect of computerizing the pay systems processes became increasingly centralized, with unit level staff having less access to correct problems. At the same time the practice of providing pay and TD advances was strongly discouraged, so members had bear the up front costs.
Agree all, reflects my time also in the RCN. Only thing I would add is that it started in the early-90s under Chrétien-Martin, who sought a post-Cold War “peace dividend” in downsizing DND-CAF starting from the bottom up by getting rid of all the “tail” admin services -- without any significant benefit to the remaining fighting “tooth” units.
That is very true. I think it could argued that Canada has always neglected its defenses (or put another way, been happy to have others pay for our defenses), particularly the Navy. Julian Corbett's 1908 observation that "The Ocean is a long way from Toronto, Montreal or Quebec" still rings true. Today he would likely add Ottawa, and Calgary to the list. I don't known if you remember but we sailed together on Atha'B in 2016 when I was on CCFL Staff.
I remembered your name Greg, but honestly couldn’t place the occasion (our Navy has had its fair share of Murrays!) -- thanks for the reminder, which places it very nicely in all respects. It was a memorable deployment, not least as my last at sea with the Navy. Alas, it took a week of my life I’ll never get back having to sort out the TD (temporary duty) claim afterwards. I recall now thankfully it was the last one I had to do before retiring the year after.
Great pickup on the Corbet quote -- he made it while in Canada for the Quebec Tercentenary and it was instrumental in the establishment of the RCN (I wrote about it in the official history The Seabound Coast). Keep in touch -- I’ve just started an InstaGram account @Canadian_Naval_Memories.
No worries, I long ago figured out Murray is Scottish for "Smith". I don't doubt that it took you a week to do your claim. I watched the people I worked with spending many hours working on their claims. Sadly this is time time they where not spending working primary tasks.
I just finished the Quebec Tercentenary Chapter in Lambert's book on Corbett "The British Way of War" last week so the quote was fresh in my mind. I also order a copy of "Seabound Coast" last week. It arrives on the 11th. Reading Lambert's has me thinking that Canada would really benefit from the Equivalent of the CID, composed of members of all parties, SMEs and Military Members. With such a committee we might be able to establish long term non-partisan strategic goals.
It may be worth considering the number of federal civil servants still indulging themselves by working from home full or near full time. When one's job is boring paper pushing, it's pretty easy to be distracted and go for a walk.
If bureaucratic "productivity" has significantly dropped, we would expect to see breakdowns in various parts of the system, as resources are reallocated to keep others going out reduce backlogs.
The only solutions are to try to restore productivity, to reduce scope of what the bureaucracy does, or to go on a hiring spree.
I love the title of your dispatch. It is outrageous that the expenses of the military unit have gone unpaid for months. I used to work away from the office and submit expenses which were paid within a few days. It quickly becomes a burden on the family of the soldier if what is owed piles up.
Another thing that is 'piling up' is my concern for the Supreme Court. I found it strange that more people were not screaming about the new punishment for criminals who murder multiple people getting out after 25 years, rather than serving consecutive sentences. I bet Dellen Millard is looking forward to killing again when he is released while still relatively young. Way to go Supreme Court, nice one. The latest addition to the SCC does not sound promising.
I also wonder about the CRA. CRA can't seem to collect unjustified CERB payments. I think they only go for the 'low hanging fruit'. I don't think much collecting was going on during COVID as I heard they were sent home with no equipment to perform work for months on end. Guess how much got done.
Oh Canada:(
Two questions:
1. based upon cumulative fall/push-on-to-tracks events since the TTC incident involving two boys, what is the risk per million riders?
2. What would it cost to station 6 safety personnel on every platform in the system 24/7 for 15 years and how does that cost compare to the cost of barrier installation?
Presumably risk and cost-benefit analyses were completed; where are they??
The link that you left so that we can send The Line to friends to see if they would like to become subscribers doesn't work.
Forwarded the article to a friend.
I am hoping the line can be the new "Saturday Night". One day.
Happy Easter.
I am an avid Alberta separatist. Period. I have been employed or owned/operated my own business in the Energy Industry my whole life. I am 58. In a province that rewards risk takers. In an industry that rewards decisiveness and personal responsibility. Saskatchewan is much the same.
Alberta and Saskatchewan are nothing like the rest of Canada. I watch the constant ineptitude of my federal government and their vaunted civil service. In my world, few if any of those in either group would retain employment, let alone be rewarded with raises or bonus.
Polievre says Canada is broken. I take that a step further. Canada is a sadly pathetic country filled with a pathetic populace. A populace that pulls its shoulder trying to pay itself on the back for actions that are nothing short of incompetence. A pathetic country indeed.
I have a hard time seeing how the Alberta UCP and the NDP are any better or different than the Liberal party of Canada.
I won’t need to pack Vic. Alberta and Saskatchewan just walks from Canada and lives happily ever after. Those that don’t want to be happy and free are welcome to head to BC (Bring Cash) or one of the other provinces that repeatedly votes for a cheating, lying, corrupt, socialist, radical, liberal government. The rest of us will be free and happy.
Dude, I grew up in the 70’s. I listened almost daily for…well, five decades while Quebec bitched it needed a better deal. All the while sponging up billions of dollars from other provinces that developed their own resources and built industries around them. Dude, Quebec still peddles separation. What’s that, 50 some years later and regularly holds the rest of Canada hostage. And I’ll tell you, while there may be almost nothing worse than an Alberta bitching, there most certainly is nothing worse than a Quebecer still bitching after 50 years. So I’ll continue to hope and work towards separation of Alberta from Canada and especially from the freeloading, constantly whining, corruption ridden, self entitled, province of Quebec.