What troubles me here isn't each specific instance, but what appears to be a pattern. Whether it's the SNC-Lavalin affair, the current proposals on 'digital regulation, or the issues outlined here, there seems to be a pattern of recognizing:
- there is a thorny issue;
- this issue has significant political dimensions; and,
- addressing this issue properly will take time and voters will either get impatient *or* bored and move on.
In each case, instead of rolling up their sleeves and doing the long slog to address the issue with well-considered public policy, this government seems to consistently look for a short-cut, focused on making political hay while they can. It often feels like they want to be seen as "doing something" even if that something has potential negative impacts.
Unlike others, I don't believe this is some grand anti-democratic plan. I think it's just expedience and a degree of organizational laziness -- a desire to get the credit without doing the hard work. I expect better, frankly. OTOH, I'm not convinced any of the opposition parties will operate any differently, which is even more disappointing. They all need to do better.
In a previous era this kind of behaviour would have resulted in the resignation of the minister, especially on a matter as significant as the Emergencies Act. Everyone in government should be handling this file with the utmost care.
The deputy going out to back up the minister was a very political act by a senior bureaucrat. Not a good look at all but pretty typical for the modern public service.
No one resigns, no one is accountable - give it a few more news cycles and this story will disappear.
After 2+ years of "noble lies" from public health, misleading people about, eg, natural immunity and covid risk to healthy kids, being unanimously supported by the media, are we really surprised that the government and Canadians have abandoned their commitment to the truth?
What does it say about the state of the mainstream, taxpayer funded media that this kind of scrutiny of the government is never allowed on their platform?
Matt, you conclude your excellent column with, "....if you, a member of the Canadian public, don’t expect at least that much from them....."
The truth is [sorry, couldn't help myself; also, it IS TRUE], I have no expectation whatsoever of truth from this government; I expect prevarication at best and absolute dishonesty as a matter of course. Sadly, I am rarely surprised. Disappointed? Absolutely. Angered? Without question. Surprised? Nope.
To carry your comment further, that makes me a part of the problem in your view. I respectfully reject that aspect of your analysis. Your point would seem to be that if I do not demand better then I am a LARGE part of the problem. In fact, I do demand better but I am a citizen of Canada, which means that my opinions are ignored. More to the point, I am a citizen of Alberta, which means that my opinions are reviled by my worsers (definitely not my betters).
So, blame the GTA; blame Quebec; do not blame me and/or my part of the country for that twerp and his followers that you guys elected.
If I deduct a business expense on my taxes, I'm expected to have receipts to show for it. They should have a paper (ok, even an electronic) trail showing what led to the EA decision.
There's a saying "if it isn't written down it didn't happen".
This gun thing really bothers me. I am a gun owner but support controlls on assault rifles especially after the massacre in NS. But the direction of their legislation is stupid and unproductive for no logocal reason.
All great points. I think the larger problem is that we seem to have a real dearth of talent in contemporary cabinets. Minsters are expected to be meek and silent sychophants, but every once in a while some events-dear-boy pop up and the minister has to actually step forward and do their job. Some can cope with the simultaneous pressure of the spotlight and PMO expectations like Anand and Freeland (I offer no comment on results) and keep the messaging tight and some can't and it seems like Mendicino is in the latter category.
When Parliament was reduced to a Presidential Operation from the front steps of the Prime Ministers home, any pretext of being accountable went right out the window.
Complicit in this arrangement was the National Press Gallery and news editors who fawned over the cleverness of it all, how Trudeau gathered in all the media attention and left the Opposition (read Conservatives) with no airtime.
So here we are, with a Government that spends a significant amount of time bobbing, weaving and obfuscating. No one deserves a straight answer, and when things get uncomfortable there are senior ministers to take the heat, committee work to stifle and prorogation if all else fails.
The Liberal strategy isn’t to govern any more, it’s to annoy. Make us all mad at each other while the operation burns to a crisp.
We need a Conservative Party to get its act together and an election. Soon please.
What troubles me here isn't each specific instance, but what appears to be a pattern. Whether it's the SNC-Lavalin affair, the current proposals on 'digital regulation, or the issues outlined here, there seems to be a pattern of recognizing:
- there is a thorny issue;
- this issue has significant political dimensions; and,
- addressing this issue properly will take time and voters will either get impatient *or* bored and move on.
In each case, instead of rolling up their sleeves and doing the long slog to address the issue with well-considered public policy, this government seems to consistently look for a short-cut, focused on making political hay while they can. It often feels like they want to be seen as "doing something" even if that something has potential negative impacts.
Unlike others, I don't believe this is some grand anti-democratic plan. I think it's just expedience and a degree of organizational laziness -- a desire to get the credit without doing the hard work. I expect better, frankly. OTOH, I'm not convinced any of the opposition parties will operate any differently, which is even more disappointing. They all need to do better.
Well documented article Matt.
In a previous era this kind of behaviour would have resulted in the resignation of the minister, especially on a matter as significant as the Emergencies Act. Everyone in government should be handling this file with the utmost care.
The deputy going out to back up the minister was a very political act by a senior bureaucrat. Not a good look at all but pretty typical for the modern public service.
No one resigns, no one is accountable - give it a few more news cycles and this story will disappear.
Great. Now do Pablo Rodriguez.
After 2+ years of "noble lies" from public health, misleading people about, eg, natural immunity and covid risk to healthy kids, being unanimously supported by the media, are we really surprised that the government and Canadians have abandoned their commitment to the truth?
The chickens have come home to roost.
If Wedge Issues win elections what's the incentive to do anything to fix it? We need election reform.
What does it say about the state of the mainstream, taxpayer funded media that this kind of scrutiny of the government is never allowed on their platform?
Great article Matt....Mendicino must go. He has lost all credibility. Shameful if he is not moved by Trudeau.
Matt, you conclude your excellent column with, "....if you, a member of the Canadian public, don’t expect at least that much from them....."
The truth is [sorry, couldn't help myself; also, it IS TRUE], I have no expectation whatsoever of truth from this government; I expect prevarication at best and absolute dishonesty as a matter of course. Sadly, I am rarely surprised. Disappointed? Absolutely. Angered? Without question. Surprised? Nope.
To carry your comment further, that makes me a part of the problem in your view. I respectfully reject that aspect of your analysis. Your point would seem to be that if I do not demand better then I am a LARGE part of the problem. In fact, I do demand better but I am a citizen of Canada, which means that my opinions are ignored. More to the point, I am a citizen of Alberta, which means that my opinions are reviled by my worsers (definitely not my betters).
So, blame the GTA; blame Quebec; do not blame me and/or my part of the country for that twerp and his followers that you guys elected.
If I deduct a business expense on my taxes, I'm expected to have receipts to show for it. They should have a paper (ok, even an electronic) trail showing what led to the EA decision.
There's a saying "if it isn't written down it didn't happen".
This gun thing really bothers me. I am a gun owner but support controlls on assault rifles especially after the massacre in NS. But the direction of their legislation is stupid and unproductive for no logocal reason.
Good research, Mr. Gurney.
Fire the Minister!
Liberano lies!!?!?! Shock, horror, say it isn't so...
All great points. I think the larger problem is that we seem to have a real dearth of talent in contemporary cabinets. Minsters are expected to be meek and silent sychophants, but every once in a while some events-dear-boy pop up and the minister has to actually step forward and do their job. Some can cope with the simultaneous pressure of the spotlight and PMO expectations like Anand and Freeland (I offer no comment on results) and keep the messaging tight and some can't and it seems like Mendicino is in the latter category.
When Parliament was reduced to a Presidential Operation from the front steps of the Prime Ministers home, any pretext of being accountable went right out the window.
Complicit in this arrangement was the National Press Gallery and news editors who fawned over the cleverness of it all, how Trudeau gathered in all the media attention and left the Opposition (read Conservatives) with no airtime.
So here we are, with a Government that spends a significant amount of time bobbing, weaving and obfuscating. No one deserves a straight answer, and when things get uncomfortable there are senior ministers to take the heat, committee work to stifle and prorogation if all else fails.
The Liberal strategy isn’t to govern any more, it’s to annoy. Make us all mad at each other while the operation burns to a crisp.
We need a Conservative Party to get its act together and an election. Soon please.
I keep getting sparks of joy for money well spent on my subscription. Well done Matt.