The civil service's massively big burden
Complex, high-pressure 21st century poses grim challenges, says
The COVID -19 pandemic has tested governments in Canada. Like all major crises, the pandemic exposed the weaknesses and the strengths of governments. Canadians now wonder how much they can count on their governments to deliver services effectively, reliably and responsibly.
Early in the pandemic, Canadians saw governments rush to protect individuals and businesses from financial ruin, roll out effective lockdowns and institute travel restrictions. But we also saw governments and private sector providers fail to protect the residents of seniors' homes. On balance, however, the nation had confidence in governments at all levels.
But as time passed, major cracks appeared: inconsistent COVID-19 policies across the country, serious problems with hospital management, divisive debates about vaccine mandates, government-by-fiat in lieu of normal democratic processes and the running of massive deficits, particularly by the federal government. By early 2022, with tensions exacerbated by the Freedom
Convoy, public dissatisfaction with pandemic management and frustration with government peaked.
The launching of a national child care program and a limited national dental program has raised questions about Ottawa's ability to deliver on its promises and commitments. And the Liberals continue to raise the stakes. They now want to manage Canada out of the climate crisis, largely by dismantling the oil and gas industry and undertaking a rapid transition to renewable energy.
Canada is well-served by its civil service. For decades, Canada has had one of the world's top-ranked civil services. The International Civil Service Effectiveness Index, produced by the University of Oxford, ranked Canada No. 1 in 2017 and third place in 2019. This is impressive.
Jocelyn Bourgon, former clerk of the Privy Council and founder and former head of the Canadian School of Public Service, has argued for a “new public administration” that's connected to today's digital realities and contemporary complexities, stating major adaptations are required to keep up with changing times.
According to Bourgon, the civil service does not operate in a vacuum. It manages under legislative constraints, takes direction from its political masters, respects an ever-evolving body of Canadian law, responds to massive pressure from clients and the public, deals with complicated union regulations and works under the watchful eye of a vigilant press.
Yet, in the complex and high-pressure environment of the 21st century, there are signs of serious challenges within the civil service.
Despite a two-year hiatus, the passport service is in disarray. Ottawa seems outof-step with global standards in managing international travel. Our border remains porous, with people walking across to claim refugee status. The housing situation in major cities has long been out of control.
On a broad scale, Canadian productivity lags well behind our competitors. National investments in scientific and technological innovations leak out of the country. Ottawa could not get Washington to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have proved invaluable in helping Canada meet North America and Europe's energy needs during the current crisis.
As well, Canada is leaping into the fastest and greatest expansion of the role of the state since the 1960s. These are massive tasks: managing climate change, providing for a realistic energy transition, welcoming 400,000 immigrants per year, implementing a national child care system, launching dental and pharmacare programs, and ensuring technological competitiveness. Is government up to the task?
The evidence from the past 20 years is not encouraging. Despite Canadians being generally well-served by the civil service, it does not appear fully capable of coping with the speed and intensity of today's world. And the federal government seems determined to add hundreds of billions of dollars in additional programming. It is fair to ask if the public service is truly up to the challenge.