Liberal Minority Government 2025 - ???

[Czech_pivo]

Change in some of the Mandarins.

Deputy Min of Nat Def (Stefanie Beck) has left public service it seems, unsure if retirement, decision to leave on her own or a gentle nudge to the door.

Prime Minister Carney announces changes in the senior ranks of the public service

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the public service, to take effect early in the New Year:

www.pm.gc.ca

 

[Eaglelord17]

Tho is why for many economic numbers we see the notation ‘seasonally adjusted’- employments a big one for that. It’s important to know whether such seasonal trends exist when trying to assess the state of any aspect of the economy over the short term.


I’d be amazed to see disallowance used. It’s been a long, long time since was last whipped out - over 80 years. It would be a political nuke.

I would love to see it. I would also call for it to be used on every NWC law in effect, not just AB and SK. Rights are rights, setting the precedent of protecting them isn’t a bad thing.

 

[brihard]

I would love to see it. I would also call for it to be used on every NWC law in effect, not just AB and SK. Rights are rights, setting the precedent of protecting them isn’t a bad thing.

That would be quite the federal power grab at the expense of the provinces. S.33 was a compromise to bring some provinces on its with an assurance of Parliamentary sovereignty over the courts. A blanked resurrection of a disallowance power dormant for over eight decades to effectively neuter S.33 at the provincial level would be a substantial and arbitrary strike at part of our constitutional balance.

I hate S.33 but I don’t think this would be wise.

 

[Eaglelord17]

That would be quite the federal power grab at the expense of the provinces. S.33 was a compromise to bring some provinces on its with an assurance of Parliamentary sovereignty over the courts. A blanked resurrection of a disallowance power dormant for over eight decades to effectively neuter S.33 at the provincial level would be a substantial and arbitrary strike at part of our constitutional balance.

I hate S.33 but I don’t think this would be wise.

Quebec opened fire when they unilaterally amended the constitution illegally (and no one had the balls to stand up to them).

Besides this is parliamentary sovereignty, just a higher level than the Provincial. If the NWC is fair game, so is disallowance.

 

[dapaterson]

Change in some of the Mandarins.

Deputy Min of Nat Def (Stefanie Beck) has left public service it seems, unsure if retirement, decision to leave on her own or a gentle nudge to the door.

Prime Minister Carney announces changes in the senior ranks of the public service

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the public service, to take effect early in the New Year:

www.pm.gc.ca

She announced her retirement internally last Monday, apparently.

 

[Czech_pivo]

She announced her retirement internally last Monday, apparently.

Interesting because it doesn't say 'retirement' next to her name as it does for a number of the others. Oversite by the PMO?

 

[dapaterson]

Interesting because it doesn't say 'retirement' next to her name as it does for a number of the others. Oversite by the PMO?

Also possible that through the multiple levels I heard it that the message got muddled or mixed.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Interesting because it doesn't say 'retirement' next to her name as it does for a number of the others. Oversite by the PMO?

Moved on after only a year in the role, right at the start of a huge transformation?

I'm guessing she was a 'wrong fit' for the new approach, although this guy seems to think she was solid...



Her removal at such a pivotal time, when so much is going on, is strange to me. She is absolutely someone I would want on this file—someone who has several years in the establishment and a long history in the public service in files like Foreign Affairs. When speaking on things like the CPSP, the establishment of the DIA, and Army restructuring—all happening at the same time—I want someone who knows what’s happening and can get us over the finish line.

Yet, I am not a public servant. I don’t know the background or the internal politics involved—so who am I to judge? These things are complex and messy, and I don’t try to get entangled in it all. So, I shall welcome Mrs. Fox and wish her all the best in this.

Christiane Fox named new Deputy Minister of National Defence

News Release

noahscornerofrandomstuff.substack.com

 

[brihard]

Moved on after only a year in the role, right at the start of a huge transformation?

I'm guessing she was a 'wrong fit' for the new approach, although this guy seems to think she was solid...



Her removal at such a pivotal time, when so much is going on, is strange to me. She is absolutely someone I would want on this file—someone who has several years in the establishment and a long history in the public service in files like Foreign Affairs. When speaking on things like the CPSP, the establishment of the DIA, and Army restructuring—all happening at the same time—I want someone who knows what’s happening and can get us over the finish line.

Yet, I am not a public servant. I don’t know the background or the internal politics involved—so who am I to judge? These things are complex and messy, and I don’t try to get entangled in it all. So, I shall welcome Mrs. Fox and wish her all the best in this.

Christiane Fox named new Deputy Minister of National Defence

News Release

noahscornerofrandomstuff.substack.com

DMs are a weird beast. They’re the head civil servant but are an OiC appointment on advice of the PM. In the internal politics of executive government, the DM is ‘owned’ by PMO and is a PM’s back line into a department around the responsible minister. A DM can serve to counterbalance a minister who is weak, ineffective, or alternatively improperly aligned with the PM’s intent. The DM is key to getting any major initiatives done.

DND has tons going on andneeds an extremely effective DM in this day and age. I know nothing about the qualities of the outgoing one or if she was seen as such.

 

[daftandbarmy]

DMs are a weird beast. They’re the head civil servant but are an OiC appointment on advice of the PM. In the internal politics of executive government, the DM is ‘owned’ by PMO and is a PM’s back line into a department around the responsible minister. A DM can serve to counterbalance a minister who is weak, ineffective, or alternatively improperly aligned with the PM’s intent. The DM is key to getting any major initiatives done.

DND has tons going on andneeds an extremely effective DM in this day and age. I know nothing about the qualities of the outgoing one or if she was seen as such.

She has no prior connection with DND...

That's a good thing in many ways, especially if you want to be 'transformational'

 

[dapaterson]

Moved on after only a year in the role, right at the start of a huge transformation?

I'm guessing she was a 'wrong fit' for the new approach, although this guy seems to think she was solid...



Her removal at such a pivotal time, when so much is going on, is strange to me. She is absolutely someone I would want on this file—someone who has several years in the establishment and a long history in the public service in files like Foreign Affairs. When speaking on things like the CPSP, the establishment of the DIA, and Army restructuring—all happening at the same time—I want someone who knows what’s happening and can get us over the finish line.

Yet, I am not a public servant. I don’t know the background or the internal politics involved—so who am I to judge? These things are complex and messy, and I don’t try to get entangled in it all. So, I shall welcome Mrs. Fox and wish her all the best in this.

Christiane Fox named new Deputy Minister of National Defence

News Release

noahscornerofrandomstuff.substack.com

Per her bio at Deputy Minister of National Defence - Canada.ca, she joined the PS in 1990. Basic math: 2025-1990 = 35 years completed, so she has achieved the maximum pension percentage available, at a level where it's unlikely she will progress.

So 70% of her DM salary plus whatever she chooses to pick up in consulting gigs is probably a material increase in income for a material decrease in time.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

DMs are a weird beast. They’re the head civil servant but are an OiC appointment on advice of the PM. In the internal politics of executive government, the DM is ‘owned’ by PMO and is a PM’s back line into a department around the responsible minister. A DM can serve to counterbalance a minister who is weak, ineffective, or alternatively improperly aligned with the PM’s intent. The DM is key to getting any major initiatives done.

DND has tons going on andneeds an extremely effective DM in this day and age. I know nothing about the qualities of the outgoing one or if she was seen as such.

The DMs report directly to PCO rather than PMO. In other words the Clerk writes their PERs....

 

[Czech_pivo]

Moved on after only a year in the role, right at the start of a huge transformation?

I'm guessing she was a 'wrong fit' for the new approach, although this guy seems to think she was solid...



Her removal at such a pivotal time, when so much is going on, is strange to me. She is absolutely someone I would want on this file—someone who has several years in the establishment and a long history in the public service in files like Foreign Affairs. When speaking on things like the CPSP, the establishment of the DIA, and Army restructuring—all happening at the same time—I want someone who knows what’s happening and can get us over the finish line.

Yet, I am not a public servant. I don’t know the background or the internal politics involved—so who am I to judge? These things are complex and messy, and I don’t try to get entangled in it all. So, I shall welcome Mrs. Fox and wish her all the best in this.

Christiane Fox named new Deputy Minister of National Defence

News Release

noahscornerofrandomstuff.substack.com

She very well could have been cherry picked by someone in the private defense sector.

Looking at her wiki page, she's been a PS since 1990, so 35yrs in the service, pension is solid. Her capable individual by the looks of her wiki profile. BA in German and Italian which TKMS would find of interest as well as former Ambassador to Croatia.

 

[brihard]

The DMs report directly to PCO rather than PMO. In other words the Clerk writes their PERs....

Yes, in terms of strict reporting lines that’s true, they report to the PCO and particularly the Clerk. However the DMs and the Clerk are chosen by the PM for the PM’s purposes. Note for instance PMMC’s personal pick of Michael Sabia as Clerk to make sure the ship is steered the way PMMC wants and intends. All the DMs serve so long as the PM wants them to and they’re basically the only public servants who aren’t ‘safe’ when government changes. The DMs functionally run the departments, but they aren’t a pure subordinate of their ministers, and their role as a PMO back door around the responsible is pretty clear and long established. Not to say all or most are particularly noticed/noticeable by PMO- depends how political the department/agency itself happens to be. DMs of DND, Justice, finance, CDS, RCMP commissioner etc will be higher profile than their counterparts at less high profile departments and agencies.

 

[dapaterson]

She very well could have been cherry picked by someone in the private defense sector.

Looking at her wiki page, she's been a PS since 1990, so 35yrs in the service, pension is solid. Her capable individual by the looks of her wiki profile. BA in German and Italian which TKMS would find of interest as well as former Ambassador to Croatia.

Former Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, and a rep at the International Maritime Organization as well

 

[CBH99]

Yet...

Government to soon have 'sharper view' on public servants' return to office, says Carney​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/return-to-office-rules-update-carney-9.7007430

Ya know, for all the things I find extremely skeptical &

And how much of it actually isn’t?

From what I understand, they are currently using a sort of hybrid model across most of the public service (minus military, law enforcement, etc)

I believe it's 3 days in the office per week, currently? 4 days if they are an executive?



(There are a few folks here who would have a much more up to date sitrep on it than I do.)

 

[Remius]

Ya know, for all the things I find extremely skeptical &

From what I understand, they are currently using a sort of hybrid model across most of the public service (minus military, law enforcement, etc)

I believe it's 3 days in the office per week, currently? 4 days if they are an executive?



(There are a few folks here who would have a much more up to date sitrep on it than I do.)

Correct.

3 days min. 4 days for ex. But it can be more in some places.

 

[brihard]

Correct.

3 days min. 4 days for ex. But it can be more in some places.

And not all positions are able to be worked hybrid. Plenty of public servants working in customer facing roles or in particular security environments are five days a week.

 

[lenaitch]

Yes, in terms of strict reporting lines that’s true, they report to the PCO and particularly the Clerk. However the DMs and the Clerk are chosen by the PM for the PM’s purposes. Note for instance PMMC’s personal pick of Michael Sabia as Clerk to make sure the ship is steered the way PMMC wants and intends. All the DMs serve so long as the PM wants them to and they’re basically the only public servants who aren’t ‘safe’ when government changes. The DMs functionally run the departments, but they aren’t a pure subordinate of their ministers, and their role as a PMO back door around the responsible is pretty clear and long established. Not to say all or most are particularly noticed/noticeable by PMO- depends how political the department/agency itself happens to be. DMs of DND, Justice, finance, CDS, RCMP commissioner etc will be higher profile than their counterparts at less high profile departments and agencies.

It seems the line between PMO and PCO can be 'fluid'. I recall Clerk Michael Wernick coming off as more PMO-ish than PCO-ish during the SNC Lavelin/Wilson-Raybold affair.

 

[Halifax Tar]

And not all positions are able to be worked hybrid. Plenty of public servants working in customer facing roles or in particular security environments are five days a week.

Pretty hard to WFH if you're a tradie at FMF too.