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Articles by Michael Kaczorowski
Opinion: Nova Scotia government’s overreach is troubling
The government’s heavy-handedness and message control became too much for some. Such was the case when former justice minister Becky Druhan quit the PC caucus to sit as an Independent. Her decision was based at least in part on the efforts of the premier’s staff to muzzle her. A Feb. 26 news report suggested the government was preparing to put forward a motion to allow unelected staffers to answer questions in the legislature in place of cabinet ministers.
Kaczorowski: Public service reform starts with a full royal commission
Skip to Content Advertisement 1 Donald J. Savoie is right to suggest a full public airing. Meanwhile politicians should follow the example of Brian Mulroney in dealing with the public service. • • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content It should surprise no one that senior federal officials were primarily concerned with public perception when determining back to the office requirements for public servants.
Kaczorowski: Why I said goodbye to Ottawa after more than 3 decades
It is the coarsening of our political life generally, and in Ottawa specifically, that ultimately decided matters for me. • • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content I first came to Ottawa in the summer of 1983 as a student employee in the federal government. Given my political science background, being in the nation’s capital was both exciting and a deeply personal experience.
Kaczorowski: New directive on public service return-to-office is haphazard and will satisfy no one
Instead of outlining a reasoned, coordinated and thoughtful approach, the government has again reverted to the public policy equivalent of throwing something against the wall and hoping it will stick. • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content The federal government’s latest effort to bring public servants back into the office has all the hallmarks of its previous attempts: ad hoc, reactive and leaving many questions unanswered.
New directive on public service return-to-office is haphazard and will satisfy no one
Instead of outlining a reasoned, coordinated and thoughtful approach, the government has again reverted to the public policy equivalent of throwing something against the wall and hoping it will stick. President of the Treasury Board Anita Anand. Public servants have been told they'll need to be back at the office three days a week in the fall.
Kaczorowski: Reforming Canada's public service can't be done superficially
Advertisement 1 Nothing less than a full royal commission is needed, not the quick exercise Clerk of the Privy Council John Hannaford has undertaken. • • Article content In September, Clerk of the Privy Council John Hannaford announced the creation of a five-member task force of deputy ministers to lead a “broad conversation” on the values and ethics of the federal public service. A “milestone” report is expected by year’s end.
Opinion: Hybrid sittings of Canada's House of Commons a terrible idea
Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One of the benefits of in-person sittings is that MPs get to know each other as people. Yes, they debate, but they also learn about each other’s priorities and concerns. Article content Just prior to the parliamentary summer recess, the Liberal government pushed through amendments to the Standing Orders that will make hybrid sittings of the House of Commons a permanent feature of future proceedings.
Kaczorowski: Hybrid sittings of Canada's House of Commons are a very bad idea
Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One of the benefits of in-person sittings is that MPs get to know each other as people. Yes, they debate, but they also learn about each other’s priorities and concerns. Article content Just prior to the parliamentary summer recess, the Liberal government pushed through amendments to the Standing Orders that will make hybrid sittings of the House of Commons a permanent feature of future proceedings.
After years of neglect, we’ve lost a key element of federal-provincial negotiation
The age old question of “Whither Canada?” seems particularly apt at a time when tensions between the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial administrations appear at such a low point, made worse by an undercurrent of personal animosity. The situation cries out not only for genuine leadership but a re-examination of the machinery of intergovernmental relations.
After years of neglect, we’ve lost a key element of federal-provincial negotiation
The age old question of “Whither Canada?” seems particularly apt at a time when tensions between the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial administrations appear at such a low point, made worse by an undercurrent of personal animosity. The situation cries out not only for genuine leadership but a re-examination of the machinery of intergovernmental relations.
Parties should rethink how they choose leaders
Subscribe Home Page News Opinion Foreign Policy Politics Policy Legislation Lobbying Hill Life & People Hill Climbers Heard On The Hill Calendar Election 2021 Archives Classifieds Hill Times Events Inside Ottawa Directory Hill Times Store Hill Times Careers The Wire Report The Lobby Monitor Parliament Now Reuse & Permissions Advertising FAQ Contact UsLog In parties-should-rethink-how-they-choose-leadersAno The approach now employed by both the Liberal and Conservative parties allows virtually...
False populism and the Conservative leadership vote
By Michael Kaczorowski — National Newswatch — Aug 20 2022 The federal Conservative party will choose a new leader in a matter of weeks. The ballots have already gone out to thousands of party members, and responses must be received by September 6, 2022. The results of the vote will be announced on September 10, 2022. This method is presented as a more “democratic” way to choose a leader, since it provides the opportunity for anyone taking out a membership to vote.
Kaczorowski: Real public service reform requires an independent examination. It can't be left to government 'insiders'
Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If the public service of today cannot fulfil basic responsibilities, such as issuing passports and handling border controls efficiently, then public confidence is lost. Article content The following is offered in response to “Undelivered Promises,” by former clerk of the Privy Council Kevin Lynch, published July 19: Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Kaczorowski: The dark side of populism is at work in the truck protest Original
I fear that for far too many of those occupying the streets of downtown Ottawa, it was never about vaccines. Protesters take in the atmosphere as they dance on the corner of Sussex Drive and Rideau Street on Feb. 5. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis /Getty Images Article content What happens when the rules and accepted norms of a democratic society are threatened by those who violently reject the safeguards of order and stability?
Kaczorowski: The dark side of populism is at work in the truck protest
Opinion: What allegedly began as a protest against cross-border vaccination requirements quickly descended into a shrill and incoherent exercise in public disorder. Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski Protesters take in the atmosphere as they dance on the corner of Sussex Drive and Rideau Street on Feb. 5.
Kaczorowski: The dark side of populism is at work in the truck protest
I fear that for far too many of those occupying the streets of downtown Ottawa, it was never about vaccines. Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski Protesters take in the atmosphere as they dance on the corner of Sussex Drive and Rideau Street on Feb. 5. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis /Getty Images Article content What happens when the rules and accepted norms of a democratic society are threatened by those who violently reject the safeguards of order and stability?
Kaczorowski: The dark side of populism is at work in the truck protest
I fear that for far too many of those occupying the streets of downtown Ottawa, it was never about vaccines. Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski Protesters take in the atmosphere as they dance on the corner of Sussex Drive and Rideau Street on Feb. 5. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis /Getty Images Article content What happens when the rules and accepted norms of a democratic society are threatened by those who violently reject the safeguards of order and stability?
Kaczorowski: Concept of 'responsible government' is ebbing in Canada
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As a recent example involving the Public Health Agency of Canada shows, public servants are being used as scapegoats more and more. Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski President of the Public Health Agency of Canada Iain Stewart approaches the Bar in the House of Commons to be admonished by the Speaker on Monday, June 21.
Kaczorowski: Treating history as something disposable is wrong
Even in democracies, thoughtful debate and perspective can become casualties in a time of judgment, writes Michael Kaczorowski. Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski The statue of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, is shrouded at City Park in Kingston on Friday, June 11. Photo by Ian MacAlpine /The Whig-Standard Article content Perhaps the first real history books I ever read in high school were historian Donald Creighton’s two-volume biography of Sir John A.
Kaczorowski: Treating history as something disposable is wrong
Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski Publishing date: Jun 18, 2021 • 17 hours ago • 3 minute read • 7 Comments The statue of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, is shrouded at City Park in Kingston on Friday, June 11. Photo by Ian MacAlpine /The Whig-Standard Article content Perhaps the first real history books I ever read in high school were historian Donald Creighton’s two-volume biography of Sir John A. Macdonald — The Young Politician, The Old Chieftain.
Kaczorowski: Four months later, where is the new Governor General?
After a five-week sitting, Parliament is on a “break week” leading into the Victoria Day long weekend. The break will be followed by the last push by members of the House of Commons before the traditional summer recess. Speculation is rampant about the possibility of an election, either in late summer or the fall. Yet before the 43rd Parliament is dissolved, one vital element remains absent: We still do not have a Governor General.
Kaczorowski: Trudeau budget just plays to the choir on public service renewal
Nurturing a culture of excellence does not appear to be treated as important; indeed, it is never mentioned in 700+ pages. Author of the article: Michael Kaczorowski Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland gives a thumbs up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the federal budget is presented Monday. Vague talk in the budget about a more diversified public service was so general as to be meaningless.
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