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Sep 30, 2024 | 
policyoptions.irpp.org | Michael Wernick
(Version française disponible ici)The next federal government we elect, whenever that happens, will have its hands full as Canada struggles with a stubbornly sluggish economy while global conflicts and trade disputes draw precious time and attention. Housing, climate, immigration, reconciliation, disruptions caused by AI – the list is a long one. By 2026 Quebec separatism may return to the agenda, drawing foreign interference like a magnet.
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Jun 26, 2024 | 
policyoptions.irpp.org | Michael Wernick
The term âproductivityâ came storming back into Canadaâs political and economic discourse over the past year, generating a wave of op-ed pieces and conference panels. The best overview of this debate emerged recently from the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, which has toiled away for decades on issues of productivity and well-being. (Full disclosure: I recently joined the CSLS board).
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Apr 10, 2024 | 
canadiangovernmentexecutive.ca | Michael Wernick
Michael Wernick hold the Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management at the University of Ottawa and is also the former Clerk of the Privy Council. He is uniquely suited to comment on the role of the public service during a time of government transition. Canada does transfers of power very well, largely because the permanent public service provides stability while the political government either changes hands or, in the event of a return of the incumbent, recalibrates after an election.
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Nov 29, 2023 | 
nationalnewswatch.com | Michael Wernick
Many politicians, advocates and pundits would like to discourage growth in federal government spending. Spending restraint (slower growth) or outright austerity (cuts) are legitimate paths that political parties can propose to voters. Ultimately voters choose between parties with different views on the appropriate size and role of government in the economy and society.
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Nov 29, 2023 | 
policyoptions.irpp.org | Michael Wernick
You are welcome to republish this Policy Options article online and in print periodicals. We ask that you follow these guidelines. Please attribute the author(s) and mention that the article was originally published by Policy Options magazine. Editing the piece is not permitted, but you may publish excerpts. The pay-as-you-go proposal on cutting federal spending not as simple as advocates sayby Policy Options. Originally published on Policy Options November 29, 2023
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Sep 8, 2023 | 
policyoptions.irpp.org | Michael Wernick
The next Canadian election is drawing near, with the permanent campaign in full swing and federal spending is already on the agenda as a ballot box issue. Is it out of control? Is it fueling inflation? Is it an investment in a better future? Is it “making life more affordable?”Spending is just one tool in any federal government’s policy box. There are other ways to advance priorities. But spending is the most visible way to signal where the government’s prime concerns and values lie.
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Jul 14, 2023 | 
globalgovernmentforum.com | Michael Wernick
November in Canada is always a challenging time for keeping spirits up. The days quickly grow shorter and colder. The rites of autumn involve putting away summer things, closing up gardens, and digging out winter gear, knowing it will be a long time before warmth and greenery return. This year most Canadians felt an extra psychological blow when they saw that Donald Trump won the American election after all.
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Jul 14, 2023 | 
globalgovernmentforum.com | Michael Wernick
High summer in Canada has been unusually calm compared to the past few years. Last summer, attention was dominated by wildfires and evacuations. And before that there were the pandemic years. Yes, there are still serious fires and infections but the air of emergency has dissipated. Looking around, our politics lack the drama we have watched unfold in other countries in this year of elections.
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Jul 14, 2023 | 
globalgovernmentforum.com | Michael Wernick
By now we should have learned the limitations of making predictions about the year ahead and how it might affect the public sector. Recent years brought many surprises and disruptions, including the pandemic, war in Ukraine, the return of inflation and the diffusion of generative AI. Closer to home few would have foreseen the occupation of central Ottawa in early 2022 by anti-lockdown protestors and the subsequent invocation of the Emergencies Act.
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Jul 14, 2023 | 
globalgovernmentforum.com | Michael Wernick
The most memorable aspect of the summer of 2023 in Canada will likely be the impact of extreme weather events. Time will tell if this was an outlier or the first of many such summers as climate change continues. The images of skies turned orange from forest fire smoke, of walls of flame advancing on evacuated towns, and of flooded fields and streets may linger. My own home city of Ottawa experienced two tornado warnings, a rarity in these parts, following on two major winter storms, which are not.
