NEWSLETTER
Donate
Donate

Canada’s Government Administration is Broken

  Watch a short summary Canada had one of the world’s most efficient and stable administrations. Career bureaucrats understood their roles and were dedicated and professional in their approach. They […]
Published on February 5, 2025
Dorothy Dobbie
Blueprint | Core Public Sector Reform | Public Sector | Role of Government

 

Watch a short summary

Canada had one of the world’s most efficient and stable administrations. Career bureaucrats understood their roles and were dedicated and professional in their approach. They got their policy direction from their political masters and worked earnestly to find the best way to deliver good results. They took pride in doing their very best for their country, and this prompted excellence in their work.

Career public servants still exist. Their authority and opportunities for advancement have been increasingly usurped by the insertion of active and retiring political staffers, union rules that demand service to longevity in office over excellence, and identity politics, which imposes hiring quotas. The result is a top-heavy and unwieldy management system that does not work.

Download the report in PDF. (12 pages)

Read the press release.

Share | Email | Print

Featured News

MORE NEWS

Canadian Cities See Modest Gains in Financial Transparency, But Regional Gaps Persist

Canadian Cities See Modest Gains in Financial Transparency, But Regional Gaps Persist

Jun 5, 2025

Winnipeg, MB – June 5, 2025 – The Frontier Centre for Public Policy has released the eighth edition of its Local Government Performance Index (LGPI), authored by Research Fellow Lee Harding. The report evaluates the transparency and quality of financial reporting among 99 of Canada’s largest municipalities based on 2023 data, highlighting continued progress in public accountability but significant discrepancies across regions.

The Transparency Index (TI) component of the LGPI scores cities out of a possible 33 points, assessing how accessible and comprehensive their financial statements are. Criteria include audit timeliness, commentary on expenditures, historical data, capital asset reporting, and adherence to best accounting practices.

The Crown’s ‘Invisible Power’ Threatens Canada’s Democratic Protections

The Crown’s ‘Invisible Power’ Threatens Canada’s Democratic Protections

Jun 3, 2025

John von Heyking unpacks the not-so-symbolic power of the Crown in Canada, challenging claims that it can foster civic virtue. Behind the pomp lies a stealthy authority capable of proroguing Parliament, appointing unelected PMs, and signing off on billions with only limited oversight. If we’re serious about transparency and accountability, von Heyking argues, we need to stop romanticizing royal abstractions and start scrutinizing the flesh-and-blood power players behind them.

Canada Needs A Watchdog Like DOGE

Canada Needs A Watchdog Like DOGE

May 25, 2025

Government waste is out of control—and no one’s watching. In the U.S., a new agency called DOGE has already saved taxpayers billions by cutting fraud and bloated programs. In Canada? Silence. No oversight. No urgency. Lee Harding argues it’s time for Ottawa to wake up, clean house, and create a watchdog with real teeth. If you care where your tax dollars go, you’ll want to read this.