Thank you Paul. I keep trying to tell myself that it’s my age that’s making me think that nothing is working the way it actually should--that it’s become not much more than a gigantic shell game. But it’s not entirely my age it’s difficult to be optimistic, but a Merry Christmas anyway. Enjoy some cosy time with the people you care about. And let’s hope for a more sane world in the coming year.
One of the main themes your year's roundup is the wee shelf life of attention given to some fairly serious gaffes. But certainly journalists and their bosses share some of the responsibility for letting things go and moving on to the next thing. For example, for my money, one of your best articles of the year was your line of questioning about the post-COVID reviewer that Health Canada (or was it PHAC?), had either hired, or hadn't, and the hilarious stalling and non-answers from the department's Comms folks. Not that I'm a glutton for punishment, but I do like a good laugh...so might a follow-up be in order, boss? Maybe just a PS?
Hi Mary, many thanks for your comment. I spent about 15 years in fed Comms: DFO, TC, Transport, HC, Defence, (retired from DFO 2 years ago), so we both understand the hand-wringing that likely occurred at senior levels at HC regarding Mr. Wells's inquiry. In the end, their responses were unintentionally laughable, but also fairly tragic...particularly for a government that regularly cites its pledge to openness with the public and the media. I also note that in some areas, on the other hand, some DMs and ADMs are indeed speaking frankly to the media, and this is refreshing. Wishing for more of that in the new year.
I might note that the outrage machine and the focus on the message is a response to the market for same. I think if the public writ large would cease to react to every twist and turn in what passes for public administration as a 'blunder never before witnessed' or a 'display of incompetence that beggars belief' or 'everyone who isn't me is an idiot' and on and on it goes, we all might be better off. Dialogue and communication is a two way street and we are very much living in an age of individual echo chambers.
I am unclear as to how to get out of this mess. Step one might be an effort by politicos on all sides behaving somewhat more reasonably and reflectively. Actually honestly answering questions for example, would be a good thing...if even if the answer is 'don't know', 'will have to get some more information' or 'am uncertain what's best here'. Obviously foolish.
Thank you Paul for your 2023 precis confirming what I (and possibly many others) have come to believe: that we do not have serious governance in Canada and this is leading us towards our not being considered as a serious country. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Paul, you have delivered my Seasonal Chuckle, and I thank you. But it converts to a Seasonal Lament for the great unwashed of Canada, those who blithely carry on living without an understanding of how the idiots in our federal government are pushing this country into the global realm of the goof and the clown; Alas and Alack, can the next election come soon enough? Yay, though I walk through the valley of death, I have no alternative!
A good read as always Paul. I do think the carbon tax walk back in heating oil could still have some long-term consequences as it may have turned a sword issue into a shield one for the government, but then again maybe not! A separate issue and one unlikely to dominate the campaign, Bill S-210 - a legislative attempt to protect minors from pornography- passed through the House to Committee. Many think the Bill is too overreaching, and it very well may, but I was struck by the Bill’s sponsor admitting she wasn’t sure how to verify the ages of those trying to access such sites, but figured the Committee could brainstorm some ideas. But your piece made me think of S-210 and how frivolously and mindlessly it was sent off and that figuring out how or whether the core tenet of the Bill was even plausible could be punted off somewhere else. I guess the whole thing sounded good in theory and that was enough.
I'm loving all of your articles and have to tell you that it is inexplicable to myself that based on your recommendation my Christmas present to me was HOW NOT TO BE A POLITICIAN -- I am on page 352 of Rory Stewart's memoir and absolutely hooked. While at first it was just so frustrating and crushing -- and mind-boggling-- to think of the lack of governance going on and the lack of discourse, and know that our system is taking a page from Britain. But it's more the car wreck you can't take your eyes off of. Rory Stewart's descriptions are brilliant. Thank you for drawing this to my attention!
A year of nothing much accomplished at the federal government level. But that should not surprise. The Trudeau government sees the announcement as the product.
And 2024 will bring us a sham public inquiry into Chinese interference in elections. The conservatives who were most affected have been told they must stand down and cannot ask any questions. Rigged by Trudeau again. Cancel the thing. Great Read Paul. Merry Christmas.
Great reflection on the political happenings in 2023, going nowhere fast.
Your reflection on the impact of us living in "the most communications-obsessed time" resonated with me, in particular. Sure, our politicians who are in perpetual campaign mode are communications-obsessed, resulting in presentation over substance taking the stage; however, most concerning to me is that across all segments of society the honoured attribute of humility has taken a backseat to self-promotion and today's communications tools has provided the means. As we become more egocentric, the more we become disconnected from our community, the community we rely on for our survival, and perhaps it would be fair to say in this case we are moving too fast. Sigh.
Over the year, Paul, you have provided us with lots of meat with the potatoes, and I say thanks, and Merry Christmas!
A good comment for the end of a terrible year in a country that has become a joke and a parliament full of mediocre unserious people. Our media is not much better. Best to simply pay no attention to any of it and hope for the best.
Am I projecting my gratitude to the NDP for child-care and dental-care (neither of which benefit me personally, I just prefer to live in a country which has them) onto the party when I note that they just stuck to those demands until Trudeau badly needed their support, and Got Something Done?
One might hope the NDP would be somewhat insulated from the back-biting (and apple-biting) performative politics, because they never have power or even the prospect of any (save this unusual situation). About all they are allowed to contribute is staying doggedly on demands about social services and corporate regulation.
Or, perhaps I'm projecting from my admiration for the BC NDP, who, flush with cash, have made deal after deal with unions, trying to get health care boosted; with teachers, and a shotgun blast of efforts to cheapen housing. It looks like results so far.
Thank you Paul. I keep trying to tell myself that it’s my age that’s making me think that nothing is working the way it actually should--that it’s become not much more than a gigantic shell game. But it’s not entirely my age it’s difficult to be optimistic, but a Merry Christmas anyway. Enjoy some cosy time with the people you care about. And let’s hope for a more sane world in the coming year.
One of the main themes your year's roundup is the wee shelf life of attention given to some fairly serious gaffes. But certainly journalists and their bosses share some of the responsibility for letting things go and moving on to the next thing. For example, for my money, one of your best articles of the year was your line of questioning about the post-COVID reviewer that Health Canada (or was it PHAC?), had either hired, or hadn't, and the hilarious stalling and non-answers from the department's Comms folks. Not that I'm a glutton for punishment, but I do like a good laugh...so might a follow-up be in order, boss? Maybe just a PS?
Liking this, as a former director of comms at both PHAC and HC.
Hi Mary, many thanks for your comment. I spent about 15 years in fed Comms: DFO, TC, Transport, HC, Defence, (retired from DFO 2 years ago), so we both understand the hand-wringing that likely occurred at senior levels at HC regarding Mr. Wells's inquiry. In the end, their responses were unintentionally laughable, but also fairly tragic...particularly for a government that regularly cites its pledge to openness with the public and the media. I also note that in some areas, on the other hand, some DMs and ADMs are indeed speaking frankly to the media, and this is refreshing. Wishing for more of that in the new year.
Good article.
I might note that the outrage machine and the focus on the message is a response to the market for same. I think if the public writ large would cease to react to every twist and turn in what passes for public administration as a 'blunder never before witnessed' or a 'display of incompetence that beggars belief' or 'everyone who isn't me is an idiot' and on and on it goes, we all might be better off. Dialogue and communication is a two way street and we are very much living in an age of individual echo chambers.
I am unclear as to how to get out of this mess. Step one might be an effort by politicos on all sides behaving somewhat more reasonably and reflectively. Actually honestly answering questions for example, would be a good thing...if even if the answer is 'don't know', 'will have to get some more information' or 'am uncertain what's best here'. Obviously foolish.
Thank you Paul for your 2023 precis confirming what I (and possibly many others) have come to believe: that we do not have serious governance in Canada and this is leading us towards our not being considered as a serious country. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Paul, you have delivered my Seasonal Chuckle, and I thank you. But it converts to a Seasonal Lament for the great unwashed of Canada, those who blithely carry on living without an understanding of how the idiots in our federal government are pushing this country into the global realm of the goof and the clown; Alas and Alack, can the next election come soon enough? Yay, though I walk through the valley of death, I have no alternative!
A good read as always Paul. I do think the carbon tax walk back in heating oil could still have some long-term consequences as it may have turned a sword issue into a shield one for the government, but then again maybe not! A separate issue and one unlikely to dominate the campaign, Bill S-210 - a legislative attempt to protect minors from pornography- passed through the House to Committee. Many think the Bill is too overreaching, and it very well may, but I was struck by the Bill’s sponsor admitting she wasn’t sure how to verify the ages of those trying to access such sites, but figured the Committee could brainstorm some ideas. But your piece made me think of S-210 and how frivolously and mindlessly it was sent off and that figuring out how or whether the core tenet of the Bill was even plausible could be punted off somewhere else. I guess the whole thing sounded good in theory and that was enough.
Excellent, clever and hilarious annual account of affairs Ottawa.
I'm loving all of your articles and have to tell you that it is inexplicable to myself that based on your recommendation my Christmas present to me was HOW NOT TO BE A POLITICIAN -- I am on page 352 of Rory Stewart's memoir and absolutely hooked. While at first it was just so frustrating and crushing -- and mind-boggling-- to think of the lack of governance going on and the lack of discourse, and know that our system is taking a page from Britain. But it's more the car wreck you can't take your eyes off of. Rory Stewart's descriptions are brilliant. Thank you for drawing this to my attention!
A year of nothing much accomplished at the federal government level. But that should not surprise. The Trudeau government sees the announcement as the product.
1.6 million migrants arrived in Canada in 2023. That's an irreversible major change. The flashing lights are just a distraction.
And 2024 will bring us a sham public inquiry into Chinese interference in elections. The conservatives who were most affected have been told they must stand down and cannot ask any questions. Rigged by Trudeau again. Cancel the thing. Great Read Paul. Merry Christmas.
Great reflection on the political happenings in 2023, going nowhere fast.
Your reflection on the impact of us living in "the most communications-obsessed time" resonated with me, in particular. Sure, our politicians who are in perpetual campaign mode are communications-obsessed, resulting in presentation over substance taking the stage; however, most concerning to me is that across all segments of society the honoured attribute of humility has taken a backseat to self-promotion and today's communications tools has provided the means. As we become more egocentric, the more we become disconnected from our community, the community we rely on for our survival, and perhaps it would be fair to say in this case we are moving too fast. Sigh.
Over the year, Paul, you have provided us with lots of meat with the potatoes, and I say thanks, and Merry Christmas!
A good comment for the end of a terrible year in a country that has become a joke and a parliament full of mediocre unserious people. Our media is not much better. Best to simply pay no attention to any of it and hope for the best.
Great summary of 2023.
To all Merry Christmas and all the best in 2024.
And a Merry Christmas to you as well, and a broadly supported presence on Substack in the New Year.
Am I projecting my gratitude to the NDP for child-care and dental-care (neither of which benefit me personally, I just prefer to live in a country which has them) onto the party when I note that they just stuck to those demands until Trudeau badly needed their support, and Got Something Done?
One might hope the NDP would be somewhat insulated from the back-biting (and apple-biting) performative politics, because they never have power or even the prospect of any (save this unusual situation). About all they are allowed to contribute is staying doggedly on demands about social services and corporate regulation.
Or, perhaps I'm projecting from my admiration for the BC NDP, who, flush with cash, have made deal after deal with unions, trying to get health care boosted; with teachers, and a shotgun blast of efforts to cheapen housing. It looks like results so far.