Random Access

Regarding Bureaucrats, Steve Wahl wrote:

"Indeed even with my approach I have in a tiny percentage of my encounters with bureaucrats, been in my opinion, treated like crap. However that is the exception and not the rule so it is unfair to judge all members of all levels of the Civil Service based on a few self-serving dopes."

Just my luck. Fifty years in Mississauga and then my first incident requiring that someone at City accept Accountability and I luck out and get three back-to-back self-serving Bureaucraps.

I infer from your message that you have day-day-day interactions perhaps even with City bureaucrats. Have you ever had one admit to a mistake? Ever had one say, "Yes, I can understand your concern." --and REALLY MEAN IT?

Steve, you wrote:

"So in closing I repeat that despite the few and very real examples of bad behaviour by some bureaucrats I still find that in my day to day dealings with Civil Servants they are outstanding."

Steve, let me just get this straight. You are saying that you have day to day dealing with bureaucrats and "they are outstanding"... "outstanding"? "outstanding" --like in the vast majority... "outstanding" as in standing out and above, that kind of "outstanding"....

You're logging into RANDOM ACCESS from Alberta, aren't you?

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse

P.S. Regarding, you saying, "it is unfair to judge all members of all levels of the Civil Service based on a few self-serving dopes." My comments are not meant for all members of all levels of the Civil Service. Not even of all municipalities--just One.

And I blame the Province of Ontario.

Join the Civil Service Part II Further to the Muse’s musings about my comments

Actually I have over the years had many dealings with the Civil Service/bureaucracy and Civil Servants within all levels of Governments Federal, Provincial and Municipal-City and Region.

To begin with when I need to deal with the Civil Service I am civil. Be polite. Be clear. Be reasonable of your expectations and aware of the limits of authority of the person to whom you are speaking; work your way up to higher levels of authority as required.

Make it personal. Remember you want to and should be treated as an individual human being so it is only proper that you treat the person you are dealing with the way you like to be treated. (Remember somewhere in the Bible someone said ‘Do unto others . . . .) Give your name first and then ask them their name.

Indeed even with my approach I have in a tiny percentage of my encounters with bureaucrats, been in my opinion, treated like crap. However that is the exception and not the rule so it is unfair to judge all members of all levels of the Civil Service based on a few self-serving dopes.

Furthermore the examples given as to widespread corruption and stonewalling by the bureaucracy are the tiny percentage of incidents that I mentioned. Simply repeating and reporting the same high profile incident over and over does not mean it occurred over and over.

So in closing I repeat that despite the few and very real examples of bad behaviour by some bureaucrats I still find that in my day to day dealings with Civil Servants they are outstanding.

polaroidsofpolarbears wrote:

"Everyone knew Khan was a Conservative running with the Liberals,"

AACCCCCKKK! **BLUSH**

No, not "everyone" knew...

Everyone knew Khan was a Conservative running with the Liberals, a party I'm sure he felt had the best chance of winning (at the time)... Basically, the guy's still a car salesman at heart... It's all about his bottom line... Watch for him to cross the floor... And, ask about his record of voting on same-sex marriage... He can wear red ties all he wants, but Khan is about as blue as my nose in a February snowstorm... And why do people keep mentioning he was a former Pakistani Air Force pilot? That happened about 40 years ago... Let it go people!

Steve Wahl wrote:

"While a few examples of inappropriate behaviour have in recent years been exhibited by a tiny percentage of Canadian bureaucrats my overall impression of our Civil Servants is outstanding."

Clearly, Mr. Wahl has never tried to hold a civil servant accountable for anything. If he did, he'd find it impossible to do. We'd all be more likely to win big in the Princess Margaret Hospital Lottery than be successful in getting Accountability from a Civil Servant.

Regarding the Civil Service --particularly as it pertains to municipal services (after all isn't that what we're talking about here?)

From the most recent Canadian newspaper audit regarding Bureaucrats, "bureaucratic intransigence" and their "service" to us.

"Government secrecy is driven by two key groups. Bureaucrats, traditionally sheltered from public probing, often worry that releasing information will complicate their lives. It invites scrutiny of their competency."

Regarding elected officials, it states, "Likewise, government politicians want to hide all but the most filtered and managed information.
Consider: The first evidence of the federal sponsorship scandal resulted from the dogged application of the federal Access to Information Act by Globe and Mail reporters seeking basic information about how the federal program operated in Quebec."

In my limited experience observing Mississauga, it's clear that the bureaucrats tell the elected officials not only what to do and say --but also what NOT to say. The June 2005 "A REPORT ON A NATIONAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AUDIT" report explains why.

"There's still a very strong culture of secrecy in these organizations," says federal Information Commissioner John Reid. "They all run on the basis of loyalty and that means not rocking the boat."

Bureaucrats--The Elected. Same bleak boat...

As for Wajid Khan? This is an opportunity for us to see what he's made of. Is he a man following his Belief or is he just following the Stepping Stone? I sure hope it isn't the latter.

A Lily Tomlin quote comes to mind --"No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up."

"impossible to keep up"?! It's impossible for Government to GET me any more cynical.

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse

Join the Civil Service

While a few examples of inappropriate behaviour have in recent years been exhibited by a tiny percentage of Canadian bureaucrats my overall impression of our Civil Servants is outstanding. It is far more common for the Civil Service to go quietly without fanfare and adulation above-and-beyond their duty. That is to say they are not just doing their jobs they get the job done.

A most common reason stated by would be political candidates as to their motivation in running for Public Office is that they ‘Want to make a difference’. Floor-crossers often repeat this mantra as they side step and back step across the green carpet. Well we can all make a ‘difference’ but is change for the sake change necessarily an improvement? Is different better?

Due to the Partisan Politics of Canada’s Provincial and Federal jurisdictions it is necessary in 99% of the times to chose a team/side/political party to represent in order to have an opportunity to be voted into power by the People you are supposed to represent.

This can and often does create the uncomfortable reality of trying to serve two masters while at the same time not appear to be serving yourself. That is one of the great pitfalls of Party Politics.

There is an alternative for persons such as Wajid Khan, David Emerson, Scott Brisson, Belinda Stronach and others; and no I do not suggest running as an Independent.

I suggest to those who really want to make a difference and are uncomfortable or frustrated by party politics that you apply to and join the Civil Service. I mean this respectfully as a viable alternative to Elected Office. After all it is the Civil Servants who do the actual work of Governments and provide the continuity which is so important to the growth and stability of our Nation as Political Administrations come and go.

Could this be true? Yes Minister. It is.

As an "Economist" and Speech Writer , Harper's all thumbs and fumbled the ball. Couch Bush is training this rookie to run up the Canadian deficit , through our HRDC surplus, and going into overtime to do it.

If the SNA or CCNA awarded journalists for football analogies, Stewart would win the Heisman Trophy...
Editors must roll their eyes at John's pigskin parlance, but they seem to be powerless to block it.

As per Harper's pro-Israeli stand, I find it refreshing that a politician has lined up in a place other than the neutral zone. Too many years of (L)liberal fence-sitting have left the public shocked that a leader could actually take a quick snap rather than attempting to draw the opposition into an offside with a hard count.

While Mr. Khan may think himself as a stud running back, QB Harper may audible a flea-flicker which would relegate Khan to a blocking back. As Mr. Stewart can attest, fullbacks rarely get to carry the ball and quite often have a short career due to injuries causes by opposition chop-blocks or being run over by their own team's RB. Mr Khan's value to either team will be judged by the success of the trick play or if the team's quarterback is sacked.
Harper has cleverly placed his Middle Eastern stance out of harm's way.
I guess we'll have to leave it up to the Monday morning quarterbacks to reflect upon Mr. Khan's game plan and how it unfolds.

John Stewart

Mr Wajid Khan at one time was very active in the Mike Harris Provincial Concervative Party ????

Roy Willis

I'm skeptical of the idea that Khan is going to cross the floor. If it were not for the fact that Martin's government was short-lived Khan would still be a rookie MP and i suspect this is something that can be chalked up as a strategic political rookie mistake.

It's flattering to be asked to serve as an advisor in such an important area and Khan whose known nothing but the backbenches was aching to do something more meaty.

Granted its not good for the liberals, his colleagues will have to criticize his performance and he will be in an awkward position as an opposition MP.

But floor-crossing? I don't think he had it in mind.

Monkey in the middle? Wajid is all about Wajid. Hey, dude, you weren't elected (Mr. Parachute candidate) by the good people of Streetsville to save the world ... just to look after one little corner of it. And you can't even do that. You're off saving the planet in the Middle East and Hazel is off saving the planet in Africa ... you're both a little too big for your britches. And those aren't the jobs you are getting paid (and were elected) to do. And then there's Albina, who thinks Cooksville IS the Middle East ...

DOC