Tag: Public Administration
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Lessons from Cain and Kirner: Today’s Problems Echo a Storied Past
Introduction: Looking Back to Move Forward The recent release of cabinet documents from the era of John Cain and Joan Kirner invites a familiar reflection: today’s policymakers face many of the same dilemmas that confronted governments decades ago. It’s tempting to look for a fresh crisis in current events, but history often operates on patterns.…
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Federal Public Servants Brace for Job Cuts in the New Year
Overview: A Quiet Start to a Potential Wave of Reductions As federal employees prepare to return from holiday breaks, many are bracing for announcements about workforce reductions. The coming year is expected to bring job cuts in several departments, with agencies like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Employment and…
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Pests in Ottawa’s federal buildings rise as back-to-office plans progress
Overview: Pest incidents shadow Ottawa’s back-to-office push As Ottawa prepares to bring public servants back to federal workplaces, a recurring and unsettling issue has emerged: hundreds of pest sightings across federal buildings in the region. Insect intrusions, bats, rodents, and other vermin have been reported more than 500 times this year, according to authorities familiar…
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Carney Unveils Deputy Minister Shuffle to Fast-Track Economic Growth and Defence Priorities
New leadership in core ministries signals a strategic reset Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a high-profile reshuffle of deputy ministers, aiming to inject fresh energy into the government’s most urgent policy priorities. The move places new leaders at the helm of the economy and national defence, underscoring the administration’s focus on sustained growth, resilience…
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BNN IN FOCUS: The Latvian Government’s Reset — What Went Wrong and Why
Overview: Latvia’s Reset and the Promise to Cut Red Tape In Latvia, 2024 was billed as the year to finally curb bureaucratic hurdles that frustrate residents, businesses, and public servants alike. The government launched a series of task forces and policy initiatives aimed at “resetting” how public administration interacts with citizens. The intent was simple:…
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BNN IN FOCUS | Tried to win favour, but failed: what went wrong with the Latvian Government’s “reset”
Introduction: The promise of a bureaucratic reset In late 2024, Latvia’s government embraced a bold pledge: to reset the relationship between citizens and bureaucracy. Task forces, digitization drives, and streamlined procedures were touted as the cure for years of frustrating red tape. The public, weary of endless forms and opaque decisions, hoped the reset would…
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BNN in Focus: Where Latvia’s Bureaucracy Reset Fell Short and Why
Introduction: The promise of a lighter touch for bureaucracy In the closing year of a challenging political cycle, Latvia’s government pitched a bold aim: slash red tape and make public administration more efficient. The idea was simple in theory—morale and productivity would rise if bureaucrats shed unnecessary procedures, and citizens would feel the benefits in…
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Botswana: Gaolathe Commends Parliament Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Staff at Christmas Gathering
Overview of the commendation In a display of appreciation and national service, Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe commended the staff of the Parliament of Botswana and Ntlo Ya Dikgosi for their selflessness and unwavering commitment to serving the nation. The remarks came during a Christmas party held to celebrate the season and recognize the hard work…
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Federal Chaos and Job Losses: A Look at Dismissals Under the Trump Administration
Unpredictable Turnover at the Federal Level The Trump years were marked by a sharp shift in how federal agencies were staffed and managed. More than just policy changes, the period witnessed notable volatility in personnel, with reports of increased firing rates, rapid leadership turnover, and a sense of instability that rippled through the bureaucracy. For…
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Spokespersons urged to focus on institutions, not people
Context: a call for institutional emphasis In Dar es Salaam, a clear directive was issued to government spokespersons urging them to foreground the work of their institutions rather than the prominence of individual leaders. The message, delivered by Chief Secretary Dr Moses Kusiluka, was framed as a strategic shift in how government communications should be…