Is the Premiers Office a non-partisan part of the government of BC --- or is
it an extension of the BC Liberal Party? I ask this question because it
is becoming increasing unclear what it’s exact 'political' purpose is.
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| Ken Boessenkool -- Christy Clark's new Chief of Staff |
A story
in the Globe and Mail on Friday, stated that:
…. Ms. Clark has announced that, effective Feb. 15, Ken Boessenkool will take over the job … As chief of staff, Mr. Boessenkool will lead day-to-day operations at the Premier’s Office. Mr. McDonald will become principal secretary. “Ken brings a ton of skills as a manager, and he brings a lot of skills in terms of the relationships he has right across the country, so I think his addition could make a real difference for us,” Ms. Clark said in an interview.
There is no denying that Christy Clark needs and should have someone at the top, in her
office, directing operations. But, what exactly are the operations of the
office to be? It is very vague and hard
to find out, but here is a bit of insight from an official BC Government
document.
Office of the Premier (Revised2011 / 12 Service Plan) May 2001
Purpose of the Office of the Premier … pg #5 states:
The Premier serves as the President of the Executive Council (Cabinet)
of the Government of British Columbia … the Office assists the Premier in
overseeing and leading the government as a whole
Two points under the section entitled “The Office”, again on page #5,
state:
- Articulates government’s goals, commitments and priorities and works with ministries and Crown agencies to ensure communication of those goals, commitments and priorities and to track and monitor implementation of them ….
- works directly with the federal government and with all ministries and Crown agencies to ensure that relations with federal, provincial, territorial, and international governments advance British Columbia’s interests.
In reading this, it certainly appears that the Premiers Office is an
extension of the Government of BC. Does that not mean then it should be an impartial, office??
You would think so, but in listening to
Christy Clark speak on Saturday morning (January 14) on the CBC
Radio program “The House”, with Evan
Solomon, I'm certainly left unclear.
The following is a direct quote made by Christy Clark; it began at the 20 minute and 40 second mark of the interview with Evan Soloman:
The following is a direct quote made by Christy Clark; it began at the 20 minute and 40 second mark of the interview with Evan Soloman:
“My duty is dealing with reality
– not optics – and he’s leaving that behind (private sector clients /
connections). Here’s the thing, Ken
Boessenkool brings. He brings a
commitment to getting stuff done. We have to get everyone who’s in favor of
job creation behind one party, because when we get to an election … uh …
when we the people who are in favor of economic growth and job creation split up, we end up coming to a dead
stop”
So it appears that the real purpose in Christy Clark hiring Ken
Boessenkool, in her own words, is for the partisan purpose of making the BC
Liberal government look good --- because she and the upper brass of the BC
Liberal Party now have a real fear of the BC Conservative Party.
At least in verbalizing it, in that interview with Evan Soloman, she was
being honest --- but if that’s the case, maybe we should be sending the bill for his salary
to the BC Liberal Party’s Treasurer, Mr. Jim Grant.
I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops … with the thoughts of one conservative.
4 comments:
You know she is up Sh-- Creek without a paddle when she has to resort to bringing in an Albertan to try to bail out a BC political party. British Columbian will see that for the sham it is!
As with the federal PMO, the Premier's Office is meant to be a partisan political arm, sort of like how every MLA or MP in this country has a few staff paid courtesy of taxpayers, who are certainly partial to their boss. All this except that the PMO and PO are much, much bigger.
Coordinating policy is always political and never unbiased, and the PO helps keep the line departments under the thumb of the elected government, especially decisions made by cabinet rather than a minister. However, it is always good to debate the nature of this office, whether it should be political, what size it should take, whether they are being paid too much, whether governments should just let ministers and their departments handle their business without central policy power, etc.
Thanks for taking the time to add your insight to this posting. Part of the reason for doing so was to get the input of others ... and also to see what other may think of the outright partisanship expressed by Christy Clark on the weekend.
Thanks again ... and feel free to add your comments any time.
reply to jbridge ... yes one would wonder about the inability to find someone here in BC. Reminds me of the potential candidate they have for the Chilliwack Hope riding. This is a fellow that has been in Ottawa for the past 20 years and has not lived in the riding.
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