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Comments for
When are we going to learn? Another expensive boondoggle from Ontario's Premier
My experience working in just about every federal government department and agency at one time or another (as a consultant, my other life) tells me that most officials aren't dumb; it's just that the systems and processes that run these agencies are set up to perpetuate and benefit themselves, not the public that is paying for it all.
There is no real penalty for major mistakes, and there are no incentives to improve operations and save money. In fact the budget system in place is set up to MAKE SURE every department spends the most money possible; if you don't spend all your budget this year, you may be 'cut back' next year.
I am considered an expert in Performance Measurement, (I have led dozens of successful Performance Measurement projects, I have taught Public Sector Change Management at the MBA level, and I wrote a book on the topic) and I can tell you that real results are NOT measured by ANY department.
If departments were held accountable for actual accomplishments - i.e. things that improve conditions for Canadians - they would be almost completely unable to prove a benefit they provided.
Sadly, the only crime in the Public Service is embarrassing the Minister; THAT will get you canned, especially if you are a 'whistle-blower' exposing yet another example of incompetence or greed.
So this disconnect from real-world consequences is what makes these officials dangerous; they're not dumb, they're just playing by different rules.
Jan 24, 2010 Rating
It's a broken system by: Anonymous
I work in government in the health care sector. I watch daily as moronic decisions are made and money is wasted as if it grew on trees (ie. E-Health) I am far down the food chain and merely a grunt (an underpaid grunt who has been told for 5 years there is not money for raises!) and I am sick of watching things go into the crapper.
I find it crazy how things are run and if we ran our lives or companies like that we wouldn't survive. I could rant on and on but let's face it a prerequisite for a government official is stupidity and lack of common sense.
