Challenges and Comparisons in Public Administration

Donald Savoie is back on the Insight's podcast talking about his new book Speaking Truth to Canadians about their Public Service.  This is a sobering reflection on the state of the federal civil service in Canada written by someone who has spent his career studying government in Canada.  The number of the federal civil servants has grown substantially in recent years while Canadians' satisfaction with public services has gone down.  Forty years ago, around 25% of the workforce was located in Ottawa and now it is closer to 50%.   Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to the challenge, but this book represents a good starting point diagnosing the main issues and detailing how previous governments tried to increase the effectiveness of the civil service.  It is vitally important for Canada to have an effective public service with a motivated and engaged workforce.  This conversation is well worth an hour of your time.