Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has yet to issue mandate letters for his cabinet ministers, leaving the new appointees without clear instructions two months after the cabinet overhaul. This lack of direction can potentially compromise the government’s success, according to Senator Tony Dean, who used to oversee Ontario’s public service. Mandate letters, which lay out the priorities for each federal minister, are crucial for ensuring that everyone is on the same page and understands their deliverables.
Trudeau’s government introduced the practice of publishing mandate letters for each minister shortly after coming to office in 2015. These letters provide clarity on the government’s priorities and give public servants a sense of the timeline and scope of policies to be advanced. The last round of mandate letters was issued in December 2021, three months after the last federal election. This summer, Trudeau shuffled his cabinet, resulting in new roles or postings for 30 ministers.
Defence Minister Bill Blair has not received a new mandate letter since taking on his role on July 26. He is currently acting on the commitments outlined in the mandate letter given to his predecessor. Similarly, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen listed his priorities in an interview but did not confirm whether he had actually received a mandate letter.
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, who has held the same role since late 2021, stated that she wasn’t expecting an updated mandate letter. Acadia University political scientist Alex Marland emphasized the importance of mandate letters in clarifying the government’s agenda and providing guidance for ministers and departmental staff. Without these letters, it becomes harder for the government to advance its agendas.
Marland further explained that mandate letters help identify the government’s priorities and determine whether commitments in previous letters are ongoing, accomplished, or abandoned. They also provide ministers with clear marching orders and help hold them accountable for the results. Terry Beech, the Citizens’ Services Minister with a new role spanning multiple departments, does not have a public listing of responsibilities, which has raised concerns among political scientists.
Marland expressed his puzzlement at the delay in issuing mandate letters, especially for more complex files and ministers who are continuing in their roles. He emphasized the importance of setting out clear expectations for a successful project. The Bloc Quebecois House leader also criticized the government for its lack of vision and action in addressing issues such as inflation and housing.
The Conservative Party pointed out rising crime and high inflation as concerns, while the NDP accused the government of delayed action on these issues. Marland noted that ministers themselves have expressed their eagerness to receive their marching orders, suggesting that the Prime Minister’s Office is still determining priorities instead of leaving it to the ministers. Overall, the delay in issuing mandate letters reflects a lack of urgency and a focus on message strategy within the Trudeau government.
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