What LinkedIn should learn from the Girl Guides – FT.com
2013/08/19 Leave a comment
Fair comment by Lucy Kellaway on aspects of endorsements on LinkedIn (and I am somewhat guilty here!).
Why Canada still needs a census in the age of data mining – Canada – CBC News
2013/08/15 Leave a comment
More on the ongoing controversy over cancellation of the mandatory census – more costly to taxpayers for less reliable and complete information, one of the more irresponsible decisions of the government. Sound and reliable knowledge and information is the basis for informed decision-making in all areas, whether economic, social, environmental, the public and private sectors.
A case where ideology trumped common sense, with a long-term impact.
Why Canada still needs a census in the age of data mining – Canada – CBC News.
Column: What’s the evidence for evidence-based policy?
2013/08/14 Leave a comment
William Watson raises some valid and important points about evidence-based policy and the limits. While some data and evidence is largely neutral and firm (e.g., Census data) other evidence can be subject to confirmation and other biases, in addition to the limits of our understanding of the complexity of society and behaviour. Evidence is still better than anecdote, but it limits also need to be understood. #W2P #GOC
Pico Iyer on Citizenship, Identity, Movement and Place
2013/08/13 Leave a comment
A very good, reflective TED talk, by Pico Ayer (thanks to The Franco-American Flophouse), on where one comes from and our increasingly fluid identities. For the many of us who draw our identity from a variety of different places, cultures and experiences, it captures how our notion of time and space has changed, and how we have to build our own sense of who we are, and the stillness to appreciate it.
A contrast to the citizenship ‘boxes’ that governments, for understandable reasons, have to put us into.
Statement — Ministers Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander issue statement recognizing Eid al-Fitr
2013/08/08 Leave a comment
How the respective Ministerial roles between Minister Kenney and Alexander are shaping up – both Ministers have their names on statements and releases.
Statement — Ministers Jason Kenney and Chris Alexander issue statement recognizing Eid al-Fitr.
John Baird’s defence of gay rights ‘offensive,’ women’s group says | Toronto Star
2013/08/08 Leave a comment
Further confirmation of just how mainstream and accepted gay rights have become in Canada and how the Conservative Party is part of that mainstream.
John Baird’s defence of gay rights ‘offensive,’ women’s group says | Toronto Star.
Monarchy’s role in government: Most Canadians want fixes, but how? – The Globe and Mail
2013/08/08 Leave a comment
Good discussion of some of the issues around the monarchy and suggestions for more written clarity regarding the power of the prime minister in relation to the legislature. Other governments have done so without undermining the role of the monarchy; and the article also lists a number of other options that could go further.
Not likely to happen given any debate would be divisive but good to have a range of options laid out and discussed.
Monarchy’s role in government: Most Canadians want fixes, but how? – The Globe and Mail.
An independent Canada
2013/08/07 Leave a comment
Good piece by Robert Sibley on the history and the people that shaped Canada’s becoming independent in the 20s and 30s. And a strong comment on how much the role of the public service may have changed since then.
That’s the kind of visionary counsel — backbone stiffening, if you will — Canadians could once expect from their public servants. You have to wonder, given the current dysfunctional relationship between the government and the public service, if those days are long past, and, if so, how that might affect the country’s future.
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Abuse of language that keeps going forward – FT.com
2013/08/05 Leave a comment
Priceless quote from Sir Bob Kerslake, head of the British Public Service, and even better reality check from Lucy Kellaway:
“Having benefited from investment in my personal development over the years, I am passionately committed to the Civil Service being a learning organisation.” The civil service might be a learning organisation (whatever that is). But learning how not to talk flatulently about passionate commitment is going to be very hard indeed.
Liste d’«ennemis» – Ottawa doit changer de ton, disent les organismes visés | Le Devoir
2013/08/03 Leave a comment
Not much that is really new on the ‘enemies list’, but a helpful reminder that it has consequences in terms of government funding.
Liste d’«ennemis» – Ottawa doit changer de ton, disent les organismes visés | Le Devoir.
Multiculturalism in Canada: Evidence and Anecdote
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Multicultural Meanderings 