Working with The Political Side of Our Democracy

One of the key relationships in Canadian governance is the one between a non-partisan professional public service and “the political side” – MPs, Senators, Parliamentary committees and for some, working closely with Ministers and their staff. Before joining uOttawa and GSPIA, Michael Wernick was an executive within the federal public service for 28 years, 17 of them at the Deputy Minister level, including three years as Clerk of the Privy Council. His 2021book “Governing Canada: a Guide to the Tradecraft of Politics” shares his accumulated advice on how to be an effective Prime Minister or Cabinet Minister. Come and join Michael for an “ask me anything” session on how public servants interact with the political side – for better and for worse.

This event is exclusively open to students of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. It will take place on Thursday 10 October at 09:30 a.m. in FSS 4004 and on Zoom.

If you wish to attend, please register with Professor Paul Robinson at: [email protected]