Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 01

January/February 2018 // Canadian Government Executive / 9 The Interview Canada’s Clerk of the Privy Council, and Secretary of the Cabinet By George Ross Michael Wernick An Interview with T oday we’re joined by Mi- chael Wernick, Canada’s Clerk of the Privy Council, and Secretary of the Cabi- net. Mr. Wernick assumed the role of Clerk in January of 2015. His public service career began in 1981, and he has held a number of senior positions in the federal government, including Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, a role he held for over eight years. Mr. Wernick recently sat down with George Ross, Editor in Chief of CGE, to reflect back on the 2017 year and to talk about the challenges ahead for Canada’s public services. Q: Let’s begin today by look- ing back a little bit at the 2017 year. I think it’s fair to say it’s been a interesting year for the public services across Canada. Our federal system continues to be ranked internationally as one of the highest performing public services. That’s a very positive thing for the country and there is a great deal to celebrate. How- ever, all public services are under continual pressure to innovate, deliver results and to evolve along with the society we serve. So when think about 2017, what stands out for you? Sure, well let me take the question in parts, if I can. I think 2017 will be remem- bered as the Canada 150 year, and it cre- ated a natural frame to do some reflect- ing on where we’ve come from over the last 150 years, where we are, and where we’re headed in the future. It’s 150 years of the country, 150 years of the Canadian state as we know it, 150 years of the pub- lic service, indeed, 150 years of the Privy Council Office. So there’s been a lot of opportunity to think about where we are and where we’re going. As you said, there are a lot of reasons to be pleased about where public sector institutions are across the country, and the federal public service in particu- lar. By a number of rankings, we come out very close to the top, whether it’s the international civil service index, the world bank governance indicators, global government forum, or the world economic forum. We have a very strong public service. I think one of the reasons for that is probably tied to our Westminster gov- ernment software. You’ll notice that four of the top five in one of the public service rankings are Westminster systems. So there must be some correlation in terms of the continuity of a non-partisan public service. It doesn’t change radically with a change of government at the top.