Canadian Government Executive - Volume 26 - Issue 04

20 / Canadian Government Executive // September/October 2020 COVID-19 government and Canadians. At the same time, we have also observed differing levels of success across governments and governmental organizations in terms of their messaging. However, if the past few months offer a unique opportunity to examine the role of government com- munications in order to determine what made the difference in terms of success- ful government communications, it is while these lessons are still fresh that we need to begin collecting this information. Taking a ‘change historian’ perspec- tive, now is the time to launch a study of a number of ministries and agencies in order to document how they met the challenge of the pandemic. Keeping in mind that the pandemic is likely to be the central focus of governments for the near future, the focus and goal of such a study would be to draw lessons learned and best practices to be shared for adoption now and as part of a process of ‘transfor- mation by design’. The study could con- sider a number of factors that influenced the shape of government communica- tions during the pandemic, starting with the role to be played by ministers and officials to support the communication of important information and key mes- saging. Other aspects of the study could focus on governance of communications and the degree of preparedness required to meet a similar challenge in the future, leadership, governance and risk toler- ance in the name of public information. Lasting change or temporary adaptation COVID-19 has effectively transformed almost every aspect of our lives both professional and personal, with a return to a pre-COVID normality unlikely and several of them possibly permanent. As we observed, communications is one of the functions of government to have ex- perienced pandemic-wrought adaptation and change. To government communicators steeped in the minister-centric approach to ap- proach, the sudden centrality of officials in delivering the message may be the most lasting impact of a pandemic on the plan- ning and delivery of government com- munications in the future - if not on all issues, certainly on some. However, these changes in the focal point of government communications possibly belie more sig- nificant changes that have contributed to the success or lack thereof of government communications during the pandemic. Thus, while government communications can already adapt and change their ap- proach to their role and function, based on anecdote and observation of efforts deemed successful, a more carefully craft- ed study of what worked and what didn’t, will be necessary in order to prepare for the next crisis. Elizabeth Seymour is a communica- tions consultant and former head of the federal Communications Community Office. Michael A. O’Neill is an adjunct lecturer instructor at the University of Ottawa where he teaches and con- ducts research on public administra- tion and higher education and skills development policy. He is a former government communicator and policy analyst. To government communicators steeped in the minis- ter-centric approach to approach, the sudden centrality of officials in delivering the mes- sage may be the most lasting impact of a pandemic on the plan- ning and delivery of government commu- nications in the future - if not on all issues, certainly on some. Doctor Tam shows Prime Minister Trudeau around the Public Health Agency of Canada offices in Ottawa.