New rules, more ads, coming for government appointments

OTTAWA – The Liberal government says it is working on a new hiring process, promising to advertise job openings that traditionally have been seen as patronage appointments and to ensure that candidates reflect diversity.

The government says the new approach will be open, transparent and merit-based.

Hundreds of positions on commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies and tribunals are filled through what are called orders in council, that is by cabinet decision.

In the past, many were patronage jobs filled by government cronies, political donors and party activists.

Now, the Liberals say they will advertise the openings on a special appointments website, the website of the agency involved and, in some cases, through print or broadcast media.

Candidates will be able to apply online, will be vetted openly for their credentials and qualifications and diversity will be encouraged.

Until the system is fully in place, appointments or re-appointments will only be made in jobs deemed essential to government operations or which deliver important services to the public and most of these will only be effective for a year or less.

Transparency was a watchword for the Liberals during the last election campaign and they promised an end to the traditional patronage process.

“We are committed to raising the bar on openness and transparency in government to make sure that it remains focused on serving Canadians as effectively and efficiently as possible,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement Thursday.

“Government must serve the public interest, and remain accountable to Canadians.”

The new system of ads and open applications won’t cover all appointments. In some cases, laws prescribes specific processes for an appointment, for example a requirement to be a sitting judge or to be recommended by a third party such as a provincial government or a First Nation government.

Nor will it cover the appointment of judges, ambassadors or deputy ministers.