Harper government won’t confirm or deny list of ‘enemy’ bureaucrats, critics

OTTAWA – The Harper government is refusing to confirm or deny that it has compiled an “enemies list” as part of the transition for new ministers in the cabinet shuffle.

An email, dated July 4 and distributed among Ottawa media outlets, shows an official in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office asked ministerial staff across the government to draw up lists of troublesome bureaucrats and “enemy stakeholders.”

The list was to be inserted into transition briefing books prepared for new ministers as they entered cabinet or moved to different portfolios.

Carl Vallee, a spokesman for the prime minister, would not comment directly on the leaked email, which lists items that must be included in the briefing books.

Vallee says staff are “collaborating” with ministers, especially new ones, to “ensure they are fully briefed so they can continue their work on behalf of Canadian taxpayers.”

The note said to avoid bureaucrats who “can’t take no (or yes) for an answer” and advises on“who to engage or avoid: friend and enemy stakeholders.”