All posts by Michael Wernick

About Michael Wernick

Michael Wernick’s distinguished 38-year career as one of the key leaders of Canada’s world-class federal public service culminated in serving from 2016 to 2019 as the 23rd clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to Cabinet. With 28 years as an executive in the federal public service, including 17 years in the community of deputy ministers, and three as clerk, Wernick is one of Canada’s most experienced and influential public sector leaders. He appeared frequently at parliamentary committees, participated in dozens of intergovernmental and international meetings, and spoke at many conferences. Wernick worked closely with three prime ministers and seven ministers and attended close to 300 meetings of Cabinet and its committees. He was the key public servant at the Privy Council Office during three changes of prime minister. In October 2021, UBC Press released Wernick’s book Governing Canada: A Guide to the Tradecraft of Politics and Wernick undertook an extensive series of media interviews, podcasts and webinars to discuss this well-received practical handbook for Canada’s political leaders and those who aspire to understand them. As a senior strategic advisor to MNP Inc and the Jarislowsky Chair at University of Ottawa, Wernick now provides advisory services and mentorship to emerging leaders and to new generations of students.

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  Letter from Ottawa: Political uncertainty subsides, but new forms take its place

  Canada’s general election has led to a refreshed Cabinet under prime minister Mark Carney. But, Michael Wernick says, the minority government still faces many uncertainties Since my last dispatch, much

  • Posted June 3, 2025
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  Letter from Ottawa: The starting gun goes off for an unusual election in Canada

  The past month has been one of those occasions when events move quickly. In Canada those who follow government and politics now have clarity on some things and profound uncertainty

  • Posted March 27, 2025
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  Letter from Ottawa: Navigating through a year of uncertainty

  With a change of prime minister imminent and a new president over the border, the Canadian public service faces a year of change – at a time when the government

  • Posted January 20, 2025
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  Letter from Ottawa: Foreboding descends on Canada’s capital

  November in Canada is always a challenging time for keeping spirits up. The days quickly grow shorter and colder. The rites of autumn involve putting away summer things, closing up

  • Posted November 15, 2024
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  Letter from Ottawa: Time approaching for a deep pruning of the federal state in Canada?

  GGF’s Management and Workforce Monitor newsletter is taking a break in August, but here we share insight from Michael Wernick, the former clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to

  • Posted July 29, 2024
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  Letter from Ottawa: a new year begins quietly, but much lies ahead

  2024 has begun relatively quietly in Canada but the ripples of the past couple of years are still being felt. It will be a year for public servants to put

  • Posted January 10, 2024
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  Letter from Ottawa: diagnosing the elements of Tired Government Syndrome

  Parliament has returned in Canada for what’s likely a final session before the election. If history is any guide, the government will find it hard to make progress before the

  • Posted September 18, 2023
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  Letter from Ottawa: transitions and reboots for the public service

  A new clerk takes the top job at a period of unusual attention and angst in the Canadian government. Political tumult is ever-present, even two years from an election, and

  • Posted June 12, 2023
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  Letter from Ottawa: Strikes and other storm clouds are on the horizon for Canada’s public service

  From possible strike action by public servants to renewed discussion about the size of the state, the Canadian government is facing a number of questions this spring, says Michael Wernick

  • Posted April 17, 2023
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  Letter from Ottawa: an exhausting year shows the limits of foresight and the comfort of hindsight

  Accountability in government is important – but hindsight must be used to help build resilience and capacity in the public sector, not make politicians and public servants even more risk

  • Posted December 13, 2022
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