Messages
February 26, 2008 | 09:11 AM
Kim Trynacity
I was whipping up a batch of strawberry muffins (recipe to follow), when I received a disturbing call from the Aman Gill campaign.
I was told the large campaign sign outside her office was defaced with a racial slur. Sign mischief is a common occurrence of campaigns, but not like this. The message to Gill was intended as a put-down, not a harmless prank.
Messaging is to a campaign, what water is to tea — too much or not enough can spoil the whole experience.
I guess that's why it vital that government PR be almost completely silent so as not to topple the apple cart so to speak.
Tonight on Edmonton's CBC News at Six on CBC-TV, I'm going to report on a climate change study the department of environment has been sitting on since 2006.
In the meantime, I'm passing along another internal government memo reminding staff to keep quiet during as election. I thought muzzles were for rabid animals.
From: Rick Semel
Sent: Fri 2/22/2008 3:03 PM
To: _CS-CFSA Region 6 Staff
Subject: CEO Message February 22NEWS
Greetings to all Region 6 Staff …
I trust you enjoyed your Family Day break and have been able to get outside to enjoy the relatively warmer weather!Election Update
Regional office has answered a number of questions from staff regarding limitations on business activities during the election, and whether that limitation period expires on March 3, Election Day in Alberta. We will have more clarity around the specific time period once the election has been held and the date for the swearing-in of the new Cabinet announced.In the meantime, requests for proposals, public consultations and most advertising have been suspended. If you have been asked to do a presentation to community groups or stakeholders, please confirm the content with Heather Massel or Roxanne Dubé Coelho in Regional Communications before your presentation. This is also a good opportunity to remind all staff that if you receive an inquiry from media looking to do a story either during this time period or afterward, please notify Regional Communications.
I guess there's a message not only for staff but also the public.
Comments: (4)
Simon has got this one right - it is intended to ensure that the integrity of both the political process and the civil service are maintained. A communications freeze on announcements and most public activities of officials has been a standard practice in democracies - including Alberta - for generations.
Posted March 1, 2008 03:10 PM
Considering the ramifications contingent upon bringing major issue to public attention on March 3rd - as it relates to cabinet construction - surely demonstrates the lack of government transparency.
Posted February 26, 2008 08:41 PM
I agree with you Simon in principal however surely this should not have to extend to suspending presentations to community groups!
Following the same logic perhaps we should stop water testing in the event a positive e coli result comes up in a community water supply. I suppose that discovery would be considered partisan and unprofessional during an election as well.
What I read in this memo is confusion on what should be clear rules for all to follow. Not surprising from a Government that is used to secrecy.
Posted February 26, 2008 05:03 PM
Don't you think it's entirely appropriate for the government to be suspending advertising campaigns and public consultations and having civil service staff keep quite during an election? I don't really think of this as a muzzle; it's frankly quite professional. Without these kinds of instructions to keep quiet during an election campaign, inevitably the government will be accused of interfering in the process. I think it's probably unfair to hit the government with this.
Posted February 26, 2008 01:54 PM