Mark Carney’s to-do list is short, but steep

Emerging from his cabinet’s first “planning forum,” Mark Carney addressed reporters on Tuesday evening to discuss the new government’s mandate. Carney emphasized that each minister had been given a single mandate letter, outlining the core priorities of Canada’s new government. This unified mission reflects the mandate given to them by the Canadian people.

The practice of issuing mandate letters to cabinet ministers is not new, but it gained public attention when Justin Trudeau decided to make the letters public in 2015. This move towards transparency and accountability was seen as a positive step in government communication.

Trudeau’s mandate letters were detailed, with lengthy preambles outlining the government’s principles and specific tasks for each minister. These tasks were drawn from the Liberal party’s campaign platform, totaling 289 initiatives for ministers to complete. The government even created a “mandate letter tracker” to monitor progress.

In contrast, Carney’s mandate letter focuses on seven priorities for the new government. These priorities include renegotiating Canada’s relationship with the United States, removing interprovincial trade barriers, and making housing more affordable. By setting broad priorities instead of a checklist of tasks, Carney allows ministers more flexibility to devise their own initiatives.

The challenges laid out in Carney’s mandate letter are ambitious, aiming to build the strongest economy in the G7 and address key issues like housing affordability and military modernization. While the timeline for these goals may be tight, Carney is determined to show progress in the next few years.

By emphasizing results over checkboxes, Carney hopes to establish a focus on the actual impact of the government’s actions. This shift in focus could address criticisms of the Trudeau government’s inability to deliver on its commitments.

In conclusion, while mandate letters serve as a roadmap for government priorities, true governance goes beyond checking boxes. Carney’s approach of setting broad priorities allows for a more flexible and results-driven government. As the new government embarks on its mandate, the challenges ahead will test their ability to deliver on their promises and make a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadians.