Dwight Ball’s
appointment of lawyer Bern Coffey to the position of Clerk of the Executive
Council at first seems another misstep. But it may actually be one of Ball’s
better decisions.
appointment of lawyer Bern Coffey to the position of Clerk of the Executive
Council at first seems another misstep. But it may actually be one of Ball’s
better decisions.
It is true,
as some have noted, that the appointment of a partisan to the position sets a
dangerous precedent. Presumably the province intends to stay committed to the British
model of public administration — in which partisan politics and the operation
of government remain separate. Therefore we should regard the choice of Coffey
as a “one-off” owing to his skills and history. Then, too, the Premier has
confidence in him, which is fundamental. Taken together, these are sound
reasons why Bern Coffey’s appointment will advance the public interest.
as some have noted, that the appointment of a partisan to the position sets a
dangerous precedent. Presumably the province intends to stay committed to the British
model of public administration — in which partisan politics and the operation
of government remain separate. Therefore we should regard the choice of Coffey
as a “one-off” owing to his skills and history. Then, too, the Premier has
confidence in him, which is fundamental. Taken together, these are sound
reasons why Bern Coffey’s appointment will advance the public interest.
Coffey ran
unsuccessfully as Leader of the Liberal Party. The Premier unwittingly denies he
is a political appointment — because he has professional qualifications. But this
is just another example of the Premier’s inability to use the truth to help bolster
his own case. He should not be dismissive of partisans. Without them, his
meagre 17% support would be a lot less.
unsuccessfully as Leader of the Liberal Party. The Premier unwittingly denies he
is a political appointment — because he has professional qualifications. But this
is just another example of the Premier’s inability to use the truth to help bolster
his own case. He should not be dismissive of partisans. Without them, his
meagre 17% support would be a lot less.
Nevertheless,
this is an occasion on which to cut Ball some slack.
this is an occasion on which to cut Ball some slack.
 |
| Bern Coffey |
It is no
secret that the Premier is in a heap of political trouble — and that the
province is an economic basket-case.
secret that the Premier is in a heap of political trouble — and that the
province is an economic basket-case.
Almost a
full year has been frittered away by the Liberals, who have failed to provide
decisive intervention to halt the worst effects of a series of reckless decisions
by the Tories.
full year has been frittered away by the Liberals, who have failed to provide
decisive intervention to halt the worst effects of a series of reckless decisions
by the Tories.
Another key failing
has been Ball’s inability to replace key senior public servants with those more
capable. Now attention should shift not to bureaucrats having the “right”
political pedigree but to finding talent befitting the enormity of the Government’s
challenges.
has been Ball’s inability to replace key senior public servants with those more
capable. Now attention should shift not to bureaucrats having the “right”
political pedigree but to finding talent befitting the enormity of the Government’s
challenges.
Coffey will
need to cast an eagle eye on the Department of Finance — long alienated from
the Premier’s Office — and on Natural Resources, a Department reduced to
“Cabinet courier” for Nalcor since the tenure of Danny Williams.
need to cast an eagle eye on the Department of Finance — long alienated from
the Premier’s Office — and on Natural Resources, a Department reduced to
“Cabinet courier” for Nalcor since the tenure of Danny Williams.
Then, there
is Nalcor itself.
is Nalcor itself.
The pressing
problems are well-known. One is Muskrat Falls. The other is the frightening
deficit.
problems are well-known. One is Muskrat Falls. The other is the frightening
deficit.
The urgency
of our fiscal situation does not give the public time to find
better political leadership or to define ways of strengthening our political
institutions. Coffey may well help encourage a return to a less
“leader-centric” executive branch, in which Cabinet committees play a stronger
role in public policy development — a process vastly eroded under Williams. That
should begin sooner rather than later. Still, the record suggests any progress from
this Premier will be hard won. Dithering is a tough metric on which to assess any
Government.
of our fiscal situation does not give the public time to find
better political leadership or to define ways of strengthening our political
institutions. Coffey may well help encourage a return to a less
“leader-centric” executive branch, in which Cabinet committees play a stronger
role in public policy development — a process vastly eroded under Williams. That
should begin sooner rather than later. Still, the record suggests any progress from
this Premier will be hard won. Dithering is a tough metric on which to assess any
Government.
One should
be mindful that Coffey is not the Premier’s Chief of Staff. He heads a very
senior group of public servants who should care not a whit about the political
fortunes of the Party in power. Their only concern ought to be the efficient
and capable implementation of public policies and programs. Coffey’s main role
is to help the Ball Administration define what that public policy agenda should
be, and ensure that those responsible for its implementation are effective.
be mindful that Coffey is not the Premier’s Chief of Staff. He heads a very
senior group of public servants who should care not a whit about the political
fortunes of the Party in power. Their only concern ought to be the efficient
and capable implementation of public policies and programs. Coffey’s main role
is to help the Ball Administration define what that public policy agenda should
be, and ensure that those responsible for its implementation are effective.
A capable
team leader in the Office of the Cabinet Clerk, one with the Premier’s ear, is
now inseparable from the issues which threaten our economic survival. Ball may
have discovered that this fact, together with the survival of both his
Administration and his own political career, are inextricably bound.
team leader in the Office of the Cabinet Clerk, one with the Premier’s ear, is
now inseparable from the issues which threaten our economic survival. Ball may
have discovered that this fact, together with the survival of both his
Administration and his own political career, are inextricably bound.
The problems
plaguing the Muskrat Falls project are greater than most people realize. They
are well beyond Stan Marshall’s ability to fix — too much time has gone by
without even the most basic problems having been addressed, i.e. poor project
management and low productivity. The next realistic cost plateau is $15
billion.
plaguing the Muskrat Falls project are greater than most people realize. They
are well beyond Stan Marshall’s ability to fix — too much time has gone by
without even the most basic problems having been addressed, i.e. poor project
management and low productivity. The next realistic cost plateau is $15
billion.
The decision
by the Quebec Superior Court has already given Muskrat a stillborn legacy, following
defeat of the Water Management Agreement. That outcome also hangs over
everyone’s head, including the deniers and the unsuspecting.
by the Quebec Superior Court has already given Muskrat a stillborn legacy, following
defeat of the Water Management Agreement. That outcome also hangs over
everyone’s head, including the deniers and the unsuspecting.
Where does
Bern Coffey fit into this narrative?
Bern Coffey fit into this narrative?
He has the
capacity to help the Government deal decisively with Nalcor’s monopoly over Muskrat,
in all of its sad manifestations. The secrecy surrounding the project must end.
And it’s not just Muskrat: the Government must take back control over Nalcor
before it breaks the Treasury — something that has been resisted for too long.
capacity to help the Government deal decisively with Nalcor’s monopoly over Muskrat,
in all of its sad manifestations. The secrecy surrounding the project must end.
And it’s not just Muskrat: the Government must take back control over Nalcor
before it breaks the Treasury — something that has been resisted for too long.
Bern Coffey
is smart and insightful. He is one of a small handful who, from day one, did
not drink Nalcor’s “Kool-Aid”.
is smart and insightful. He is one of a small handful who, from day one, did
not drink Nalcor’s “Kool-Aid”.
When others stayed
silent as Premier Dunderdale, coached by Nalcor, made a mockery of transparent
government and sanctioned Muskrat anyway — abusing our institutions and the
truth at every turn — Bern Coffey was one of the very few who devoted countless
hours to reviewing legal documents and transcripts (and spoke publicly against
it), as Nalcor bound the province to a destiny far worse than that represented
by the Upper Churchill Contract. Those who spoke against Muskrat, including this
blogger, were often speaking with the confidence of Coffey’s analysis.
silent as Premier Dunderdale, coached by Nalcor, made a mockery of transparent
government and sanctioned Muskrat anyway — abusing our institutions and the
truth at every turn — Bern Coffey was one of the very few who devoted countless
hours to reviewing legal documents and transcripts (and spoke publicly against
it), as Nalcor bound the province to a destiny far worse than that represented
by the Upper Churchill Contract. Those who spoke against Muskrat, including this
blogger, were often speaking with the confidence of Coffey’s analysis.
Today, for
the first time since Muskrat Falls was first mentioned by Danny Williams, there
is someone in Confederation Building who actually understands the project: the
crazy, the incorrect, and the contrived assumptions on which it is based — and
the extent to which it threatens our economy and our society.
the first time since Muskrat Falls was first mentioned by Danny Williams, there
is someone in Confederation Building who actually understands the project: the
crazy, the incorrect, and the contrived assumptions on which it is based — and
the extent to which it threatens our economy and our society.
Bern Coffey
was one of the handful of lawyers who warned the Government and Nalcor to seek
a “declaratory judgment” in the Courts on the Water Management Agreement prior
to sanctioning the project. They would not acknowledge his existence, let alone
confirm that his earnest (and correct) opinion was better than one they had purchased.
was one of the handful of lawyers who warned the Government and Nalcor to seek
a “declaratory judgment” in the Courts on the Water Management Agreement prior
to sanctioning the project. They would not acknowledge his existence, let alone
confirm that his earnest (and correct) opinion was better than one they had purchased.
Ball has
appointed one of the original “naysayers” to the Clerk’s job. Coffey is,
perhaps, less a fox in the henhouse than an eagle. He has been given a high
perch from which to assess a worrisome landscape. It will help that he has an
instinct for recognizing “bullshit” — a skill honed, perhaps, during his days
as a public prosecutor.
appointed one of the original “naysayers” to the Clerk’s job. Coffey is,
perhaps, less a fox in the henhouse than an eagle. He has been given a high
perch from which to assess a worrisome landscape. It will help that he has an
instinct for recognizing “bullshit” — a skill honed, perhaps, during his days
as a public prosecutor.
Now, when
Bern Coffey requests essential disclosures from Nalcor, VP Gil Bennett
might be less smug — and quicker to respond.
Bern Coffey requests essential disclosures from Nalcor, VP Gil Bennett
might be less smug — and quicker to respond.
There is one
uproarious irony in Coffey’s appointment. He finds himself head of the “sham”
Muskrat Falls Oversight Committee, a fraud committed on the public by former
Premier Tom Marshall and operated by compliant public servants — a role, I
might add, that has no fit within any public administration model, British or
otherwise.
uproarious irony in Coffey’s appointment. He finds himself head of the “sham”
Muskrat Falls Oversight Committee, a fraud committed on the public by former
Premier Tom Marshall and operated by compliant public servants — a role, I
might add, that has no fit within any public administration model, British or
otherwise.
Its disbanding
should be one of the easiest counsels he will have to offer the Premier.
should be one of the easiest counsels he will have to offer the Premier.
Naturally,
we will expect a lot more from him — including a rush to have Ball implement
real oversight of the project, and order Nalcor to convene an expert-panel
review of the safety of the North Spur remediation. That would be a good start.
we will expect a lot more from him — including a rush to have Ball implement
real oversight of the project, and order Nalcor to convene an expert-panel
review of the safety of the North Spur remediation. That would be a good start.
Still Coffey,
as the Clerk, can only give advice. Ball recently commented he still thinks it’s
a good project. Quite plausibly Ball doesn’t want to hear him on Muskrat or on the
deficit. He may only want a friendly ear.
as the Clerk, can only give advice. Ball recently commented he still thinks it’s
a good project. Quite plausibly Ball doesn’t want to hear him on Muskrat or on the
deficit. He may only want a friendly ear.
It’s a
stretch I know but – just possibly – the confidence Coffey inspires in the pharmacist
Premier will constitute a long-awaited “EpiPen” for the dithering that, so far
at least, has been Ball’s hallmark.
stretch I know but – just possibly – the confidence Coffey inspires in the pharmacist
Premier will constitute a long-awaited “EpiPen” for the dithering that, so far
at least, has been Ball’s hallmark.
Des you have raised our expectations that Coffee will tackle the secrecy and technical issues around MF (as well as offering stability to a weak government).
It is the sincere hope of this cynic that you are correct and that Coffee is not neutralized with this appointment.
As always it is a pleasure to read your words of wisdom Des…Muskrat falls will come and go like those other major projects we have been plagued by over the years…Loosing our fishery which is the heart beat of every Newfoundlander is far bigger then muskrat falls…come by chance…or any other fail trip down memory lane…Appointing Bern Coffey or the saviour him self wont erase the pain we are inflicted with by premiers past or present..Tomorrow I will rise from my bed smell the beautiful newfoundland air.. drive past mr balls drug store and fuel up my car on that cheap gas he gave us…. Muskrat falls is the least of my worries…
The Public again seems to be in the dark as to what is going on at Muskrat, and related "negotiations" with HQ. Can we expect a Project Update and Progress Report, (Cost-Schedule), from the Construction/Project Manager any time soon?
Des, should Ottawa take some blame for approving the loan guarantee? Obviously they had to be aware of the Water Management Agreement situation. Should that have been a red flag? A bank will not give me a mortgage to build a house if I do not have clear title on my land. Maybe that was Harper's agenda. Just a thought.
Donnie
Donnie: I am hesitant to blame any other party for the decisions taken by the Provincial Government and Nalcor to sanction Muskrat. That said, the analysis undertaken by NRCan to justify approval of the Federal Loan Guarantee was completely inadequate and did not reflect the various risks to NL of proceeding. In addition, the Feds, enabled by former Federal Minister, Peter McKay, had already given Nova Scotia de facto a veto over the Loan Guarantee allowing that province to extract from Nalcor the best possible deal. Nalcor continued to play into Nova Scotia's hands by continuing to spend large sums of money while the deal with Emera was being negotiated. You might recall that Nova Scotia's equivalent of our PUB (the UARB) refused to approve the first deal on the Maritime Link and held out for a new one on the so-called supplemental energy from Muskrat – on which Nalcor capitulated – failing in that process to put any floor on the price of the supplemental power (which is subject to prices set at the New England auction). Plus Nalcor back-stopped Nova Scotia's wind option as part of the deal for a price that is far below the cost of power from Muskrat. The smart money walks away. Nalcor walked into an awful deal with eyes wide open. It wanted to do Muskrat at any cost. On that basis, how do you blame the Feds?
More and more it matters less what the Federal Government signs these days. Paris agreement on carbon reduction/Approval yesterday to allow LNG development in BC. Maybe it is best to let the Muskrat die in favour of supporting Beothuk Energy with their co-venture to build wind farm technology in Atlantic Canada. $ for $ the best solution for Avalon electrical load. What has been done foolishly at Muskrat is over and done.