Originally Posted by
northernguy
Full disclosure...I am employed by a federal government agency.
My grandfather ran the fisheries department way back "in the day". That was when the focus was on salmon...not promotions and career development.
I can tell you from first hand experience that the public service is not set up to achieve the the public's expectations or protect their interests. That's not even a consideration. The public service is it's own self serving program with the delivery of results and service to the public as a lucky by product of their "work". The Auditor General has identified this problem.
Don't expect results in fisheries from the AO (executive) level (what folks would call "managers"); these "managers" have never even walked a salmon stream in their life. They get "management" roles with DFO simply because it's a "promotion" from their position from some other, completely unrelated, government department (say..."indigenous affairs'...the logic being that First Nations folks fish...right?). Their performance pay (bonus) is based solely on their ability to manage their budgets...it doesn't even have to be effective management...just spend it and don't go over it, or under it...that's a"good" manager.
I know my grandfather is rolling in his grave when sees what has become of his beloved salmon...and his beloved "Fisheries Department" (as it was known when it was actually effective).