Balancing loyalty with speaking truth to power A view of the Canadian flag, in Halifax, NS. I recently read an article by Policy Options on how “Speaking truth to power [is] discouraged in public service”. As public servants, stemming from the Public Service Values and Ethics Code, we have an solemn obligation to provide “fearless advice, and loyal implementation”, and a duty of loyalty to our Government.

The DIB and its modernization The defence industrial base (or DIB, for short) in the United States is well documented and well defended. Down south, the National Security Agency (NSA) has discussed openly on modernizing the DIB to defend against cyber threats, through their Cybersecurity Collaboration Center. The National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Speaker Series raises awareness on emerging cyber issues. An example of this sector modernization has involved moving toward a zero-trust architecture and mindset.

An armchair analysis from the ground Taken at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, NS. Photo by Ashar Ahmed. It’s no secret that Canada’s public sector needs youthful renewal. The average age of a Canadian public servant was last measured in 2020 at 43.9 years, an increase over time (according to TBS), while the average age of a Canadian resident in 2021 was 41.7 years (according to StatCan). This is a problem you’re probably aware of if you’re at all involved in the work supporting developmental programs, co-ops, or internships.

Taken at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, NS. Photo by Ashar Ahmed. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve all witnessed the shift in work, and the slow but apparent decentralization of workplaces as remote work catches on. As a passionate university student and a citizen interested in the role of technology within government and governance, I think a lot about how changes to the way we work impacts public trust in our institutions.

Recently, I posted on Twitter about my issues as a candidate in the Public Service staffing process, due to changes in the classification standard from CS to IT. The changes included a new educational standard that requires “graduation” rather than “completion of two years”: Bit annoyed on the new educational standards for IT - as an existing term employee that has 2yrs completed (but not graduated) - I'm stuck in a limbo when it comes to indeterminate!