ONE of the hallmarks of the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper, Canada’s prime minister, has been its ultra-tight control of communications.
A central group in the Privy Council Office, the department that supports the prime minister and cabinet, vets most speeches, news releases and responses to media queries, and provides talking points to help ministers and bureaucrats toe the party line. They are usually offered a simple choice: Sing from the same songbook or shut up.
From the government’s point of view this approach has worked splendidly, with politicians and officials delivering a uniform message. Journalists are less happy, however, and complain about receiving responses long after deadlines have passed—if their inquiries are answered at all.
An even more disgruntled group is scientists working for the state, who say their ability to explain their research and findings to the people who pay for it—the Canadian public—has been severely restricted.
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