Elections of 2012. Management of public affairs at stake
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Following the last debate of the candidates, who were acrimonious and cacophonous, the real challenge of 2012 Quebec elections could be forgotten.
The bad governance allegations and some not very popular political ideologies that forced the early elections to take place should get us even closer to the sound management and its values necessary to guide define the concept of integrity. But the traditional antagonism federalism-sovereignty has gained once again.
The emotionalism caused by the national concern with sovereignty, separatism, nationalism, federalism, and other squabbles could make people forget about their lack of confidence in the Government and the student crisis.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!
Protecting one’s integrity is such a new concept that politicians and public decision-makers have never really paid much attention to their past actions. And, not so long ago, such actions were accepted by everybody, and just few leaders considered them dangerous. Now, they may need to pay for those actions.
An article published by Le Devoir on August 22nd, 2012 related the face-to-face election debate between Charest and Legault on the governance matter. It explained that “Mr. Legault was forced to defend his main candidate Jacques Duchesneau against the new allegations regarding the irregularities about the fundraising for his campaign when he ran for mayor of Montreal in 1998. (Mr. Duchesneau seems to have declared only $2,500 out of $50,000 raised during a fund-raising reception.) The CAQ leader counter-attacked by accusing Charest of being ‘too tolerant’ of his ministers’ lapses.” Six members of Tony Tomassi’s executive obtained the childcare permits. Michelle Courchesne was twice reprimanded by the general auditor. Nathalie Normandeau accepted show tickets as a gift from a contractor who wanted to obtain some contracts with her department.
Financing the political parties
Money is crucial to satisfy the political ambition. To convey one’s ideas is expensive. Extremely expensive, even too much for some, but let’s be realistic, the system
requires a minimum of expenses for transportation, clothes, food, and gas to travel across Québec. The journalistic neutrality will be somehow in danger when the media spend more than the political parties. The risk is to lower the standards of the debate. Quebeckers are educated people, when compared to most of the people of this planet. Issues like law, finance, and government management could be detailed rather than presented in a 90-second timed summary.
Not all politicians are like Françoise David who believes that election campaigns can be won with a few dollars, courage, and volunteer work. In fact, if she had spent even more money, she might have been heard a long time ago. It’s the paradox of democracy. Cutting funds for the campaign of the more organized political parties is a far-fetched plan.
Therefore, how can one manage the election campaigns without losing one’s integrity? The wolves are watching, the bait is tempting, and man is a wolf to man!
Management: It’s a matter of trust
To better explain this concept, the ISM suggests the following ideas:
- Trust is based on integrity, but everybody prefers the virtue
- Ethics and integrity can’t replace the Highway Code (!), so…
- Ethics and integrity have to subject to some management values and rules.
- The management best practices define the best practice of this profession.
- According to the OAAQ, the best management is based on fundamental principles that define the integrity concept.
- The Sound Management principles should become a matter of attitude and integrity
Establishing a management framework, in accordance with the Sound Management principles, to be implemented at the administrative and operational levels, as well as at the public service level is a way to protect one’s integrity. Nevertheless, there is another method…more conventional.
2012 Campaign and technocracy
The ISM and its members would have been happy to hear the politicians commit to more than just an economic framework or a poor accounting framework, be it in the North or not. We need to make proof of managerial pragmatism.
We believe that a real Sound Management framework for the Government management as well as for the public service would be an extraordinary solution.
