Source : Toronto Star

Provincial tactics outlined in memo; Bureaucrats would float 'trial balloons'

February 19, 2004

The provincial Liberals have launched a public relations strategy directing civil servants to float government-sanctioned "trial balloons" to reporters.

In a move that critics charge is politicizing the public service, the 15-page secret directive talks about communications "tactics" and includes a how-to manual for bureaucrats to help Liberal MPPs deliver partisan messages.

This new strategy was jointly written by the premier's office and cabinet office.

The communications directive goes into great details about the "tactical roll-out" of new government initiatives, including softening up the media and the public.

"Identify one or a series of tactics that will positively pre-condition media, the public and stakeholders in advance of the launch," the document states.

These "pre-conditioning" tactics or opportunities, it says, could include:

- Floating trial balloons in a speech.

- Story placement in the media, through proactive "pitches."

- Highlighting prospective government policies at public events or announcements.

The document also directs civil service staff to "identify" government-friendly groups likely to support a particular announcement and assist Liberal MPPs to put out news releases and write opinion pieces.

Tory MPP John Baird (Nepean-Carleton) said the deliberate attempt to get the civil service to do the government's bidding was "outrageous."

"This is a politicization of the bureaucracy that is unprecedented," he said. "I've never seen anything like this. To actually codify political tactics in a public service memo is just unprecedented. To use words like trial balloon and political tactics is outrageous.

"The public service is supposed to be neutral and non-biased. It's not supposed to be an arm of the Liberal party."

Since the Liberal government has cancelled partisan advertising, it is fixated on getting so-called "earned media" with a special emphasis speaking to reporters beyond the Queen's Park press gallery.

David Guscott, deputy minister of communications and associate secretary of cabinet, sent the communication strategy on Feb. 11.

Guscott insisted yesterday it is only a draft document, even though his own memo 10 days ago clearly stated: "Please use this template when preparing all communications plans starting today."

The final document, he said, will clearly spell out what the domain of political staff will be and what civil servants will be required to do in assisting the government in its communications strategy.

"The government has asked us to be very careful to separate the public service piece from the political side of it. I can assure you that no public servants will be doing the political side to the communications," Guscott said.

He emphasized that "trial balloons" probably won't be in the final version.

New Democrat MPP Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth) said the directive "crosses a very serious line."

"This is taking civil servants, who are suppose to be non-political and give their best judgment, and turning them into political staff," she said.

"They are asking civil servants to do their political dirty work for them."

Just click on each image and ask yourself if this is a pro-government or not-going-to-rock-the-boat type of group. If it was you who had to decide, which group would you think would offer the better chance of photo ops for Ministers, better PR and be less likely to post negative views of the Government?

By the way, we have no problem with anyone creating a website for any purpose with any view. We are only pointing out Government policy and how it is acted on.

One last way to view the two sites; again Citizens of Caledonia start voicing their views weeks before the Alliance. Below are two images. The first is the event page from the Alliance site which talks about sweet corn, video dance party and the Caledonia Fall Fair - again that is just fine.

Image below is the menu for Citizens of Caledonia site: Class Action, Ipperwash Inquiry, Lawn signs against Dalton & Gwen, Photo Gallery of the events showing burning bridge, etc.

Representatives for the Caledonia Citizens Alliance, Jason Clark, Ken Hewitt and Ralph Luimes met with Provincial Government representatives in Toronto this morning. The meeting, which focused on the ongoing land dispute at the Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia was attended by Mr. David Ramsey, the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs; Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano; and, Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal. The Alliance representatives were pleased with the outcome of the meeting which included loosening the criteria associated with the $1.5 million in business recovery funds to include compensation for core wages to effected businesses as well as an extension of the deadline by one month to August 21, 2006. “We are pleased that the meeting went so well,” said Jason Clark “And we would like to urge all local businesses to apply for the economic assistance recovery funds.”

The Alliance representatives also expressed their concern regarding the importance of dealing with any issues relating to the school that backs on the Douglas Creek occupation site to the government officials. Moving forward the Alliance will continue to ensure to the best of their ability that the interests of Caledonia are represented throughout this ongoing land dispute.

While most people in Caledonia have never received a single reply to their emails, letters or phone calls, this group is meeting three ministers. Remember, as a government you are looking for someone who will allow you to say that you are meeting with the public and also allow you to know the press releases from the group won't be negative.

So how does the Alliance describe the meeting - "We are pleased that the meeting went so well". Now within a week of this meeting we document wildfires, assaults, death threats and a SWAT team sent in to deal with torches left at hydro towers. When do you see in their press release that states anything about crime, or about restoring law & order or about OPP doing their job? In fact they are not meeting with any ministers who would have a say it these areas.

We may be wrong but I don't think the only 'interests of Caledonia' is money?

[Regarding the claims made in the leaked Liberal Plan] [Whole Tape] [Just this Question]

CH TV asked, "Ken do you feel that there might be something going on behind your back, or unbeknownst to you? There are a lot of rumors flying around Caledonia, a lot of stuff on this website that has turned out to be true. Is it possible you are out of the loop?"

Ken's answer, "It is very possible".

Now allow me to say that if the media had asked me, "Gary, is it possible that someone has mislead you or that you may have rushed it and posted it before checking the facts?"

My answer, "definitely not."

You see if you are sure of your position and if you are sure of each detail you don't agree that it is possible - even very possible - that you are may not know what is going on. If Ken Hewitt was there to say that the points on the plan are completely false then why state that it is 'very possible' things are happening without your knowledge?