Draft Memorandum to Cabinet

Author: Douglas G. Hartie
Publication Date: 1978, 2004

This case takes readers inside the senior public service for a rather candid look at the relationship between Cabinet Ministers and their senior public officials. Without much in the way of consultation with colleagues or her Department, the Minister makes a public commitment during a speech. The commitment will cost vast amounts of money which neither the Department nor the Government have available. Our hero mustquickly prepare a Memorandum to Cabinet in an effort to quell expectations about the Minister actually delivering on her commitment. The Case, innarrative form, tells the story of what happened and it explores inconsiderable detail the relationships between senior public servants. The Caseopens the door to numerous possibilities for class discussion. It has been verypopular with students in courses in both Public Administration and Canadian Government and Politics and Canadian Politics courses in general.
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