Deputy Minister Case Study

Jessica Byers
213474192
Professor Klassen
PPAS 3190
June 6, 2017
Part A:

As deputy minister of the Ministry of Social Services in Ontario I have the

responsibility to be politically sensitive as well as bureaucratically savvy to protect the
department (Klassen, Lecture 5). Upon weighing the pros and cons, I have decided to
provide the $7 million to Skills First for the purchase of the building that they
currently occupy. This decision may come off to some members of the public as
containing present bias. The minister is trying to make a good decision for the
government and the organization, however, because of the timing and the fact that Skills
First is within the ministers riding it may seem like the minister is being bias in her
decision. Making the decision to purchase the building for Skills First took four years
because the ministry was trying to stay within the existing policy. In the case of Skills
First, it is in the best interest of the ministry to grant an exception because Skills First is
an established agency that is known nationally, and because of the buildings real estate
value. Should the real estate cease to be available, the relocation costs and the adverse
impacts on the programs that are being offered may be greater than the cost to secure the
property and Skills Firsts long-term future now.
In order to provide Skills First with the $7 million to purchase the building, the
money will be proposed in the Supplementary Estimates to be approved by the
legislature. Riccardo Mussari, states that the public should know ahead of time where
their tax money is going. By proposing the money to the legislature in the Supplementary
Estimates, it allows seven weeks for the public to be aware of what their money may be
used for. This will allow the minister time to discuss the matter publicly and address her
future voters and try to eliminate any public scrutiny.
Another reason to provide Skills First with the necessary money to buy the
property and the building is immigration. Currently Skills First provides an array of
programming geared towards new immigrants to Canada. According to Ron Schmidt,
Canada is a very welcoming country for new immigrants. Programs, such as the ones
offered by Skills First, provide these individuals with the language training necessary to
secure a permanent job and future within Canada. Without providing Skills First with the
permanent residence for its programs, there will always be a risk that these programs will
be forced to close and be unable to assist new immigrants coming into Canada. This
could have long-term effects on current community residents, as well as those looking to
become future residents.
The re-election of the minister may be impacted by the decision to purchase the
building for Skills First. Individuals who use the services provided will be glad to keep
the valued organization open and that the ministry is providing stability for community
agencies. Individuals who do not use the services will think it is a waste of money. Either
of these outlooks could have an impact within and outside of the ministers riding, and
could swing the election outcome for her party. If the purchase goes over well with the
media and the public it may be helpful in securing my position as deputy minister since
my position is contingent on the minister keeping her power. However, if the decision to
purchase is viewed negatively then the minister and I may face consequences. It is my
belief that the minister and I are making a sound choice in providing Skills First with the
necessary monetary needs to secure their future. This decision will also set a new
precedent for the ministry. It will give the government and potentially others that follow
the precedent needed to provide other established community groups the monetary
support they need to function.

Part B:

As the deputy minister, I would accept the proposal from the Skills First
organization for a loan to guarantee the purchase of their current building. If the
ministry co-signs a loan, it allows the ministry to be the guarantor for the $7 million
mortgage that Skills First will operate under. This approach will cost more public money
in the long run, but may create less public scrutiny because it will deceive the public into
thinking that less tax dollars are being allocated to this cause. As the guarantor for the
mortgage, the ministry will have more control of their investment should Skills First
cease to function. The ministry will have the power to find a new tenant to occupy the
building or be able to sell it. This building and its surrounding property will be a good
investment for the ministry because of its prime Downtown Toronto location.
By agreeing to co-sign the loan I am completing the task as the minister
requested. This decision will allow for 32 full-time positions, and 15 part-time permanent
job opportunities to remain within the community, with the potential to provide more.
This decision also allows for the services offered by Skills First to remain permanently
within the community so that individuals using the services, the employees as well as the
volunteers, will not be uprooted. This decision that I am making as deputy minister may
carry some negative consequences, such as scrutiny from the public and the media.
However, I am confident that providing the well-established organization, Skills First,
with the loan is the best decision.