Global Affairs Canada officials, reporting to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, want employees to use a new “dissent line.” (DND photo)
By Tim Ryan
Global Affairs Canada has brought in a new “dissent channel” which allows its employees to criticize the trajectory of Canada’s external relations, the Hill Times reports in its Aug. 13, 2025 issue.
Except….the criticism provided can’t “undermine leadership”…..and it has to be sent from an active departmental email, reports Neil Moss of the Hill Times citing records obtained about the initiative using the Access to Information law.
So to summarize this initiative - criticize the policies the top bosses hold dear to their hearts but don’t undermine them….and of course identify yourself (unless you can sneak in another office and use a colleague’s email). Don’t worry, you won’t face any retribution, or so department leaders claim.
It should be fascinating to see how many federal public servents line up to submit criticisms in this potentially career-ending process. Or whether the “dissent” touches on significant topics.
Oh…and the other interesting part of this system is that its management that gets to decide which “dissent” will be accepted to be examined.
Employees at GAC should consult with their fellow bureaucrats at the Department of National Defence to see how this is going to roll out. That department is infamous for harassing/punishing/tormenting those with views that don’t correspond to management’s talking points.
