BC NDP Government Quietly Eliminates Independent Watchdog on Civil Service Appointments
In a move that has raised concerns about transparency and accountability, the BC NDP government has quietly abolished the office of the merit commissioner, an independent officer of the legislature responsible for vetting hirings, promotions, and firings in the public service to ensure they are free from political favoritism.
Stealth Legislation Introduced Without Public Announcement
Finance Minister Brenda Bailey introduced the enabling legislation in the legislature near the end of Tuesday's sitting without explicitly mentioning that it would eliminate an independent officer of the legislature. The news was first disclosed to public servants in a memo from Shannon Salter, deputy minister to Premier David Eby, as part of budget change announcements.
"As part of an efficiency review process, government has introduced legislation to amend the Public Service Act so that the responsibilities of the office of the merit commissioner would return to the public service agency," Salter wrote in the communication to government employees.
Finance Minister Defends Decision as Cost-Saving Measure
Bailey confirmed the elimination during a radio interview on Wednesday morning, defending the move as part of an efficiency drive. "This office costs us $2.2 million a year and has eight full-time staff," the finance minister stated, adding that the government had determined the office was no longer necessary.
While acknowledging that the merit commissioner's office "did a good job," Bailey claimed that recent commission reports showed "they are not finding areas to correct." She argued that the merit principle was now being applied internally by the public service agency and had become part of government culture over time.
Historical Context of the Merit Commissioner's Office
The office of the merit commissioner was originally established by the Gordon Campbell BC Liberal government in 2001 amid concerns that the previous NDP government had frequently filled public service positions with NDP-linked appointees from BC and other Canadian provinces.
In 2005, the Liberals further strengthened the position by establishing the merit commissioner as an independent officer of the legislature, placing it on par with other key oversight positions including:
- The auditor-general
- The ombudsperson
- The conflict of interest commissioner
A recent job posting for the position described the merit commissioner as "a non-partisan, independent officer of the Legislature responsible for monitoring the application of the merit principle to provincial public service appointments by conducting audits of appointments and reporting results." The position also monitored government practices, policies, and standards related to eligible dismissals.
Concerns About Precedent and Accountability
The quiet manner in which the office was abolished has raised questions about government transparency. Bailey insisted that "I don't see it as a precedent," arguing instead that the merit commission had served its purpose and that government could now take over the job of vetting itself.
However, critics point out that eliminating an independent watchdog responsible for ensuring appointments are free from political favoritism represents a significant shift in how government accountability is maintained. The move comes at a time when public trust in government institutions remains a critical concern for many British Columbians.
Salter claimed in her memo that "The commitment to the merit principle remains unchanged," but the elimination of independent oversight raises questions about how this commitment will be verified and enforced moving forward.
