OTTAWA – The federal government has officially opened its search for a new parliamentary budget officer – and this time they’d like someone “tactful and discreet” who’s good at “achieving consensus” among groups with competing objectives.
The job posting appears to signal that the Harper government, which created the budgetary watchdog five years ago, is looking for a tamer successor to the blunt-spoken and fearless Kevin Page, whose term ends this month.
Page has taken the government to Federal Court in an effort to clarify his mandate after being stonewalled on his requests for basic departmental financial information relating to last year’s budget cuts.
He has been a frequent thorn in the side of the Conservatives, providing analytical reports on everything from the cost of the Afghan military mission to shipbuilding and fighter jet procurement programs and Ottawa’s fiscal framework.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has taken to launching personal attacks on Page – at one point calling his work “unbelievable, unreliable, incredible” – and the Conservatives have repeatedly stressed they’re seeking a non-partisan successor in the office.
The job description posted today by the Library of Parliament says the winning applicant must “possess the ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships and facilitate information-sharing and meaningful dialogue among senior decision-makers.”
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