OTTAWA – The federal government spent just over $4 million on coaching services for non-partisan public servants since the Liberals came to power last year.
That includes money for media training – even though each department has dedicated spokespeople – and other coaching to help bureaucrats develop leadership skills, manage stress and get promoted within government.
Departments say they hired external media consultants to help senior officials and subject matter experts learn how to communicate clearly with the public and that other coaching services are a way to develop effective and efficient employees.
Ministers and political staffers also benefited from coaching services – and not just the Liberal ones.
Nearly $118,000 went to the erstwhile aides of three former Conservative cabinet ministers – Chris Alexander, Steven Blaney and Peter MacKay – to help them transition to new careers after they lost their jobs when the previous government was voted out of office.
The details were contained in a response to an order paper question submitted by Conservative MP Jamie Schmale.
