I have concerns about these two factors when they are accompanied by perceived service shortcomings in several sectors in which the government has an important responsibility.
Increasing the size of the public service is something that is dependent on government decisions. Increased use of consultants is also a decision of the government and its senior officials or deputy ministers. Both decisions make sense if services are greatly improved, but I think that all of you, as members of Parliament, probably find that every day in your riding offices that these services are not always meeting the expectations of citizens. That's where my misgivings lie.
If the decision to increase spending on counselling services, while also increasing the number of public servants, results in improved service delivery and more informed advice to ministers, that's one thing. But if the expenditures increase in both categories, while services do not appear to be improving, that's when I have concerns.