CanadaPolitics

A normal pre-budget process would see cabinet ministers write to the finance minister with requests for their departments and the need for funding various projects under their portfolio. But for this budget cycle, ministers are being asked for a progress report made directly to the prime minister.

Carney’s mandate letter differs from previous prime ministers in that ministers did not get unique ones; rather, Carney sent one letter to the entirety of cabinet. Seven priorities were outlined, including “building one Canadian economy,” and “bringing down costs for Canadians.”

Sources say some ministers are unaccustomed to this type of “report card” metric and are worried about the appearance of a lack of progress, and what implications that may have for their department in the budget, describing the process as “more than a little chaotic.”

Two sources close to ministers tell CTV News some staff are “panicked,” and there is a widespread sentiment that this kind of practice is further evidence of the prime minister running government like a CEO.