You Must Have A 100% Driving Test Pass Rate

Over time and through many discussions, I realized that a core belief among many of my younger clients is that the highest standard in society and the best solutions to most problems come from the bureaucracy.

Wow! What an eye-opener! Where the heck did that idea come from?

I know that the purpose of the comment was to compliment my training skills as I presented both the expectations on a driving test and the laws, as well as solid supporting arguments for all the related safety practices connected to the test expectations. But to equate my high standards and high skill with that of the government’s similar high quality was a shock!

This belief is openly expressed by many of my younger clients. It’s surprising to me how strongly they hold this view and how unaware they seem of its flaws. Growing up, we all had a very common expression that the bureaucracy was 10 years behind today’s businesses—and for good reason.

In reality, bureaucracy-run projects often face significant inefficiencies, slow decision-making, and costly overruns that demonstrate their inability to act with the effectiveness and agility required for success. Below are some well-known examples of government projects that faced massive cost overruns, showcasing the pitfalls of bureaucratic action.

1. Phoenix Pay System (2016–ongoing)

• Initial Budget: $309 million CAD
• Current Cost: Over $2 billion CAD
• Cost Overrun: Over 500%
• Description: Launched to modernize federal payroll services, the system has caused thousands of employees to be overpaid, underpaid, or not paid at all. The government continues to deal with issues years after the launch, with billions in repair costs.

2. Trans Mountain Pipeline (2018–ongoing)

• Initial Cost Estimate: $7.4 billion CAD (at time of purchase in 2018)
• Current Cost: $30.9 billion CAD (as of 2023)
• Cost Overrun: Over 400%
• Description: The federal government purchased the pipeline to ensure its expansion, but the project has been plagued by regulatory, legal, and environmental delays, resulting in massive cost increases.

3. Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric Project (Newfoundland and Labrador, 2010–ongoing)

• Initial Cost Estimate: $6.2 billion CAD
• Current Cost: $13.1 billion CAD
• Cost Overrun: Over 110%

4. Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories Revitalization (2015–ongoing)

• Initial Budget: $800 million CAD
• Current Cost: $2.3 billion CAD
• Cost Overrun: Over 185%

5. Joint Support Ship Program (2004–ongoing)

• Initial Budget: $2.1 billion CAD
• Current Cost: $4.1 billion CAD
• Cost Overrun: Over 95%

Trans Mountain Pipeline:

• Latest Cost Update (2023): The cost of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion has ballooned from an initial estimate of $7.4 billion to $30.9 billion, as reported by Global News in 2023​(Global News)​(Global News). Reasons for this overrun include inflation, supply chain challenges, and difficult terrain along the pipeline route. This project remains under scrutiny due to its financial implications and potential losses for the Canadian government.

Phoenix Pay System:

• Current Status (2023): The Phoenix Pay System, initially budgeted at $309 million, has cost over $2.4 billion as of 2023 due to ongoing technical issues and efforts to stabilize the system. The pay system continues to affect tens of thousands of Canadian public servants, resulting in significant financial burdens​(Canada.ca)​(Office of the Auditor General).

These examples highlight how government projects can experience severe cost overruns, largely due to inefficiencies in project management, bureaucratic delays, and unanticipated challenges. And notice how many are still ongoing!

Please do not place me in this category. My skills have been a long and hard journey paid for with my sweat and determination. And thank you for the compliment but please see the truth of where the skills and knowledge originated and where they did not originate.

Thanks Cooper

YOU NEVER FAIL IF YOU NEVER GIVE UP.

A QUALITY “CALM DRIVING” VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA DRIVING SCHOOL