text: I think I'll disappoint both sides of partisans, Alceste, and add that there are / were mitigating factors for both successive governments.
  
  The previous government, for all that I disagree with most of its policy positions, faced a communications challenge from within its own caucus which it met through a ruthless, comprehensive level of message control (with a much greater level of activity by PCO Comms).  This was seen as a centralization by the PM, when in many ways it was a recognition that there was a short list of Ministers who could be trusted to convey the Government's message correctly and effectively.
  
  For the current government, they've taken some steps that are utterly unprecedented in openness: publishing mandate letters (a laudable step, IMO) and releasing much of the transition advice (yikes!).  But they made a bunch of commitments on ATI without realizing what a fundamental mess the current system is.  They own it now, and have to come up with some kind of a solution.