Leadership in a time of crisis: reflections of a minister in the government of Canada during 9/11 and SARS

This article offers my personal reflections on political leadership in a time of crisis ^[1]. My reflections are shaped by my experience as a former minister in the Government of Canada during two notable crises – the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak ^[2]. These reflections are my own – they are not and do not reflect the opinions of the Prime Ministers Chretien or Martin or their governments in which I served, nor do they reflect the views of my former colleagues.

Elected officials and ministers in...