Harper Tories facing heat for compiling "enemies" lists for new ministers The Harper government is facing questions about whether Conservative staffers were compiling enemies lists as part of transition plans for Monday's cabinet shuffle. A July 4 email obtained by Global News shows a Prime Minister's Office official asking staff working for cabinet ministers across the government to draw up lists of pesky bureaucrats and "enemy stakeholders." These briefing notes were apparently supposed to form part of transition briefing books handed to new ministers who assumed control of departments. The email in question, from Erica Furtado, a staffer with the "issues management" arm of the PMO, lists 10 items that must be included in the transition binders. These include: "Who to avoid: bureaucrats that can't take no (or yes) for an answer" as well as "who to engage or avoid: friend and enemy stakeholders." It's unusual in Canadian politics for political staffers to openly call those who disagree with them "enemies." Critics of the Harper government sometimes compare it unfavourably to the administration of former U.S. President Richard Nixon, citing the Tories" penchant for secrecy and their distrust of outsiders. Global News said Ms. Furtado later sent a follow-up email saying that the PMO "no longer required" a list of troublesome bureaucrats. It quoted a source saying the PMO also verbally requested that ministerial staff develop a list of "enemy reporters," but that this request was later withdrawn. A PMO official refused to discuss the Furtado email but did not deny its existence. The official, who requested anonymity, said the government tries to prepare ministers for their new jobs. While we don't comment on internal communications, we are collaborating with our ministers, especially new ministers, to ensure they are fully briefed so they can continue their work on behalf of Canadian taxpayers.