Fourteen Policy analytical capacity and Canadian business associations
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Andrew Stritch
Abstract
Since the 1980s, policy advisory systems in Canada have become more open and accessible to inputs from civil society groups. However, the capacity to exploit this new openness is not evenly distributed within civil society. Based on survey data from Canadian business associations, this chapter argues that business groups have generally endowed themselves with impressive capacities for policy analysis and advice, and that these capacities have increased over the last decade or so. Business associations have commonly made a significant and sustained commitment to this endeavour, whether using in-house personnel or external resources, and have developed strong analytical means for providing governments with policy advice. To the extent that this capacity is unmatched by other sections of civil society, the greater openness of policy advisory systems may not reflect a new era of genuine pluralism, but reinforce existing biases in civil society.
Abstract
Since the 1980s, policy advisory systems in Canada have become more open and accessible to inputs from civil society groups. However, the capacity to exploit this new openness is not evenly distributed within civil society. Based on survey data from Canadian business associations, this chapter argues that business groups have generally endowed themselves with impressive capacities for policy analysis and advice, and that these capacities have increased over the last decade or so. Business associations have commonly made a significant and sustained commitment to this endeavour, whether using in-house personnel or external resources, and have developed strong analytical means for providing governments with policy advice. To the extent that this capacity is unmatched by other sections of civil society, the greater openness of policy advisory systems may not reflect a new era of genuine pluralism, but reinforce existing biases in civil society.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xv
- Policy analysis in Canada: an introduction 1
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The profession of policy analysis in Canada
- The policy analysis profession in Canada 27
- The “lumpiness” thesis revisited: the venues of policy work and the distribution of analytical techniques in Canada 49
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Policy analysis at different levels of Canadian governments
- Policy analysis in the federal government: conditions and renewal initiatives in the Trudeau era 71
- Public policy in the provinces: more powering; less puzzling 99
- Policy analysis in local government 121
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Policy analysis in the executive and legislative branches of Canadian government
- Policy analysis and the central executive 147
- Policy capacity and recruiting expertise in public services: acquiring talent in evolving governance environments 165
- The diminished invisible private service: consultants and public policy in Canada 187
- Canadian legislatures, public policy and policy analysis 211
- Commissions of inquiry and policy analysis 233
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Policy analysis outside government: parties, interest groups and the media
- The policy capacity of political parties in Canada 257
- Any better ideas? Think tanks and policy analysis in Canada 275
- Policy analytical capacity and Canadian business associations 297
- Transforming governance patterns: challenges and opportunities for voluntary sector policy capacity 317
- Policy analysis and advocacy in the Canadian labour movement: when the force of argument is not enough 331
- Media and public policy 351
- From policy analysis to policy analytics 369
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Pedagogy and policy analysis in the Canadian university system
- Academics and public policy 395
- Public policy studies in North America and Europe 421
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Conclusion
- Trends and directions in Canadian policy analysis and policy advice 449
- Index 467
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Editors’ introduction to the series xv
- Policy analysis in Canada: an introduction 1
-
The profession of policy analysis in Canada
- The policy analysis profession in Canada 27
- The “lumpiness” thesis revisited: the venues of policy work and the distribution of analytical techniques in Canada 49
-
Policy analysis at different levels of Canadian governments
- Policy analysis in the federal government: conditions and renewal initiatives in the Trudeau era 71
- Public policy in the provinces: more powering; less puzzling 99
- Policy analysis in local government 121
-
Policy analysis in the executive and legislative branches of Canadian government
- Policy analysis and the central executive 147
- Policy capacity and recruiting expertise in public services: acquiring talent in evolving governance environments 165
- The diminished invisible private service: consultants and public policy in Canada 187
- Canadian legislatures, public policy and policy analysis 211
- Commissions of inquiry and policy analysis 233
-
Policy analysis outside government: parties, interest groups and the media
- The policy capacity of political parties in Canada 257
- Any better ideas? Think tanks and policy analysis in Canada 275
- Policy analytical capacity and Canadian business associations 297
- Transforming governance patterns: challenges and opportunities for voluntary sector policy capacity 317
- Policy analysis and advocacy in the Canadian labour movement: when the force of argument is not enough 331
- Media and public policy 351
- From policy analysis to policy analytics 369
-
Pedagogy and policy analysis in the Canadian university system
- Academics and public policy 395
- Public policy studies in North America and Europe 421
-
Conclusion
- Trends and directions in Canadian policy analysis and policy advice 449
- Index 467
