Twenty-One Trends and directions in Canadian policy analysis and policy advice
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Michael J. Prince
Abstract
As public sector work, policy analysis and policy advising is the soft craft of hard choices. Changes in the context and content of Canadian politics and government in recent decades have shifted the nature of public service policy advice giving. This chapter presents these changes and their implications in relation to two approaches to policy advising. One model, the traditional approach in Canadian parliamentary governments, involves public servants speaking truth to those in power, namely cabinet ministers. The second model, reflecting contemporary trends in governance, can be described as many actors sharing many truths to decision makers. In short, there has been a shift in policy advisory systems engaged in policy analysis and matters of giving policy advice. The chapter examines each of these models, describing them and offering some criticisms, as well as noting trends in Canada that relate to this altered context of advising and policy development.
Abstract
As public sector work, policy analysis and policy advising is the soft craft of hard choices. Changes in the context and content of Canadian politics and government in recent decades have shifted the nature of public service policy advice giving. This chapter presents these changes and their implications in relation to two approaches to policy advising. One model, the traditional approach in Canadian parliamentary governments, involves public servants speaking truth to those in power, namely cabinet ministers. The second model, reflecting contemporary trends in governance, can be described as many actors sharing many truths to decision makers. In short, there has been a shift in policy advisory systems engaged in policy analysis and matters of giving policy advice. The chapter examines each of these models, describing them and offering some criticisms, as well as noting trends in Canada that relate to this altered context of advising and policy development.
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
