PUBLIC POLICY IN CANADA LINKS

Updated 24 Jun 08

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is based on a list of web pages I picked up at a recent "How Ottawa Works" course taught by Jean-Marc Pellerin at the Canada School of Public Service. I've taken his already extensive list of links, and fleshed it out with defence and security links. Enjoy and, as usual, any additions/feedback always welcome at tony@milnews.ca.

Federal Government Sites

Canada.ca - Access to all Internet sites of the Federal government departments

Parliament of Canada - Access to all bills currently being studied at the House of Commons or the Senate, or which already received Royal Assent over the past few years. A legislative summary of the bill gives the key elements and some insight or observations concerning its controversial segments.

Parliament of Canada Parliamentary Information and Research Service - Outstanding resource listing policy and issue analysis papers on a range of issues.

Hansard - House of Commons - Provides verbatim record of debate and Question Period in the House of Commons for this session of Parliament.

Hansard - Senate - Provides verbatim record of debate and Question Period in the Senate for this session of Parliament.

Prime Minister of Canada - Recent speeches and announcements of priorities and membership in the various cabinet committees.

Government of Canada Newsroom - 'Today's national news and information published by Government of Canada organizations.'

Privy Council Office - Speeches by the Clerk of the Privy Council; Priorities for Public Service orientation. Speech from the Throne; Performance measures and accountability framework for Deputy Ministers.

Finance Canada - Budget documents; Statistics; Portals to other levels of government in Canada and to other countries.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat - All policies and procedures from Treasury Board, inlcuding

Main Estimates; Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports for all federal departments for several years.
Policies and Frameworks on Modern Comptrollership
Results of the Public Service Employee Survey

Office of the Auditor General - Results of all reports published by the Auditor General, presented by year and by departments. General observations relating to the quality of management in the federal public service.

Canada Gazette - The Canada Gazette, the 'official newspaper' of the Government of Canada, has been published regularly by the Queen's Printer since 1841. In it are published new statutes and regulations, proposed regulations, decisions of administrative boards and an assortment of government notices. Private sector notices which are required by statute to be published so as to inform to the public also appear in the Canada Gazette.

Policy Research in Canada: General

Policy Research Initiative (PCO) - Carries policy research and provides financial assistance toward specific studies. These papers can be downloaded from that site.

Statistics Canada - Up-to-date statistics and analysis on any topic affecting our country, available from Statistic Canada..

Policy.ca - Established in 2000, this page contains, "a constantly growing database of online public policy research publications, as well as information on policy organizations, institutes and researchers." Covers organizations from all political philosophies.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social and economic justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates.

Centre for Research and Information on Canada - Established in 1996 by the Canadian Unity Council, this organization tracks and analyses public opinion on a number of issues dealing with the Federation. It also publishes some policy research papers on a number of horizontal issues dealing with public opinion, in a weekly newsletter (OPINION CANADA).

Public Policy Forum - An organization that regroups 150 participating members and focus on promoting open dialogue on public policy and on encouraging reform in the management of the public service in Canada. Its current president is Jodi White.

Institute on Governance - Based in Ottawa and was founded in 1990 to promote effective governance in the following areas: Aboriginal; Policy capacity; Accountability and performance measure; Technology; Youth.

Canadian Public Policy Networks - Founded in 1994, and focuses on the human impact of the shift in economic policies and trends. Under the leadership of Judith Maxwell, it studies the following areas: Family; Health; Public Involvement; Work.

Institute for Research on Public Policy - Offers, in this Internet site, hundreds of recent articles on a multiplicity of policy issues. Its current president is Mel Cappe.

Conference Board of Canada - Established in 1954 and has a currently a staff of 210. It is based in Ottawa and carries research on economic and social trends, public policy issues and organizational strategies.

C D Howe Institute - Created in 1973 to promote economic and social policy research. It has a long list of publications and carries elaborate surveys on various economic and social aspects affecting Canada.

Fraser Institute - Created 25 years ago, as an independent and non-partisan research organization, based in Vancouver. It offers a long list of publications on topics ranging from fiscal policy, international trade and governance.

Caledon Institute of Social Policy - Established in 1992 as a non-profit organization with a charitable-organization status. It carries research to improve policy decisions and influence public opinion.

Policy Research in Canada: Defence/Security

Department of National Policy Group - Premised on the principle of academic liberty and overseen by an independent Selection Committee

appointed by the Minister of National Defence, the Security and Defence Forum has a mandate for :

• building and supporting a strong Canadian knowledge base;

• fostering informed public policy discussion and commentary; and

• enhancing communication and interaction between the academic community and the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.

Conference of Defence Associations - Established in 1932, the CDA represents 32 different defence organizations in Canada in its lobbying and advocacy work.

Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute - Established in 2001, the CDFAI provides "factual and comprehensive policy analysis to promote their understanding of Canada’s foreign policy and the state of our military preparedness and national security by developing and sponsoring authoritative research and education programs."

Canadian Association of Security and Intelligence Studies - Founded in the 1980's by the late Geoffrey Weller of the University of Northern British Columbia, holds conferences and publishes papers on various intelligence issues.

Frontline Canada - Publishes Front Line Defence and Front Line Security, journals containing articles on Canadian security and procurement issues - some articles available free online.

Policy Research in Canada: International Policy

Canadian Institute of International Affairs - Founded 75 years ago and has a current membership of 1,600, across the country. Focussing in international policy, it publishes a journals and a copy of studies presented as part of its regular Lectures, held regularly in key cities across the country.

Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies - Established in 1976 and publishes studies on strategic and national security issues. This Internet site provides a link to hundreds of interesting sites of related interest, under LINK.

Policy Research in Canada: Public Administration

Canadian Centre for Management Development - A Federal Government department which offers training in the field of public management. It also sponsors research and publishes studies and lectures on its Internet site

Institute of Public Administration of Canada - Founded 55 years ago to promote research in public administration, under the current leadership of Donald Savoie. It also publishes a quarterly Journal.

Policy Research in Canada: Economics and Finance

Bank of Canada - Publishes key speeches by its Governor and various policy papers on its monetary policy. It publishes a monthly report full of data and statistics on the Canadian economy and the flow of funds.

Canadianeconomy.gc.ca - Managed by the Government of Canada, this site offers a multitude of statistics on the economy and a portal to many sites of interest in the same field.

Industry Canada - Offers thousands of studies on any aspect of the Canadian economy, grouped by sector. It also provides economic indicators on a monthly basis along with an analysis of their potential impact on the economy.

Canadian Economics Association - Comprising of 9 Canadian academic associations and 1,400 members, this organization publishes the Canadian Journal of Economics. Its research deals with economics, political science, public administration, etc.

Canadian Association of Business Economics - Founded in 1975 and publishes policy papers, available on its Internet site. It also offers a quarterly journal.

Links to Policy and Security Research in Other Countries:

International Relations and Security Network (ISN) - 'The ISN is a free public service that provides a wide range of high-quality and comprehensive products and resources to encourage the exchange of information among international relations and security professionals worldwide. The ISN works to promote a better understanding of the strategic challenges we face in today’s changed security environment.'

ISN Links Directory - 'The ISN Links Directory offers an extensive collection of annotated links to international relations and security related websites. The collection includes links to government agencies and departments, international and regional organizations, NGOs and private groups, research institutes and their projects, journals, news and media, and other electronic resources.'

The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces - 'The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) promotes good governance and reform of the security sector. The Centre conducts research on good practices, encourages the development of appropriate norms at the national and international levels, makes policy recommendations and provides in-country advice and assistance programmes.'

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - Group 30 member-countries and 70 participating countries. Publishes research papers and statistics on a multiplicity of issues ranging from macro-economics to science and education.

Metropolis Canada - International forum for research and policy on migrations, diversity and changing cities. Connect to most key countries around the world.

United Nations Online Network for Public Administration and Finance - Discussion of horizontal issues and challenges facing specific countries in the field of public administration. Access to very recent publications.

International Development Research Centre - Founded in 1970 to help developing countries use science and technology for social and economic growth. Many publications, listed by topics and by country.

Political studies Association - Founded in 1950 and based in England, this organization publishes on the Web a number of research papers on political studies on most countries around the world.

Journalismnet - List of lobbyists, think tanks and public policy research organizations in Canada and around the world.

Finance Canada: Links - Provides links to other countries in the field of finance, economic policies and public administration.

Canadian Policy Library - Portal to other organizations in Canada and around the world to obtain access to policy research papers on any public policy issues.

Research in Political Science

Canadian Political Science Association - Founded in 1913 and includes members representing 50 departments of political science in universities across Canada. It publishes a quarterly journal.

Hill Watch - This site is managed by a public relation firm. It focus on the Federal Government and provides up-to-date information on recent speeches, key nominations, new organizations structure, etc. It also offers insightful comments on the implication of these events.