Navigating Canadian Public Policy: Levels, Ideologies, and Impacts

Posted on Jun 17, 2024 in Social sciences

What is Public Policy?

Public policy refers to the government’s priorities and actions, shaping programs and services. It evolves over time, influenced by political ideologies and societal needs.

Political Ideologies and Structures

Conservatism

Conservatism values tradition, emphasizing social hierarchy and limited government intervention in the economy. It promotes traditional values and beliefs.

Liberalism

Liberalism prioritizes individual freedom, liberty, and equality for all. It emphasizes competition, reason, and individual rights.

Democratic Socialism

Democratic socialism strives for equity, ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met. It combines elements of communism and liberalism, advocating for social programs and a more equitable distribution of resources.

Party Alignment with Ideologies

The political spectrum ranges from Communism to Fascism, with Democratic Socialism, Liberalism, and Conservatism in between.

Conservatism Parties

These parties typically fall between conservatism and liberalism, advocating for some social conservatism alongside free-market principles and limited government intervention.

Liberal Parties

Positioned between democratic socialism and liberalism, these parties support social welfare programs and government regulation while upholding individual liberties.

NDP (New Democratic Party)

The NDP leans slightly right of democratic socialism, prioritizing social programs, healthcare, affordable housing, and support for marginalized communities.

Types of Government

Autocracy

Decision-making power rests with a single individual, such as a monarch or dictator.

Pros:

Potentially faster decision-making
Strong leadership (depending on the leader)
Potential for reduced crime and increased security

Cons:

Lack of citizen voice and participation
Risk of poor or tyrannical leadership
Limited diversity of perspectives
Lack of accountability

Oligarchy

A small group of people, often elites, hold the power. Examples include China and Russia.

Democracy

Citizens hold the decision-making power.

Direct Democracy:

Citizens directly vote on issues.

Indirect Democracy:

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Presidential Democracy:

Citizens elect a head of state (President).

Parliamentary Democracy:

The head of state is typically appointed or elected separately from the legislature.

Government Levels and Responsibilities

Federal

Areas outlined in the Constitution Act, 1867.

Federal Parliament: House of Commons (338 MPs), Senate (Senators appointed by the Prime Minister), Governor General (representing the Monarch)

Provincial and Territorial

Ten provinces govern areas like health, natural resources, transportation, and education.

Ontario: 124 MPPs, Lieutenant Governor
Three territories have responsibilities granted by the federal government.

Municipal

Local governments (city/town/municipality) oversee community systems, social services, fire and police services, and bylaws.

Band Councils

Elected councils govern First Nations communities, overseeing local matters.

How Canadian Democracy Works

Election of MPs

Citizens elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent them in the House of Commons. MPs often belong to political parties.

Ridings

Geographic areas are divided into ridings, each electing one MP to represent them.

First Past the Post

The candidate with the most votes in a riding wins, even if they don’t have a majority.

Pros:

Geographic representation
Straightforward process
Higher likelihood of majority governments

Cons:

May not fully represent the overall vote distribution
Smaller parties are disadvantaged

Majority vs. Minority Government

A majority government occurs when one party holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons. A minority government occurs when no single party has a majority.

The Role of Political Parties

Developing policy
Recruiting and nominating candidates
Organizing the government
Structuring political debates
Providing platforms for public opinion

Federal Level Government

Legislative Branch

Parliament: Makes laws, determines taxes, and oversees government spending.
House of Commons: 338 elected members representing electoral districts.
Senate: 105 appointed members who review and propose amendments to legislation.

Executive Branch

Governor General: Represents the Monarch, grants royal assent to bills, appoints officials, and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Prime Minister and Cabinet: The Prime Minister selects the Cabinet, which is responsible for governing the country.

Judicial Branch

Responsible for the administration of justice, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Main Political/Provincial Parties

Conservative Party of Canada

Ideologies: Economic growth, limited government intervention, traditional values.
Influence: Federal laws and policies, often emphasizing law and order.

Progressive Conservative Party (Provincial)

Ideologies: Similar to the federal Conservative Party but with variations based on regional concerns.

NDP (Federal and Provincial)

Ideology: Left-center, advocating for social democracy, workers’ rights, environmental protection, and social welfare.
Influence: Proposes policies related to social issues, healthcare, and support for marginalized communities.

Green Party (Federal and Provincial)

Ideology: Focuses on environmentalism, sustainability, social justice, and progressive policies.
Influence: Raises awareness about environmental concerns and advocates for climate action.

Liberal Party of Canada

Ideologies: Center-left, supporting progressive policies such as social welfare, environmental protection, a mixed market economy, multiculturalism, and social equality.
Influence: Proposes legislation and has historically held a significant number of seats in Parliament.

Liberal Party of Ontario

Ideology: Similar to the federal Liberal Party, with a focus on social welfare, progressive policies, and economic development tailored to Ontario’s needs.

Defining Public Policy

Public policy refers to the principles and actions taken by the government for the public good. It encompasses rules, procedures, and positions supported by resources, structures, and ideological justifications.

Canadian Government Policy Cycle

The federal Cabinet develops public policy.
The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet ministers.
Cabinet committees address specific policy issues.
The Privy Council manages the flow of policy documents.
Cabinet committees recommend policies for Cabinet approval.

Process of Policy Development

Identify core issues.
Conduct research and analyze data.
Consult with stakeholders and interest groups.
Seek legal opinions.
Consider financial costs and risks.
Examine organizational, political, and administrative implications.
Formulate and debate policy options.

Influences and Patterns of Policy Development

Political culture
Multiculturalism policy
The Constitution
Social and economic factors
Language policy (English and French)
Indigenous policies

Principles of Good Public Policy

Balance of public interests
Accountability
Impact
Cost-effectiveness
Justice
Balance of short-term and long-term considerations

Types of Policy (Federal)

Economic policy
Social policy (e.g., criminal justice reform)
Health policy (e.g., COVID-19 policies)
Family policy
Indigenous policy
Environmental policy

Public Policy Products

Internal Use Products

Documents used within government organizations, such as briefing notes, decision notes, and research plans.

External Use Products

Documents distributed to the public, such as press releases, stakeholder consultation papers, and policy statements.

Policy Issue Identification

Jurisdiction

Determining the level of government responsible for the issue.

Legality

Considering the legal implications of the policy.

Government Direction

Aligning the policy with the current government’s priorities.

Issue Urgency

Assessing the urgency of addressing the issue.

Provincial Branches of Government

Executive

Lieutenant Governor (representing the Monarch)
Premier
Executive Council (Cabinet)

Judiciary

Court of Appeal
Superior Court of Justice
Ontario Court of Justice

Legislative

124 seats representing ridings in Ontario.

Provincial Powers

Based on the Constitution Act, 1867, provincial powers include:

Education
Health and social services
Administration of justice
Direct taxation

Provincial Policy Jurisdiction

Finance
Seniors
Transportation
Education
Health
Community and social services
Indigenous affairs

Municipal Government Structure

Governed by the Municipal Act, created by the Government of Ontario.

Types of Municipal Structures:

Single-Tier System (e.g., City of Hamilton)
Two-Tier System (e.g., Region of Waterloo)

Key Roles

Mayor
City Council

Jurisdictions

Child care
Local infrastructure
Public transit
Police services
Public health
Fire services
Community programs
Arts and culture

Policy Evaluation

Policy evaluation is the systematic assessment of a policy’s merit, worth, and value. It informs decision-making, improvements, and accountability.

Types of Policy Evaluations

Delivery Evaluation (Formative Evaluation)

Focuses on implementation, output production, and efficiency.

Outcome Evaluation (Summative Evaluation)

Focuses on outcome achievement, attributing outcomes to the policy’s activities, and identifying alternative delivery methods.

Social Policy

Social policy encompasses areas like public education, healthcare, subsidized housing, and income support. It aims to promote the well-being of individuals and families.

Social Policy Approaches to Income Security

Ontario Works (OW)

Provides employment support and financial assistance to those in need.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Offers income support to individuals with disabilities.

2016 Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy

Focuses on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement to address substance abuse.

Community Safety & Well-being Planning

Assists municipalities in developing plans that prioritize social development and prevention.

Police Services Act 1990 (being replaced by the CSPA 2019)

Outlines the principles and duties of police services in Ontario.

Community Safety and Policing Act 2019

Modernizes policing and enhances community safety in Ontario.

The Canada Health Act

Highlights the importance of mental health services and promotes mental health.

Tackling Violent Crime Act (Bill C-2)

Addresses violent crimes, dangerous offenders, and the age of sexual consent.

Ontario Supportive Housing Framework

Aims to provide safe and affordable housing, supporting independence and well-being.

Indigenous Policy Making

Key Principles

Nation-to-Nation Relationships
Reconciliation
Provision of Services

Key Legislations

The Royal Proclamation (1763)
The Indian Act (1876)
Treaties
The Royal Commission for Aboriginal Peoples (1996)
Specific and Comprehensive Land Claims
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015)

Federal Jurisdictions

Indigenous Services Canada
Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada

Provincial Jurisdictions

Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

Policy Examples

Jordan’s Principle
Healing Lodges

Tough on Crime Approach

Emphasizes tougher sentences for violent and repeat offenders.

Bill C-25

Limited credit for pretrial custody.

Bill C-59

Abolished the early parole act.

Bill C-10

mandatory min sentences for drug offences/increase max. sentences for drug trafficking/min for sex offenders/exceptions for sentences to be in the community/increase restriction for pardons/harsher for young offenders.