Navigating a career in Canada’s public service can be a complex journey. The Public Servant’s Guide to Government in Canada serves as an essential resource for those seeking to transition into and thrive in provincial and federal government roles. Written for university students, early-career public servants, and those shifting into government from other sectors, the book demystifies spaces between politics and public administration. The new, updated edition is organized into five concise chapters. It begins with an exploration of what it means to be a public servant, the core principles of governance, and the division of power in Canadian government. It demonstrates the value of helping to define and deliver the public good in a politically charged environment and explores the expectations and realities of government employment, delving into the politicized nature of public administration and public policy. Providing comprehensive insights into the roles, competencies, and career development strategies essential for success in public service, each chapter includes practical tips and key takeaways that reinforce learning and practice. More than merely a tool for individual advancement, this guide is a call to action for building a more informed and effective public service in Canada.
The Public Servant's Guide to Government in Canada is a concise primer on the inner workings of government in Canada. This is a go-to resource for students, for early career public servants, and for anyone who wants to know more about how government works. Grounded in experience, the book connects core concepts in political science and public administration to the real-world practice of working in the public service. The authors provide valuable insights into the messy realities of governing and the art of diplomacy, as well as best practices for climbing the career ladder.
Now in its second edition, this manual prepares students for careers in public policy development by exploring both the factors involved in recognizing and resolving public problems and the dynamics that affect the development process. Siu presents six principles for developing good policy and outlines the various approaches used to determine issues, conduct research, formulate policy options and recommendations, and derive intelligent decisions. Developing Public Policy connects the abstract idea of policy with the practical reality of creating it, providing the reader with the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to navigate the complexities of policy development in Canada. Thoroughly updated, this second edition details newly developed policy topics and areas, including a new chapter on post-policy considerations and more than double the amount of exercises to practice policy writing and consultations. Featuring questions for critical thought and real-life case examples grounded in the author’s experience as a civil servant, Developing Public Policy is an essential guide for students of public policy, public administration, political science, health policy, and human rights and equity.
What does it really take to govern effectively? Michael Wernick, a career public servant with experience working at the highest levels of Canadian government, shares tips, insider knowledge, and essential advice in this first-ever practical governance handbook. From choosing a Cabinet and getting the most out of it, to delivering on the prime minister’s mandate letter, readers will get a close-up look at how day-to-day political work actually happens. Wernick’s three decades "in the room" with prime ministers, cabinet ministers, and other members of government make this a must-read not only for politicians, but for anyone who aspires to understand them.
"Thinking Government: Public Administration and Politics in Canada, fourth edition, is a comprehensive introduction to public administration and public sector management. This book places Canadian government and public administration within its political context and covers such important topics as the institutions of the federal government, financial and human resources management, and accountability and responsibility. Fully updated throughout, Thinking Government, fourth edition, is perfect for Canadian public administration courses."--
The revised edition of The Canadian Style is an indispensable language guide for editors, copywriters, students, teachers, lawyers, journalists, secretaries and business people – in fact, anyone writing in the English language in Canada today. It provides concise, up-to-date answers to a host of questions on abbreviations, hyphenation, spelling, the use of capital letters, punctuation and frequently misused or confused words. It deals with letter, memo and report formats, notes, indexes and bibliographies, and geographical names. It also gives techniques for writing clearly and concisely, editing documents and avoiding stereotyping in communications. There is even an appendix on how to present French words in an English text.
For decades, public service organizations have been under constant and growing pressure from citizens and stakeholders to provide more integrated, effective and accountable programs and services. Governments are beginning to acknowledge that they can't own every issue and increasingly look to collaboration, networking and consultation at many levels as they design and develop polices, programs and service delivery mechanisms. Building Better Public Services explores the challenges facing public services in the 21st century, including the need for systemic cultural change, enhanced governance, evidence-informed policy and program design, and shared approaches to service delivery. Based on case studies and interviews, supplemented by first person experience, Building Better Public Services will take you inside the world of public services in Canada and the United Kingdom to explore capacity building successes and lessons learned. The book offers insights into innovations that will inform public servants as they work to improve services for citizens and gives directional advice and observations on the importance of public services leadership, an area rarely explored in business leadership literature. "An essential handbook on how to improve public policy and services. This is not yet another book focused primarily on making government smaller or driven by an ideology of austerity. It is rather grounded in a deep appreciation of the importance of public service to our quality of life and well-being and of the great advantages Canada's professional, nonpartisan public service affords. Drawing on examples across Canada and internationally of what works and what does not, Tony offers concrete recommendations for building a more citizen-centred, open, collaborative public service." -Alex Himelfarb - Former Clerk of the Privy Council - Government of Canada, and current Chair of WWF-Canada and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. "I hope Tony Dean's reflections bring a long overdue debate to a critical subject - how to make public services work better. Innovation in the public sector is a subject that cries out for real discussion, and Tony has done us all a great favour by analysing these issues with commitment and flair. It's not about cutting things, it's about creativity and getting things done, breaking down silos and making it happen." -Bob Rae - Lawyer, negotiator, and Ontario's 21st Premier. "This is a book written by someone who knows the day to day challenges and reality of making governments work. It should be read by both current and future politicians and public servants who want to improve their governments' focus on outcomes for, and with, citizens. Dean underpins this book with relentlessly wanting to achieve more. He celebrates the passion, commitment and innovation of public servants but is not blind to the need for change." --Ray Shostak - International Government Adviser and former head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit and Director General, Performance, HM Government (UK)
Now in its sixth edition, The Canadian Regime continues to provide the most accessible introduction to the institutions, processes, and principles of the Canadian political system. The book's focus on the inner logic of parliamentary government explains the rationale for Canada's relatively complex political system, which the authors encourage readers to think of as an organic entity, where change in one area inevitably ripples through the rest of the system. The new edition includes the results of Canada's 2015 federal election and looks ahead to consider changes resulting from the Liberal victory. It has been thoroughly updated and revised and introduces several new topics, such as the impact of the previous Conservative government on the conventions and practices of parliamentary government and the important influence of social media on politics. Two new co-authors, Gerald Baier and Thomas M.J. Bateman, join Patrick Malcolmson and Richard Myers to bring new expertise in the areas of federalism, judicial politics, Charter jurisprudence, political parties, and the ongoing health care debate.
This book exposes the inherent complexities and challenges found in government environments and offers insights to help bureaucrats, and those working alongside bureaucrats, better understand the dynamics of provincial government in Canada. The authors are career civil servants with more than 60 years of service between them. They share practical advice and include insights from senior bureaucrats and academics, about how best to navigate relationships within the government sector. The result is an entertaining and fast-paced read. The book is aimed at civil servants, politicians, media, unions, lobbyists and others who work closely with the bureaucracy and who want to better understand how the system works.
