Institutional policy learning and formal federal-urban engagement in Canada

Main Article Content

Zachary Spicer

Abstract

Canada has experienced two formal federal ministries dedicated to addressing urban issues. The first, the Ministry of State for Urban Affairs, encountered resistance from provincial governments and its fellow departments. Both worked to undermine it. The second, the Ministry of State for Infrastructure and Communities, was created with a more conciliatory tone towards the provincial governments and its ministerial colleagues. This paper examines the establishment of both ministries and tracks their efforts using a policy learning and lesson-drawing framework, concluding that common institutional actors, such as the Privy Council, were responsible for the Ministry of State for Infrastructure and Communities’ change in tone and approach to multilevel governance. General lessons are drawn about inter-governmental relations and multi-level policy formation in federal systems.

Article Details

How to Cite
Spicer, Z. (1). Institutional policy learning and formal federal-urban engagement in Canada. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (7), 99-119. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i7.1892
Section
Research and Evaluation (peer-reviewed)
Author Biography

Zachary Spicer, Department of Political Science, The University of Western Ontario

Zachary is a PhD candidate with research interests that include Local Government, Canadian Politics, Public Policy, and Multilevel Governance. Local Government, Canadian Politics, Public Policy, Multilevel Governance