Overview
The Canadian Public Policy program provides an adaptable and broad knowledge base for students interested in all levels of Canadian-based policy work, giving students a strong foundation in policy analysis and implementation.
This involves understanding the public policy process, policy analysis, intergovernmental relations, economic forces and political considerations.
At a Glance
Curriculum
At ¹û¶³´«Ãº, the Canadian Public Policy program is inter and multi-disciplinary with students completing a common core set of courses anchored in political science and economics.
Throughout the process students engage with contemporary and historical issues to critically assess the inclusiveness, fairness and effectiveness of public policy making given time and resource constraints.
Topics of study include:
- theories and processes of public policy-making
- analysis of public policy fields like environment, health, and education
- political leadership in Canada
- Canadian federalism and intergovernmental relations
- social and legal issues and policies in regional, national, and international contexts
- organizational behaviour, financial and management accounting
To develop and deepen their interest, students select optional streams drawn from the disciplines of:
- Canadian Studies
- Commerce
- Economics
- French Studies
- Geography and Environment
- History
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Statistics
Canadian Public Policy is available as:
- BA major (60 credits)
- Minor in any degree (24 credits)
Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, an honours, and a certificate?
POLS 2101 — Canadian Government and Politics
This course is a study of the political process in Canada. It presents an overview of the constitution, institutions, and political actors that represent the essential components of Canada's political culture and government.
POLS 3141 — Canadian Public Policy
This course introduces students to theories of public policy-making and the policy-making process in Canada. It emphasizes decision-making, policy change, and implementation in exploring connections among actors, ideas, and institutions in various public policy fields including environmental, health, and social policy to reveal patterns of policy change.
ECON 2301 — Economic Issues in Canadian Public Policy I
This course introduces analytical methods used by social scientists examining Canadian social and economic policy by studying issues that arise perennially. Topics may include: unemployment and government policy, Canada and the global economy, social security reform, regionalism, education policy, health policy, and inflation.
ECON 3201 — Money, Banking, and the Canadian Financial System: Microeconomic Perspective
This course covers microeconomic aspects of the Canadian financial system. One main focus of the course is on financial instruments, the markets in which they are traded, and the economic role that these markets play. The other main focus is on Canadian financial institutions, the activities in which they engage, and the economic roles they play.
GENV 3201 — Canadian Environmental Policy
This course studies the politics and policies of environmental problem-solving within the Canadian context. It examines key features of the Canadian political system - its parlimentary structure, robust federalism among others - in light of the nation's evolving environmental policy. It pays particular attention to the role of stakeholder dynamics and alternative regulatory tools and strategies (e.g., pollution taxes, best available technology, etc.).
SOCI 3701 — Social Policy Analysis
This course provides the opportunity for students to apply sociological theories and perspectives to the development and analysis of social policies and programs. Social policy is the arena in which citizens, professionals, non-governmental organizations, social movements, and government address the social inequities underlying the lived realities of individuals. The course leads to an understanding of how sociology can be applied in researching, developing, analyzing, and implementing 'real world' social policies and programs.
POLS 4161 — Disability Politics & Policy in Canada
This course examines the evolution of disability politics and policy in Canada. It emphasizes conceptualizations of disability, political participation, advocacy, and rights-based approaches to changes in public policy.
CANA 3821 — The Indian Act: Law, Policy, and First Nations
This course will focus on the origins, evolution, and contemporaneity of Canada's Indian Act and policies. Emphasis will be placed on First Nations resistance and survivance and efforts to overturn these colonial acts and policies through time.
Find a full list of Canadian public policy courses in our
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Mario Levesque
Associate professor, Politics and International Relations
» ¹û¶³´«Ãº professors in sciences, social sciences recognized with Paul Paré Awards
Careers
Whether you're entering the job market or continuing your education, your ¹û¶³´«Ãº degree will stand out.
¹û¶³´«Ãº has been recognized by Maclean's as the top primarily undergraduate university in Canada more times than any other university.
The Canadian Public Policy program prepares students for potential careers in the public service (local, provincial, federal) and non-governmental organizations or in the private sector.
Key skills learned include critical thinking (policy analysis, policy process knowledge, public service norms), writing (policy analysis reports, policy briefs, cabinet memos) and communication (written, oral, online).
Popular career paths for Canadian Public Policy graduates include:
- public policy/business analyst
- lawyer
- municipal administrator
- government relations officer
- not-for-profit sector
- policy researcher
- policy consultant
- lobbyist
- legislative/executive assistant (for MPs, provincial representatives)
Testimonials
Canadian Public Policy is the perfect program for somebody looking to get involved in government, public or private sectors, learn the skills of research and writing, and overall have a well-rounded degree. With the support of a tight-knit department this program opens doors and opportunities you may never have thought possible.
/current-students/department-politics-and-international-relations
Admission Requirements
Academic Awards
Mount A is #2 in student awards
²Ñ²¹³¦±ô±ð²¹²Ô’s ranks ¹û¶³´«Ãº second in student and faculty awards in its latest University Rankings. To date, 56 ¹û¶³´«Ãº students have become Rhodes Scholars — one of the best per capita records in Canada.