quiz 1: the executive civl service

merit principle

people working in government should be hired and promoted based on skills, qualifications, and experience. not political connectino, favoritism, loyalty to a party.

principle agent theory

explains the relationship between those who have authority (principals) and those who carry out tasks on their behalf (agents).

• In Canadian politics, voters are the principals and elected officials are their agents; elected officials are principals to public servants, who act as agents.

• Problems can arise if agents don’t act in the best interests of principals, leading to issues like lack of accountability or poor oversight.

centralization of power

political decision-making being concentrated in a small group or single authority rather than spread out.

• In Canada, this describes power being focused in the Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet, rather than individual MPs or Parliament as a whole.

• Supporters argue it allows for efficient decision-making, while critics say it weakens democracy and limits debate and accountability

the civil service

policy implementation (+ policy initiation, formulation, and review, altogether known as = public administratino)

centre of influence & power because it provides advice, controls information, and carries out government decisions shaping policy

the civil service

t/f civil service is hierarchical

true

t/f civil service members are elected

false, theyre unelected

t/f civil service is expected to be expert and professional

true

how does merit principle apply to civil service

hiring and promotion based on ability, not favoritism

4 functions of civil service

1. provisions of service to the public

2. policy advice and implementation

3. regulation development and administration

4. disbursement of funds

policy advice and implementation

1. public servants give fearless advice by telling ministers the pros and cons of policy options

2. once a decision is made they carry out loyal implementation, even if they personally disagree

central agencies

key departments and offices that support the Prime Minister and Cabinet and help coordinate the entire federal government.

• pmo

• pco

• department of finance/treasury board

prime ministers office

• made up of political staff who advise the Prime Minister.

  • It is partisan and focused on political priorities rather than administration.

treasury board secretariat

oversees government spending, public service management, and administrative rules, ensuring efficiency.

departments are headed by

cabinet ministers

minister

direction and management of the activities of the department and agencies, baords, and commissions in portfolio

deputy ministers

exempt staff

minister and deputy minister names

gary anandasangaree and tricia geddess

Minister: Gary Anandasangaree, MP

• Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Guildwood–Rouge Park

• Minister of Public Safety

• Politically responsible for the department and its agencies

• Accountable to Parliament for actions of Public Safety portfolio

• Sets political direction and priorities

Deputy Minister: Tricia Geddes

• Deputy Minister for Public Safety

• Senior career civil servant (non-partisan)

• Provides expert advice and policy recommendations to the Minister

• Responsible for implementing decisions made by the Governor in Council

• Not politically responsible → accountability is administrative, not electoral

ABCs and CCs

agencies boards and commissions: public bodies that operate at arm’s length from government departments. They’re used to increase organizational flexibility, reduce direct political interference, and bring in expertise

agency

• an arms length corporate body

  • Deliver public services or manage programs

  • Have greater operational autonomy than departments

  • Examples:

    • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

  • Purpose: Efficient service delivery without day-to-day political control

board

• a public advisory committee made up of appointed citizens

  • Provide advice and recommendations rather than binding decisions

  • Limited executive power

  • Purpose: Public input, accountability, and representation

commission

• an agency providing specialized policy expertise and oversight

  • Often have oversight, regulatory, or quasi-judicial powers

  • Can investigate, regulate, or adjudicate issues

functions of abcs and ccs

1. adjucative

2. regulatory

3. operative

4. research

adjudicative

• Resolve disputes or hear complaints

• Act like courts or tribunals

regulatory

Create and enforce rules within a specific policy area

operative

Direct service delivery or program administration

crown corporation

legal entity with commercial or public policy purpose

• structured like private corporations

• Arms length operations

• Ex. Canada post

principal vs agent

principal makes deciisons

agents are experts without decision making authority

principal vs agent in canadian politics

• principal

  • Cabinet

  • Ministers

  • Parliament

• Agent

  • Civil servants

  • Regulatory agencies

  • ABCs (agencies, boards, and commissions)

problems with agents in the principle

• information asymmetry

• divergent interests

• discretion

information asymmetry

• Agents know more than principals about technical or policy details

• Principals must rely on agents’ expertise

divergent interests

• Agents may have:

  • Professional norms

  • Institutional interests

  • Personal or organizational goals

discretion

• Agents often have flexibility in how policies are implemented

• This discretion creates space for:

  • Delay

  • Reinterpretation

  • Policy drift

theories of public administration

• new public management

• new public governance

• deliverology

new public management

• Government should operate like the private sector

• Emphasis on efficiency, competition, and cost-cutting

• Use of performance indicators and targets

• Outsourcing and privatization of services

• Citizens treated as customers

new public governance

• Similar to NPM but less focus on competition

• Emphasis on collaboration and networks

• Partnerships with NGOs, private sector, and communities

• Shared responsibility for policy outcomes

• Citizens as participants, not just customers

deliverology

• Latest theory of public administration

• Focus on evidence-based policy

• Clear goals and measurable outcomes

• Continuous data collection and monitoring

• Emphasis on implementation and results, not just policy design

public policy cycle

the common stages in public decision making from conception to implementation and modification

public policy agenda setting

• the use of strategies and tactics to generation public and government support for a proposed public policy

  • Determines which issues get attention

  • Influenced by media and public opinion