Canadian Governance Policy
“Canada is one of the most complex countries in the world to govern given the powers that are spread across our federal, provincial and territorial governments. The School of Public Policy can provide the policy options to make it work more effectively.”
Dr. Anthony M. Sayers
Director (on sabbatical), Canadian Governance Policy
About
This area of focus was established at the School in 2025 to bring rigorous evidence, shared knowledge and new ideas to address critical questions about how we govern ourselves as a complex country in a rapidly changing world.
The stresses now confronting the institutions that have underpinned our stability and prosperity for decades most probably have added to the challenge of ensuring political and economic resilience and strengthening Canada’s role in the world.
The School excels in bringing Canadians together to manage this complex bargain, convening academics, governments, business and civil society leaders to co-develop policy options that shape our country’s future.
We provide deep analysis and critical insight into the reforms needed to drive the effective delivery of government goods and services, expand the private economy and strengthen civil society.
Canadian governance policy intersects with other areas of focus at the School and typifies the need for transdisciplinary solutions in areas including federal-provincial relations, interprovincial relations, municipal governance, environment policy, Indigenous reconciliation, immigration, and security and defence.
Our Core Focus
Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Governance
Our research addresses questions about the diverse economic and social policy elements of the Canadian federation. We conduct interdisciplinary research to address policy issues including provincial politics and policymaking, interprovincial trade barriers, municipal governance, supply management, immigration and health care.
Climate Policy
The Canadian Climate Policy Partnership (C2P2) provides information on climate policies and strategies to mitigate climate change and help Canada meet its emissions targets. It is a national network of leading researchers and policymakers creating an accessible public database on the climate commitments, targets, policies and investments by the federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Canadian Economic Corridors
For a decade, the School has led Canada in research on economic corridors. We identified opportunities for interregional and international co-operation, trade, enhanced service delivery to northern communities and a coordinated approach to large-scale infrastructure projects. With governments now adopting these ideas, we can bring key parties together to turn these insights into practical policy solutions to improve social, economic and national security outcomes.
Database On Public Policy
Good, timely information is critical to informing research that leads to better analysis and policy options on issues common to all governments. No other organization is doing this work, and the School is positioned to be a one-stop shop for critical political and policy data on federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments and large language models that analyze public policies.
Indigenous Reconciliation
Our work aims to improve Canada’s capacity to develop meaningful and effective policies that address the aspirations and concerns of Indigenous peoples and contribute to reconciliation. Our focus is on the socioeconomic implications of energy policy, knowledge co-production in energy and environmental policy and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in infrastructure development.
Defence Policy
The School leverages its connections with the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary to deepen policy development on defence in response to increased global uncertainty and renewed federal engagement
Dr. Jennifer Winter
Interim Director, Canadian Governance Policy
Dr. Jennifer Winter is a Professor in the Department of Economics and the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, and Interim Director, Canadian Governance Policy at the School of Public Policy. From 2023 to 2026 she was the Departmental Science Advisor at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Her research evaluates climate policies, and examines the effects of government regulation and policy on energy development and the associated consequences and trade-offs.
Dr. Winter is an expert in the analysis of policy options for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and carbon pricing, with experience in advising governments and translating knowledge into formats that are accessible to non-expert audiences. She has testified to the Senate of Canada and House of Commons on emissions pricing policies based on her work in this area, and has advised governments in Canada and internationally in several capacities.
Dr. Winter is actively engaged in increasing public understanding of energy and environmental policy issues; recognition of her efforts include a 2014 Young Women in Energy Award, being named one of Alberta Oil Magazine’s Top 35 Under 35 in 2016, one of Avenue magazine’s Calgary Top 40 Under 40 in 2017, and one of Canada’s Clean50 and Clean16 in 2019. Dr. Winter serves on several boards and advisory committees.