Overview
Is the Canadian government contributing to its own underperformance? An insider’s guide to steering our nation toward greater efficiency Canada is struggling. Our growth is anemic, our standard of living is stagnant, our housing is unaffordable, and our health care system is nearing a breaking point. To make matters worse, the government fails to deliver core services and avoid management fiascos like the ArriveCan and Phoenix scandals. These failures are systemic and interconnected. What connects them is a fatal flaw in how the federal government operates, makes decisions, and takes action. Power has shifted from Cabinet to the Prime Minister and Prime Minister’s Office with political staff taking on a larger role relative to the Public Service, and parliament has lost its ability to call the elected government to account.
Full Product Details
Author: Kevin G. Lynch
Publisher: University of Regina Press
Imprint: University of Regina Press
ISBN: 9781779401113
ISBN 10: 1779401116
Pages: 218
Publication Date: 04 November 2025
Audience:
College/higher education
,
General/trade
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
""""A gem of a book on public policy and Canadian government at a time when Canada is especially in need of a reflective analysis.""""--Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, 2010-17 """"A must read for Canadians concerned with the issues facing our country and risks to our future prosperity.""""--M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, OC, AOE, FRSC, FCAE, President Emerita, University of Calgary and Corporate Director """"A New Blueprint for Government is a tour de force that will anchor debates about the functioning and the effectiveness of the Canadian government. With characteristic verve, Lynch and Mitchell present bold, informed, and lucid arguments on a fundamental topic--and suggest ways that will encourage optimists to believe it is possible.""""--Pierre Lortie, Retired CEO of CN Railways """"This is the public policy book I have been waiting for! Lynch and Mitchell have laid out with clarity the challenges that Canada now faces in a changing world and some practical ways to meet them. The book's breadth and depth reflect the experience and understanding of the authors. This book should be prescribed reading for ministers and senior officials in Canada's 'new government.' We have no time to lose!""""--Honourable John P. Manley P.C., O.C., former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
""""A New Blueprint for Government is a tour de force that will anchor debates about the functioning and the effectiveness of the Canadian government. With characteristic verve, Lynch and Mitchell present bold, informed, and lucid arguments on a fundamental topic--and suggest ways that will encourage optimists to believe it is possible.""""--Pierre Lortie, former President and CEO of the Montreal Stock Exchange and President and COO of Bombardier Transport """"Lynch and Mitchell are the most experienced and qualified people to write such a book, having been at the centre of power serving several prime ministers over many years. I would suggest the new pm read it--it could save the new government many mistakes.""""--Paul Tellier, Retired CEO of CN Railways """"A gem of a book on public policy and Canadian government at a time when Canada is especially in need of a reflective analysis.""""--Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, 2010-17 """"A must read for Canadians concerned with the issues facing our country and risks to our future prosperity.""""--M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, OC, AOE, FRSC, FCAE, President Emerita, University of Calgary and Corporate Director """"This is the public policy book I have been waiting for! Lynch and Mitchell have laid out with clarity the challenges that Canada now faces in a changing world and some practical ways to meet them. The book's breadth and depth reflect the experience and understanding of the authors. This book should be prescribed reading for ministers and senior officials in Canada's 'new government.' We have no time to lose!""""--Honourable John P. Manley P.C., O.C., former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
Author Information
Kevin Lynch, who hails from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, started his career at the Bank of Canada. This led to a 33-year career in government that included leadership roles as Clerk of the Privy Council, Deputy Minister of Finance, and Deputy Minister of Industry. Post government, Dr. Lynch served as Vice Chair of BMO, was active on numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards, and still writes and speaks frequently on public policy issues. Jim Mitchell, who was raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, has worked as an academic, a senior public servant, and a consultant. He served 17 years in government, first as a diplomat and then as a senior official in the Privy Council Office and the Treasury Board Secretariat. Over the years he has published articles on public policy and public management and has given numerous lectures and speeches to Public Service and university audiences.
