Ottawa’s Encouraging New Direction: Citizen-Centred Renewal

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The Carney government has set out a bold and urgent vision for the country—one that calls for renewed focus and faster, better, and more cost-effective execution of government services.

A more subtle point is its promotion of a governing approach that is more citizen-centred. This is music to our ears at the Institute for Collaborative Innovation (ICI), as it aligns with our organizational mission to promote citizen-centred innovation.

The new direction is revealed in the Prime Minister’s Mandate Letter to ministers and the Clerk of the Privy Council’s note to the public services.

The Mandate Letter to Ministers outlines seven key missions, including building affordable housing, reducing living costs, and ensuring Canadians’ safety and security. It calls for the government to become “much more productive by deploying AI at scale”, and urges ministers to have a disciplined focus on core priorities. Taken together, these priorities reflect a shift toward outcomes-based policy rooted in citizen impact.

The Letter from the Clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Sabia, to the public service takes steps towards operationalizing the new government’s vision by setting expectations for how government institutions must evolve. It highlights three guiding principles: focus, simplify, and accountability. Sabia stresses the urgency of reform, stressing that: “when processes get too onerous, they can also obscure what really matters most and why we are all here: to have an impact for the benefit of Canadians.” Finally, he calls for institutional and personal accountability, stating that: “From the advice we give ministers to the decisions we take in running departments and programs to the services we provide to Canadians … we need to have a sense of personal accountability for what we do.” The Clerk encourages rigorous debate as a path to the best solutions and decisions.

Together, these two statements form a compelling roadmap for public sector renewal. To a significant extent, the new policy direction appears to place the needs of the citizen as the beacon that should guide reforms and policy actions. As the government undertakes a comprehensive review to reduce expenditures and enhance efficiencies, it should be guided by this philosophy. Whether a government program or Department serves citizen needs effectively should be the critical test that determines if, and the extent to which, resources are dedicated to it.   

At ICI, we believe the best path forward lies in unlocking innovation in all its forms, from all corners of society, building smarter and more inclusive institutions, and using evidence, technology, and collaboration to improve people’s lives. If a government program fails the public interest test, it has no place on the public purse. Will the federal government’s upcoming budget reflect its stated values? Let’s wait and see