Implementation of Policy at the Level of Government

Apart from individuals and groups and organizations, policies may be implemented at a governmental level. There are multiple avenues available through various levels of government staff and officials in which a new policy may be implemented. The beginnings of a new policy and its implementation may begin anywhere from MPs (local representatives), to public servants, to Ministers and their staff.

Members of Parliament (MPs) represent one of 301 constituencies in Canada, and allow members of their constituency to have somewhat of an indirect role in policy proposals, developments, and implementation when voting in the House of Commons. The downside of course is that MPs receive overwhelming amounts of diverse views from their constituents, and also each political party tends to vote uniformly on policy issues, leaving constituents feeling as if their views were not heard.

Another means of implementing policy at the governmental level is through Public Servants. The Canadian Public Service is "the staff or bureaucracy of the federal government". The public service has a responsibility to support Ministers by providing "loyal, professional, and non-partisan support to the government of the day". The Public Service "functions through departments, agencies, commissions, crow corporations, and other federal organizations". Public servants enact the “will of the government” through providing advice, implementing the priorities of the government, and delivering services that support Canadians.

Therefore, Ministers may be contacted directly or indirectly about inputs on policies. Ministers are "collectively and individually responsible to the House of Commons for the policies, programs, and activities of the government". Ministers look at issues from many points of view, and a letter or email is a good way for members of the public to contact Ministers. Ministers expect to hear from people in their electorate, from their departmental chief executives, policy advisors, lobby groups, media, coalition partners, and sections of the public of interest to them. Ministers are also "the cabinet’s eyes and ears about trends in the community". Ministers prepare policy briefs, and communicate with their staff, who will be analyzing the brief and advising the Minister.

Thus, in order to obtain a diverse opinions and incorporate views from members of the public and government, the implementation of policy at the level of government is a responsibility of countless individuals in general public and governmental positions with unique responsibilities at many different levels. Whether or not a new development or new policy is implemented altogether depends upon the direction and views of the current government, its staff and officials, and members of the public who have a special interest in the issue.

- L.T.