How do you make policy, good policy, in a crisis? That’s the question on everyone’s minds, as all levels of government try to find ways of putting out fires without sparking new ones. You have to be quick. You have to actually be able to make your policies happen. And you have to be responsive when citizens tell you what’s not working.

Jennifer Robson knows this. She’s an associate professor in the Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management at Carleton University, and an expert on social policy, tax policy and financial inclusion. Her plain-language guide on accessing the COVID-19 benefits has been picked up by media outlets, think tanks and citizens’ groups alike.

She joined the podcast last Wednesday, April 8th, to discuss how Canada is faring on these policy-making goals, and how we can better support those most at risk.

Download for free. New episodes every other week. Tweet your questions and comments to @IRPP or @jbugiel.

The inner workings of government
Keep track of who’s doing what to get federal policy made. In The Functionary.
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This article is part of the The Coronavirus Pandemic: Canada’s Response special feature.

Photo: Shutterstock, by GoodStudio.

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