Conclusion to “Re-Setting the Public Service of Canada”: Resonances, Sustaining Reform, and Fostering Collaborative Research

Abstract

This article considers the implications of the contributions to the special issue on “Re-Setting the Public Service of Canada.” It first reflects on the reform directions proposed by contributors, the extent to which they resonate, and identifies overarching themes. It then considers the complexity of furthering and sustaining reform in large public-sector systems, arguing that monitoring progress and motivating public servants will challenge governments and central agencies, especially during times of turbulence and disruption, and that the responsibility for monitoring progress should be more fully shared with Parliament and external observers. This will require investments to improve external reporting and support more systematic, applied and collaborative research from universities and think tanks with public servants, which would lead to fostering a new culture of public sector oversight and a larger community of applied researchers addressing public service issues.