Government reliance on internal policy research stifles innovation and progress in Canada.
The Public Policy Forum in Canada has observed a decline in the country's policy research capacity, especially within the federal government. They found that collaboration between government, business, and other sectors is crucial for addressing complex policy issues like deficit reduction. Changes in the policy and research environments, budget cuts, and a lack of willingness to accept external critiques have contributed to this decline. Unlike the United States, Canada has relied heavily on the federal government for funding and generating policy research, which has hindered the growth of external organizations and innovative approaches in the field.