Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - POL 428 D100

Selected Topics in Canadian Government and Politics I (4)

Does the Canadian Political System Work?

Class Number: 3796

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topic:  Does the Canadian Political System Work?


Course Description:

Recent provincial elections and the upcoming Canadian election give us an opportunity to assess the Canadian political system. Governments across the world are grappling with structural, multi-faceted challenges without obvious solutions, including climate change, migration, the cost of living and demographic imbalances. Democratic systems and culture are having to respond to rapid technological change and polarization within political discourse. Can Canada’s institutions handle today’s challenges?  

On the one hand, Canadian institutions are criticized as over-centralized:  the parliamentary system, electoral system, party discipline and tax-raising powers all give the government of the day significant power. This has faced significant pushback from Indigenous governments and some provinces. On the other, Canada’s federation is often described as one of the most decentralized in the world, with a mis-match between citizens’ expectations of public services and governments’ fiscal capacity. This causes significant problems in policy delivery at both levels. Many provinces’ healthcare systems are struggling with a ageing population and post-pandemic backlogs. The federal government has faced pushback when trying to deliver on its international commitments on carbon emissions. Courts are a constraint on governments at all levels, recently affecting Indigenous rights and land title, and policy decisions on education, child welfare and healthcare.

This course will grapple with these challenges, reading the academic debates on whether power is over-centralized or too de-centralized in Canada. We will consider prescriptions for reform from political actors and think-tanks. In the second half of the course, we will apply these debates to three policy case-studies, chosen by students. What are the potential solutions to challenges in these policy areas – and how are outcomes affected by the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian system? These policy cases will lead to a mock Intergovernmental Conference, involving the different levels of government in Canada. Students will represent a particular government, pitch a policy proposal to the other governments, and negotiate solutions.

Class Format:

There will be a 3-hour in-person seminar each week, with students expected to take the lead in discussing the week’s reading. Some of the class will also be spent working on students’ research papers, and preparing for the Intergovernmental Conference, which will be held in either Week 10 or 11.

Note:  This course is combined with POL 827.

Grading

  • See "Course Assessment" below 100%

NOTES:

Course assessment:
  • Participation in seminar discussion (weekly) and mock Intergovernmental Conference (once): 15% 
  • Leading discussion, in pairs (once): 10% 
Semester-long research project:
  • 2-page policy proposal, in pairs: 10%
  • Presentation of policy proposal to Intergovernmental Conference, in pairs: 10%
  • Research paper or policy analysis (an expansion of your policy proposal). The format of this paper can be tailored to the student’s career plans, in consultation with the instructor.  35%
  • Peer review of other students’ draft papers 5%
  • Presentation of final paper: 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no textbook for this course. Readings will be academic articles and policy reports available on-line or posted on Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.