New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service

Kevin G Lynch

Book cover for New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service
Book cover for New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service
Image for variant 9781779401113
Image for variant 9781779401120
Book cover for New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service
Book cover for New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service
Image for variant 9781779401113
Image for variant 9781779401120

New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service

New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the Pmo, and the Public Service

Kevin G Lynch

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Description

2025 DONNER PRIZE FINALIST

Is the Canadian government contributing to its own underperformance? An insider's guide to steering our nation toward greater efficiency

Canada is struggling. Our growth is anemic, our standard of living is stagnant, our housing is unaffordable, and our health care system is nearing a breaking point. To make matters worse, the government fails to deliver core services and avoid management fiascos like the ArriveCan and Phoenix scandals.

These failures are systemic and interconnected. What connects them is a fatal flaw in how the federal government operates, makes decisions, and takes action. Power has shifted from Cabinet to the Prime Minister and Prime Minister's Office with political staff taking on a larger role relative to the Public Service, and parliament has lost its ability to call the elected government to account.

With 50 years of combined experience in leadership positions in government, authors Lynch and Mitchell offer an expert's perspective on how to restore accountability and rebuild a culture of excellence by proposing a new blueprint for reshaping government. As Canadians face uncertainties at home and abroad, these practical and straightforward recommendations offer a path forward to ensure our nation's prosperity.

About the Author

Kevin Lynch, who hails from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, started his career at the Bank of Canada. This led to a 33-year career in government that included leadership roles as Clerk of the Privy Council, Deputy Minister of Finance, and Deputy Minister of Industry. Post government, Dr. Lynch served as Vice Chair of BMO, was active on numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards, and still writes and speaks frequently on public policy issues.

Jim Mitchell, who was raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, has worked as an academic, a senior public servant, and a consultant. He served 17 years in government, first as a diplomat and then as a senior official in the Privy Council Office and the Treasury Board Secretariat. Over the years he has published articles on public policy and public management and has given numerous lectures and speeches to Public Service and university audiences.

Critical Reviews

""A gem of a book on public policy and Canadian government at a time when Canada is especially in need of a reflective analysis.""--Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, 2010-17

""A must read for Canadians concerned with the issues facing our country and risks to our future prosperity.""--M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, OC, AOE, FRSC, FCAE, President Emerita, University of Calgary and Corporate Director

""This is the public policy book I have been waiting for! Lynch and Mitchell have laid out with clarity the challenges that Canada now faces in a changing world and some practical ways to meet them. The book's breadth and depth reflect the experience and understanding of the authors. This book should be prescribed reading for ministers and senior officials in Canada's 'new government.' We have no time to lose!""--Honourable John P. Manley P.C., O.C., former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada

""Lynch and Mitchell are the most experienced and qualified people to write such a book, having been at the centre of power serving several prime ministers over many years. I would suggest the new pm read it--it could save the new government many mistakes.""--Paul Tellier, Retired CEO of CN Railways

""A New Blueprint for Government is a tour de force that will anchor debates about the functioning and the effectiveness of the Canadian government. With characteristic verve, Lynch and Mitchell present bold, informed, and lucid arguments on a fundamental topic--and suggest ways that will encourage optimists to believe it is possible.""--Pierre Lortie, former President and CEO of the Montreal Stock Exchange and President and COO of Bombardier Transport

Publishing Information

Publisher: University of Regina Press
Pub date: 2025-11-04
Length: 218 pages

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