PUBLIC VALUE – GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS FOR CREATING PUBLIC VALUE

Abstract of a Paper By Professor H. Ian Macdonald York University Toronto, Canada Public Value: A Review of the Experience in Canada and the Evolving Public-Private Interface Public Value is a by-product of the culture,... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract of a Paper
By
Professor H. Ian Macdonald
York University
Toronto, Canada

Public Value: A Review of the Experience in Canada
and the Evolving Public-Private Interface

Public Value is a by-product of the culture, institutional history and the electorate’s expectations of the public sector. In Canada, this is particularly true in the light of our founding constitution which promises “peace, order and good government”. There is an expectation that government will ensure that basic services are available to all Canadians whether the chosen delivery system is directly by government departments or agencies, or by the private sector under government policy control and regulation. Although there is an evolving process of program evaluation and performance management by all governments in Canada, much less attention has been directed at the best form of governance to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of public services. Too often this has been the by-product of mythology and ideology rather than evidence-based empirical research and due diligence. As a result, there can by excessive public expenditure on methodologies which yield disappointing results and retard progress in meeting public needs. In turn, this has undermined public confidence both in the policy process and the delivery agencies.
The paper will provide a number of examples from the Canadian experience which, hopefully, can lead to comparative discussions relative to the situation in other jurisdictions.