Trust, but customize: federalism's impact on the Canadian COVID-19 response. Issue 3 (19th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Migone, Andrea Riccardo
• Is Part Of: Policy & society. Volume 39:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 382
• Page End: 402
• Publication Date: 2020-06-19
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- federalism -- Canada -- policy Styles; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; Social policy -- Periodicals; Economic policy -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; Sciences de la politique -- Périodiques; Politique sociale -- Périodiques; Politique économique -- Périodiques; Relations internationales -- Périodiques; Australia -- Politics and government -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Australia -- Economic conditions -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Pacific Area -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Pacific Area -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Australie -- Politique et gouvernement -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Australie -- Conditions économiques -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pacifique, Région du -- Politique et gouvernement -- Périodiques; Pacifique, Région du -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 320.605
• DOI: 10.1080/14494035.2020.1783788
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1449-4035

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article explores how Canadian federalism, with its complex mix of competencies, and the country's punctuated gradualism policy style interface with urgent, complex decision-making like the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that while punctuated gradualism favors tailored responses to pandemic management it is weaker when coordination and resourcing are to be undertaken during non-crisis situations and that, while the level of cooperation among Canadian jurisdictions has progressively increased over the years, policy is still almost exclusively handled at the federal, provincial and territorial levels. Furthermore, the model appears to have critical 'blind spots' in terms of vulnerable communities that do not emerge as such until after a crisis hits.