Evidence Based Policy Making and the Realities of Politics

As Canada faces a long list of complex problems, we increasingly look to the evidence to help formulate our policy response. Not every response, however, is politically acceptable. Politics is chaotic, messy, and often driven by emotion. Even when good answers to problems present themselves – it may be difficult to implement due to political realities.

How do you bridge that divide and deal with that tension?

On Friday, Feb. 4, Laurier’s Department of Political Science were honoured to host a virtual visit by the Hon. Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, to address this question. Ambassador Rae has a long and distinguished career of public service. He served as Ontario’s 21st Premier, interim leader of the federal Liberal Party and is a noted author, speaker, negotiator, and diplomat.

Watch Premier Rae’s presentation and exchange with Laurier’s Political Science students and faculty (password: &^2arw%h).