Like all advanced countries, Canada relies on well-designed and competently administered government policies, programs and services for the effective functioning of its economy and society. While politicians decide on the direction and tone of government action, it is public servants who support them in shaping policy and delivering services.

Globalization and unprecedented population mobility, growing demands for inclusion and declining trust in institutions require public service leaders who can marshal resources and leverage rapidly changing technology so that Canada remains in the front ranks of advanced societies. In the Certificate Program in Public Sector Leadership and Governance, our aims are to foster in leaders an awareness of this complex and dynamic world and build a mature capacity to learn and adapt constantly despite the daily frenzy.

These challenges, and many others, are occurring while experienced public service leaders continue to retire in historically high numbers. New leaders are challenged to step up quickly and make sense of today’s crises and the longer-term issues that lie beneath the surface. We understand that few senior executives will take up their roles with all the knowledge and skills they need to thrive and succeed in this world. We see our challenge as providing an environment in which senior leaders can prepare themselves for the greater responsibilities that come with top public service positions.  

The Certificate Program has two parts: 

1. the first focuses on public sector management and governance, and 
2. the second on the world and Canada’s place in it. 

Both parts emphasize leadership and the good use of evidence in shaping advice and action. We also incorporate topics of accelerating importance, such as Technological Change and Indigenous Reconciliation.

The Program concerns itself throughout with the key leadership competencies identified by the federal Treasury Board Secretariat (2016): 

• the ability to create vision and strategy, 
• to mobilize people, 
• uphold integrity and respect; 
• collaborate with partners and stakeholders; 
• achieve results, and 
• promote innovation and guide change. 

Our goal is to provide a learning environment in which participants can prepare themselves to assume greater responsibility at the levels of Assistant Deputy Minister or Director-General, or their equivalents.

Our Program is practical, not academic. There are no exams, marks or degrees. What we emphasize is “how things really work.” Because this priceless tacit knowledge is seldom written, we probe it through conversation with exceptional practitioners who generously share what their experience has taught them. We understand that these insights have many different facets, and our sessions offer multiple overlapping perspectives on executive leadership in the public sector. By the end of the program, we find that participants have internalized the crucial principles, in effect, the “accumulated wisdom”.

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The normal two-year cost for the Program is $40,000, which covers tuition, instructional materials, on-site meals for Ottawa sessions, and coaching. Sponsoring organizations also need to cover participants’ travel and accommodation costs for the three study tours, and any sessions outside Ottawa. 

The Program fee of $40,000 is payable in 

1. one installment of $40,000 or 
2. two installments of $20,000.

Participants not based in the National Capital Region will be responsible for similar costs when attending the regular sessions, but may be assisted by reimbursement of normal travel and accommodation costs of up to $10,000.