Transcript
Transcript: Innovative Approaches to Policy Development
[00:00:01 The following text appears on screen: "Innovative Approaches to Policy Development – With Serge Bijimine, Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy, Transport Canada"]
[00:00:09 Serge Bijimine appears on screen.]
Serge Bijimine: My name is Serge Bijimine, I am the Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy at Transport Canada, and I am also the Policy Community Champion for the Government of Canada.
[00:00:20 The following text appears on the screen: "What's new in the landscape in which public servants work nowadays?"]
There are a lot of new things, but a lot of things are the same. Then the difference is everything is happening at the same time right now. Five years ago, it was okay, climate change and then the energy transition too. And that was just before COVID hit. So, it was really like one big piece at a time. COVID happened and essentially the difference is that in 2024, there are all these pieces, and it's all at the same time. So, it is a new concept of polycrises that we are doing everything, all at the same time. And the other difference that I also noticed is that often . . . when you're in crisis mode, well you operate in crisis mode.
And that, I think, is perhaps one of the mistakes we are making. The best thing to do when you're in crisis mode is to think in the longer term, then take a step back and be able to see the whole picture and then take a little more time.
Because if you operate in crisis mode 100% of the time, you realize that you're solving one crisis, but in solving one crisis, you're creating another. Then you're just going to spend your time going from crisis to crisis to crisis, if you don't take the time to just take a breath and then look and think in the longer term. That's what I would say; also the environment has changed. It's an environment of "crisis management by policy" instead of thinking in the longer term, 10, 15, 20 years.
[00:02:49 The following text appears on the screen: "How are traditional policy approaches not up to today's challenges?"]
One of the issues I see is that the way we approach the world of policy and how we look at problems has remained the same. And the difference is that... we talk about polycrises, but we also talk about the fact that the changes we are experiencing are more frequent and they are happening even faster than ever. So the time when you could take 18 months, 24 months, to create the perfect policy and then the perfect framework, it's over. By the time you've finished creating your framework, your policy, all the . . . the basis you've focused on, are no longer valid. So, it's really an opportunity to think in the longer term, but to move a little faster and remain flexible to adjust when it comes to implementation.
[00:03:56 The following text appears on the screen: "What does the phrase 'policy innovation' mean to you?"]
Well, it's very important to me. What does that mean? It's about giving space and also protection to the team so that they can make mistakes. Innovation equals mistakes, so the two go hand in hand. So, I would definitely say, we need to create a space to protect the team so they can learn from their mistakes. There is no innovation, no matter what sector it is in, that did not begin with mistakes.
Often, the best innovations are mistakes! Literally, mistakes along the way. So, allowing those mistakes and then allowing experimentation. Something I've learned in my career is that you can't control innovation. All you can do is create the environment, then protect people. But you can't manage innovation, it's not something that can be managed, not at all.
[00:04:09 The following text appears on the screen: "How can policy analysts find opportunities for innovation?"]
The challenge in public service is to be able to innovate in the environment in which we live. And I think what is needed, is a little skill to be able to work the system. When I say, "work the system", it's about being able to make sure that we do check-ins when necessary so that we can have the flexibility to continue to do the projects. . . and then to innovate in the way that we want to do it. The fact is that it is truly an art to be able to be innovative in the public service, and it is an art that not everyone has been able to achieve. And it depends on several factors, and there are many factors that are beyond the control of many people.
[00:05:50 The following text appears on the screen: "Can you share an example of success achieved through adaptive policymaking?"]
One of the examples I have is what we did recently with the airline industry. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, the airline industry was completely shut down. And we had two choices—well, three choices, either we could keep it closed, open it completely, or take an adaptive method.
So, what we chose was an adaptive method, that is, we open it up a little, we learn, we adjust our policies. We open another international piece, we learn, we adjust our policies, and then we do it deliberately. So, I would say that this is an example. And it's been . . . there have been successes, there have been failures, but it's allowed us to be able to adjust and adapt very, very, very quickly.
[00:06:50 The following text appears on the screen: "What practical advice would you give to aspiring political leaders?"]
I would tell them to have a good network, first of all. And secondly, I would tell them like don't hesitate -- go for it. And managers love analysts who show them new ideas, who bring them new stuff and then who want to help. Then if you have a good network, it will allow us to know where we can help. And secondly, it will also allow you to know how we can help.
Make sure you work for someone who reflects the same values as you. So, if you are an innovative person, you want to work for a manager who is innovative. This is number one. Number two, never hesitate to want to help. Everyone, they always want, then they will always accept that someone will come to help them. So, if you offer your help, one, you'll be a very good colleague, and two, you'll be able to learn a lot about who does what and see where the opportunities are. And if you're truly innovative, your way of thinking will lead to new solutions and new ways of doing business. So, these are the two pieces of advice I have.
