Governance Options for a Canadian Northern Corridor

Abstract

Governance issues deserve to be considered at an early stage of CNC development in order to facilitate decision-making processes on substantive questions, such as corridor routing, Indigenous consultation and oversight. Since CNC implementation will include a large stakeholder network, developing different governance scenarios is essential to creating a broad consensus on key policy issues.

In this paper, the governance process is divided into four main stages: i) Developing the initial policy framework; ii) Deciding on a corridor route; iii) Reviewing and implementing project proposals; and iv) Managing ongoing operations and oversight. For each stage, different governance options are outlined and then critically examined.

The analytical lens throughout the paper concentrates on the broad stakeholder network which informs the policy options, thus considering several scenarios with a significant focus on the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and communities. In order to ground the discussion, the paper develops five operating principles which also serve as best governance practices in the context of the CNC. These principles are based on the policy implementation conditions presented by Sabatier and Mazmanian (1979); namely, a sound initial policy framework; unambiguous implementation processes and transparent policy directives; an inclusive stakeholder network recognizing different interests; awareness of time-frames in the sense that CNC development will transcend electoral cycles; and project implementation is not undermined by changing political or socio-economic circumstances.

Keywords: Canadian Northern Corridor, governance framework, policy implementation, stakeholder relations, infrastructure development, Canadian north and near north, Indigenous Peoples