Dana-Marie Ramjit (University of Calgary)
The Canadian public sector operates within a multifaceted multilevel governance framework, wherein various crises—such as economic instability, climate change, and intergovernmental conflicts reveal the inadequacies of conventional hierarchical governance structures. This presentation investigates the applicability of heterarchical governance, defined by distributed authority, multiscalarity, and polycentric collaboration, as a robust framework for enhancing crisis response and governance efficacy. From Canada’s climate policy, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to Indigenous self-governance in emergency management, this presentation analyzes how governance networks adapt to crises in the absence of centralized authority. The discussion interprets the benefits of heterarchical models, including heightened flexibility, decentralized decision-making, and innovative problem-solving, while also addressing the challenges they pose, such as policy fragmentation, jurisdictional conflicts, and disparities in crisis response across various governance levels. By integrating insights from networked governance, postinternational theory, and the concept of fragmegration of political authority, this presentation posits that Canada’s crisis governance must transcend rigid federal-provincial hierarchies in favor of adaptive, hybrid governance structures that actively engage non-state actors, Indigenous authorities, and local governments. The presentation concludes with strategic recommendations for institutionalizing collaborative and flexible governance mechanisms, thereby enhancing Canada’s capacity to effectively navigate complex crises in an increasingly uncertain political and economic landscape.