The 13th Annual CAPPA Conference
Theme: Intergovernmental relations: a vision for Canada’s future?
May 21 and 22, 2025
Hosted by École nationale d’administration publique (ÉNAP)
Location: Online
Conference registration is now available on the ACPAP website under the registration tab.
A complete version of the conference program is available under the program tab.
Intergovernmental relations are at the heart of Canada’s political functioning. The coordination of programs, public policies, and jurisdictions between the federal government, the provinces, and municipalities is essential to ensuring effective governance and responding to contemporary issues. To better understand these dynamics, CAPPA is pleased to invite you to its 13th annual conference, which will explore the future of intergovernmental relations in Canada.
Our conference will bring together researchers – doctoral students and scholars – who study the various dimensions that characterize interactions between levels of government.
Multi-level governance
Canada is a unique federation, where the jurisdictions of the various levels of government are set out in the Constitution. The federal government, the provinces and territories, and municipalities all play a fundamental role in serving and supporting citizens. But this work does not go smoothly.
Some policy issues, such as health, social housing, education and the environment, economic development and the fight against homelessness, require constant cooperation between municipalities, provinces and the federal government. However, this cooperation occurs within a legal, political, and financial framework that is often more of a source of tension than a mechanism for facilitating collaborative work.
Current critical issues
The conference will address several key and pressing issues shaping intergovernmental relations in Canada today and invites you to submit your proposal for a panel or individual presentation.
An open call
ACAPAP also welcomes proposals for panels and individual presentations that are not directly related to the conference theme but are still relevant to public administration, public management and public policy.
An event not to be missed!
To submit a proposal:
📅 Submission close: March 18th
📅 Response from the committee: March 24th
📅 Paper or presentation submission: May 5th
Fill in the form under the submissions tab.
Conference Attendance:
📅 Date of the conference: May 21 and 22
📍 Location: Online
📝 Registration: To register, simply visit our registration tab.
More details will be posted soon on the CAPPA website and X/LinkedIn.
Proposal for the Townhall Meeting
The future of the CAPPA/ACPAP annual conference
The annual CAPPA/ACPAP conference is one of the organization’s flagship activities, which the CAPPA/ACPAP community cherishes. However, in recent years—particularly since the pandemic and containment—it has become challenging to mobilize members who volunteer to organize the conference within their university. Recruiting participants has also become increasingly complex.
CAPPA’s Executive Committee is, therefore, inviting all who care about this event to a free online town hall meeting on the future of our annual conference.
This town hall meeting aims to enable the CAPPA community to reflect together on the future of the CAPPA annual conference. More specifically, the CAPPA community will be invited to consider the conference’s modalities, location, format, organization, and strategies for generating interest in organizing and participating.
📅 Date: May 22 at 2:00 p.m. (ET)
📍 Location: Online
📝 Registration: To register free of charge, simply visit our registration tab.
Proceedings of the Townhall meeting: Program information is available under the program tab.
About the Annual Conferences
The Annual CAPPA Conference brings together scholars and students sharing an interest in public administration, public policy, and public management to consider new developments affecting teaching, research, and practice. Presenters share work in varying stages with audiences who engage in lively conversation and provide constructive feedback. Plenary sessions highlight key issues of interest to the public administration and policy community. CAPPA hosts its Annual General Meetings during the conference. The Spring conference is hosted by CAPPA member institutions, and the location varies from year to year. Look for Calls for Papers, Panels, and for participation in the Research Exchange in December/January!
For an overview of previous years’ achievements:
Sponsors:
Acknowledgments
The Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) is pleased to announce that its Annual CAPPA Conference has been selected for $10,000 in funding under the Call for Proposals for Scientific Events and Outreach Activities supported by the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue 2025-2026.
” The Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue supports the work of uOttawa researchers and institutes engaged in finding solutions to complex public policy challenges facing governments in Canada and the world. ”
CAPPA warmly thanks the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) and the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue for their support.
CAPPA is grateful for the support of the Centre on Governance (COG) and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa for their financial, logistical and human ressources commitment.
” The mandate of the Centre on Governance is to work with organizations to better understand governance mechanisms in order to analyze implementation problems and provide better services. ”
Promotional offers
Air Canada Flight Reservations
The Canadian Association of Public Administration Programs (CAPAP) is pleased to announce that Air Canada is the preferred airline for the 2026 Annual Conference.
To book your flights: visit aircanada.com
Promotional code: W233NA81
Conditions:
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Ottawa, YOW (CA)
- The travel period begins Wednesday, May 13, 2026 and ends Thursday, May 28, 2026.
- Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- For North America’ 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel’ 10% on standard fares & higher. 12% discount on Business Class fares (exception: 5% on the lowest Business Class).
- However, all bookings made using the promotion code will count toward the minimum 10 passenger requirement for Meetings and Conventions events.
Air Canada – Terms and Conditions
VIA Rail Train Ticket Reservations
The Canadian Association of Public Administration Programs (CAPPA) is pleased to announce that VIA Rail is the major ground transportation company provider for the 2026 Annual Conference.
Reserve your tickets: https://www.viarail.ca/en
Conditions:
| VALID: | May 15th 2026 to May 26th 2026 |
| TERRITORY: | From all stations throughout the VIA system to Ottawa and return. |
| RESTRICTIONS: | Fare applies to a maximum of two passengers per booking. |
| DISCOUNT: | 10% off the best available fare in Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Business Plus, Sleeper class. “Subject to the conditions and restrictions of the fare plan to which the additional discount is being applied.” |
| EXCEPTION: | Discount does not apply in any Escape fares and Prestige Class. |
| IDENTIFICATION: | Participants must enter the event’s VIA convention discount code 15965 as a Corporate code. |
