This study of social partnerships in the establishment of labour force
development boards provides important food for thought for Canadians
interested in the continuing problem of high unemployment in Canada.
Drawing on recent theory in political science and comparative public
policy, Social Partnerships for Training considers obstacles and
opportunities associated with active labour market policies in Canada.
It takes us through some important experiments in Ontario, Quebec, and
other provinces and shows how the complexities of Canadian federalism,
Quebec nationalism, and class relations befuddle efforts at new policy
approaches. The book also highlights the importance of a lack of
political will on the part of our politicians to pursue new policy
directions. The curious fate of the development boards tells us a great
deal about how labour market policy-making in Canada actually works. The
challenge is whether we can build on what was learned about the social
partnership approach to active labour market adjustment.