Canadian Review of Social Policy

Canadian Review of Social Policy

The Canadian Review of Social Policy is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal addressing social policy debates in Canada and comparative contexts involving the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, France, and Germany. It publishes interdisciplinary research drawing on empirical studies, policy analysis, and historical perspectives from contributors affiliated with institutions such as University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Queen's University, and York University. The journal has featured work engaging with issues shaped by actors like the Canadian Parliament, the Supreme Court of Canada, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

History

The journal was founded in the late 20th century during a period of intensified debate over welfare-state redesign that involved actors such as Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien, and policy milestones like the Canada Health Act. Early editors recruited contributors from networks including Canadian Labour Congress, Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and the Fraser Institute. Over successive editorial terms the title published symposia responding to high-profile events such as the 2008 financial crisis, the Charlottetown Accord, and the expansion of provincial programs in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Its archive documents debates tied to legislation and court rulings propelled by figures like Beverley McLachlin and institutions such as the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Scope and Content

The journal covers policy fields where public debates involve ministries and agencies including Health Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and provincial ministries in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Content includes research articles, policy notes, book reviews, and critical essays addressing welfare instruments promulgated under leaders such as Justin Trudeau and frameworks advanced by international organizations like the World Bank, International Labour Organization, and OECD. Frequent topics link to landmark studies and programs associated with scholars and policymakers including Gabor Maté, Stephen Lewis, Monique Begin, and institutions such as McMaster University and Université de Montréal. Comparative pieces situate Canadian policy alongside systems in Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea.

Publication and Editorial Information

The editorial board has historically included academics and practitioners from Carleton University, Dalhousie University, University of Ottawa, Simon Fraser University, and Université Laval. The journal follows peer review practices common to outlets like Canadian Journal of Political Science, Social Service Review, and Journal of European Social Policy, and adheres to ethical guidelines resonant with the Committee on Publication Ethics standards. Production and distribution have been managed through partnerships with academic presses and learned societies such as the Canadian Political Science Association and provincial social policy research networks. Special issues have been guest-edited by scholars linked to centres such as the Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs, and the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Indexing and Abstracting

The journal is indexed and abstracted in bibliographic and citation services comparable to Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and subject-specific aggregators that include databases used by libraries at Library and Archives Canada, British Library, and major North American consortia. Its articles are discoverable through platforms and catalogues associated with repositories like JSTOR, ProQuest, and institutional archives at universities such as Trent University and Wilfrid Laurier University. Citation trails often connect its content to high-impact works in outlets like The Lancet, American Journal of Public Health, and policy briefs by think tanks including C.D. Howe Institute and Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Reception and Impact

Scholars, policymakers, and advocacy organizations including United Way Centraide Canada, Canadian Mental Health Association, and labor unions such as the Canadian Union of Public Employees have cited the journal in reports and submissions to parliamentary committees. Influential articles have informed debates over programs tied to the Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and universal pharmacare proposals promoted by coalitions including the Canadian Doctors for Medicare. Academic reception positions the title alongside comparative outlets that shape discourse in courses at U of T School of Public Policy and Governance, McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, and L'Institut national de la recherche scientifique. Reviews and citations by scholars such as Michael J. Prince, Marilyn Poitras, and Bruce Ryder reflect the journal's role in shaping scholarship on policy reform, federal-provincial relations, Indigenous social policy, and socio-legal analyses driven by decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Category:Canadian academic journals Category:Social policy journals Category:Public policy journals