Manion Lecture

The Manion Lecture is the Canada School of Public Service's flagship event and an annual tradition that spans more than three decades. This premier event serves as a thought-provoking forum for addressing pressing public policy and public management issues that affect the professional roles and responsibilities of public servants at all levels.

About

Through a critical examination of prevailing assumptions, the Manion Lecture challenges orthodoxies, speaks to the future, and broadens horizons with a goal to engage and inspire

Each year, the Manion Lecture features a keynote speaker who is entrusted with addressing a pivotal topic or issue that resonates in the federal public service. A panel of distinguished guests then convenes to offer a variety of perspectives that further enrich the conversation. Together, these insights provide an exceptional opportunity to help shape the future of the public service through learning, reflection and dialogue.

In honour of the late John Lawrence Manion

Named in honour of the late John Lawrence Manion, an esteemed and accomplished federal public servant and the first principal of the Canadian Centre for Management Development (CCMD), the Manion Lecture stands as a tribute to his lasting contributions to the development of public sector leadership, which laid the foundation for the Canada School of Public Service as we know it today.

Why attend?

Attending the prestigious Manion Lecture is an exceptional opportunity to deepen one's understanding of the challenges shaping public sector management today. By engaging with thought leaders, participants will take away actionable strategies that can directly contribute to their professional development.

Additionally, attending as a group or as an established team can further amplify the learning experience by encouraging group conversations that will strengthen the team's collective understanding of key public management issues and help them navigate complex and real-world public sector challenges together.

Past and upcoming lectures

Past and upcoming lectures
Year	Speaker	Title	Video
2024	Dr. Alika Lafontaine	2024 Manion Lecture: A Discussion on the Canadian Health Care Polycrisis, with Dr. Alika Lafontaine	Video 2024 Manion Lecture: A Discussion on the Canadian Health Care Polycrisis, with Dr. Alika Lafontaine (WMT2-V32)
2023	Anil Arora	Canada's Story – Census 2021 and the Data that Define Us	Video 2023 Manion Lecture: Canada's Story – Census 2021 and the Data that Define Us (FON1-V34)
2020	Jeffrey Simpson	From Trudeau to Trudeau: Reflections from Jeffrey Simpson on 45 years in Canadian Public Affairs	Video 2020 Manion Lecture: Reflections from Jeffrey Simpson on 45 Years in Canadian Public Affairs (FON1-V19)
2018	Douglas Elmendorf	A Look at Contemporary America	Video 2018 Manion Lecture: A Look at Contemporary America (FON1-V13)
2017	His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston	Strengthening Trust in Canada: The Role of the Public Service	Video 2017 Manion Lecture: Strengthening Trust in Canada – The Role of the Public Service (FON1-V12)
2016	Dick Pound	Values and Ethics: The Mark of Effective Leadership	Video 2016 Manion Lecture: Dick Pound on Values and Ethics (FON1-V18)
2015	Helen Clark	Sustainable Development in the 21st Century: Building a Better World for All
2013	Dominic Barton	The Leadership Challenges of the 21st Century
2012	John Berry	Public Service Innovation and Transformation in Times of Fiscal Constraint
2011	Sir Gus O'Donnell	Achieving Results in the Context of Fiscal Restraint: Real‑Time Lessons from the British Experience
2010	Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon	Complexity Science and Public Policy
2008	Geoff Mulgan	Taking Public Sector Innovation Seriously
2007	Peter Shergold	Public Service Reform and Renewal
2005	Tsun-yan Hsieh	China and India: Is it too late for Canada?
2004	Jorge Castañeda	North America in the 21st Century
2003	Joseph Heath	The Myth of Shared Values in Canada
2002	Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi	Challenges for the South African Public Service in the Context of the New African Initiative
2001	Luiz Carlos Bresser-Pereira	A New Management for a State: Liberal, Social, and Republican
2000	Pierre S. Pettigrew	Seattle: The Lessons for Future Governance
1998	James Q. Wilson	Administrative Morality
1997	Peter Hennessy	The Essence of the Public Service
1996	Robert D. Putnam	The Decline of Civil Society: How Come? So What?
1995	Pierre De Celles	Managing Change: Going Around in Circles—But in the Right Direction
1994	Nancy J. Adler	Globalization, Government, and Competitiveness
1993	Marcel Massé	Partners in the Management of Canada: The Changing Role of Government and the Public Service
1992	Richard D. French	Post-Modern Government
1991	J. E. Hodgetts	Public Management: Emblem of Reform for the Canadian Public Service