By Julia Blackburn, Aug 22, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney is embarking upon an ambitious new mandate—including a bold objective of making government more efficient.
NPower Canada shares Prime Minister Carney’s vision: Imagine a Canada where every dollar spent on social services, employment programs, and community support is tracked, analyzed, and optimized for maximum impact. A nation where policy decisions are rooted in solid data, leading to programs that not only address immediate needs but also create lasting, positive change. This vision is not just aspirational; it’s achievable through a collaborative effort across sectors, focused on rigorous evaluation and a shared commitment to transparency.
Canadians rightly expect their government to strategically invest in initiatives that yield demonstrable results, driving both economic prosperity and enhanced social well-being. The pivotal question then becomes: how do we as a society ensure these vital government investments are truly making a tangible difference in the lives of Canadians?
The answer lies in an unwavering commitment to evidence-based programming, evaluation, and auditing—a fundamental principle that should be the bedrock of all government-funded initiatives and collaborative efforts.
In our field of workforce development, there are many organizations contracted by the government to provide training and employment services. But these initiatives should be measured not by activities, but instead, by outcomes. We advocate for evaluation based on end results—measuring the impact on job seekers’ lives, specifically whether they find jobs with growth potential; that is, jobs with improved income, benefits, and sustainability. An evidence-based approach doesn’t just count workshop attendees, micro credentials earned, or mock interviews completed. It measures whether these interventions resulted in a meaningful and sustainable job for the client.
No doubt this is a challenging goal. But it can be achieved with holistic programming and comprehensive wrap-around supports to ensure participants’ success. Working closely with corporate partners is essential, too. Their feedback ensures workforce programs are adapting and training for in-demand skills and competencies.
Moreover, a critical component of evaluation is understanding why certain programs succeed while others do not. Specifically, what parts of a program contribute most to its success? Which aspects prove ineffective? And how can the program be improved to increase employment and inclusion? Determining the answers to these questions requires rigorous evaluation to identify the most effective program elements, allowing for continuous improvement and greater equity.
That’s why NPower Canada has partnered with the Future Skills Centre and Blueprint to conduct a long-term randomized controlled trial (RCT) of our training programs in Ontario and Alberta. Early findings are promising—participants saw a 25 percentage point increase in employment rates and a 66.7 percent rise in median salary amongst those employed. It’s hard work and a lengthy process, but by following participants over time, we can assess the long-term impact of our program, make data-driven decisions about program improvements, and scale successful interventions. This is a great return on the investment of taxpayer dollars/government funding.
By embracing evidence-based programming and policy, with a focus on measurable outcomes, the Canadian government can ensure that public resources are used efficiently and effectively. This collaborative approach will not only strengthen individual programs but also contribute to a more resilient and prosperous Canada. We believe that by working together, we can build a future where every Canadian has the opportunity to thrive.