Public managers rely on many types of research to stay on top of our constantly
changing government workplace. Basic research lays down a solid foundation of
understanding by describing and explaining the world in which public managers live.
Applied research adds a practical edge by drawing out the decision-making implications
of research findings. Action-research takes this practicality a step further. It provides
timely and concrete advice to pressing challenges; advice that speaks to managers’ lived
experience. It does this by involving managers at every stage of the research process.
In short, it aims to take inquiry out of the research shop and move it onto the
workplace floor — a key feature of a public service organization that learns.
This guide comes from CCMD’s third wave of Action-Research Roundtables. This
year our discussions with managers brought to light three research areas:
• Crisis Management
• e-Learning
• Official Languages in the Workplace
These topics relate directly to the day-to-day challenges managers face and are of
strategic importance to the Public Service as a whole.
This manager’s guide on crisis and emergency management is the result of the Action-
Research Roundtable on Crisis Management. It fills an important gap by providing a
current and accessible perspective of crisis and emergency management in the context
of the Government of Canada. The guide builds upon the work of others within the
Public Service of Canada such as the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and
Emergency Preparedness, the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Privy Council Office.
It has been designed to complement the Communications Policy of the Government of
Canada and the Integrated Risk Management Framework which are instrumental for efficient
crisis and emergency management.
I am confident that you will find this guide a path-breaking contribution to our on-
going journey to make the Public Service of Canada an institution recognized for its
value-added to the Canadian society.
I would like to thank the Roundtable’s Chair, André Gladu, former Deputy Minister of
Canada Economic Development, for his commitment and leadership. I also applaud
the invaluable contribution of the Roundtable members who volunteered their time
and expertise because they believe in the importance of improving the practices in the
field of crisis and emergency management.
Jocelyne Bourgon
                               President, CCMD