With over three decades of experience in Canada’s public service, Neil Bouwer brings an unmatched depth of insight to his role as Visiting Professor of Practice at the Max Bell School of Public Policy. His career spans key central agencies like the Privy Council Office, Finance Canada, and the Treasury Board Secretariat, as well as regulatory bodies and line departments—giving him a panoramic view of how public policy is shaped and implemented in Canada.Â
At Max Bell, Bouwer is helping the next generation of public policy leaders understand not only the theory behind good policymaking but the nuanced, fast-moving practice of it. “What excites me about Max Bell is the blend of academic training with practitioner-informed learning,” he explains. “We don’t just teach what good policy looks like—we show how it actually gets done.”Â
This balance comes through in courses like Cabinet Decision-Making and the Policymaking Process, and Writing Effective Briefing Notes, as well as new frontiers such as Prompting Strategies for Generative AI in Public Policy. In the fall, Bouwer leads students to Ottawa for the School’s signature How Ottawa Works experience, where students gain first-hand exposure to ministers, deputy ministers, senior public servants, parliamentarians, and members of the press. “No matter where you want to work in government, it’s critical to understand how decisions are made,” he says.
Bouwer also plays a hands-on role as a Policy Lab coach. In this capstone course, students tackle real-world policy challenges from inception to final recommendation. “It simulates the actual experience of developing and advocating for a policy,” Bouwer says. “Having coaches who have done the work themselves brings an authenticity that’s hard to replicate.”Â
In addition to teaching, Bouwer dedicates time to mentoring students, particularly those considering careers in the public service. Drawing on his extensive experience in economic, social, international, and domestic policy, he offers guidance on career pathways, helping students align their interests with opportunities across various sectors and levels of government. He values the one-on-one conversations that allow students to articulate their goals and receive feedback informed by decades of practice. “I spend a lot of time helping students figure out what they want to do and how to get there,” he notes. “It’s one of the most rewarding parts of the job.”Â
For Bouwer, equipping students with strong writing, communication, collaboration, and analytical skills is at the heart of preparing them to thrive professionally. Whether it’s an elevator pitch or a fully researched policy memo, he encourages clarity, strategic thinking, and practical grounding. “The work of public policy is not just about good ideas—it’s about making those ideas happen,” he says. “That’s what we’re preparing students to do.”Â
Neil Bouwer’s extensive public service background, combined with his dedication to practical, skills-based teaching, makes him a vital asset to the Max Bell School of Public Policy. By grounding students in both the realities of government decision-making and the fundamentals of effective policy communication, he ensures they are well-equipped to navigate and contribute to complex policy environments. His work not only enriches the academic experience but also strengthens the bridge between public policy education and real-world practice.Â
Neil Bouwer is a Professor of Practice at the Max Bell School and the former Vice-President of the Innovation and Skills Development Branch at the Canada School of Public Service. He has also served as an Assistant Deputy Minister at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Privy Council Office of Canada; and in executive positions at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada. He has also worked at the Department of Finance and Western Economic Diversification Canada, and has Economics degrees from 51łÔąĎÍř and St. Thomas University. For many years Neil actively supported the Government of Canada policy and data communities, the Advanced Policy Analyst Program and the Free Agent HR Program. Neil is excited to bring his many years of Public Service experience to his work at the Max Bell School of Public Policy.
