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The Politics of Wellbeing pp 143–167Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Challenging the Dominant Economic Narrative Through Alternative Wellbeing Indicators: The Canadian Experience

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Part of the book series: Wellbeing in Politics and Policy ((WPP))

Abstract

This chapter examines the experience with beyond-GDP measurement in Canada , a country that has made significant contributions to wellbeing research and new prosperity indicators. While some advocates of beyond-GDP measurement argue that it is key to shifting societal priorities away from economic growth toward sustainability, equity, and wellbeing, others are motivated by a vision of better policy making without challenging the growth paradigm. In either case, is there evidence to date that alternative wellbeing indicators have lived up to their supporters’ expectations? The chapter draws on interviews with researchers, NGO leaders, public-sector officials, and politicians involved in developing or advocating use of new wellbeing indicators in Canada. It assesses the evolution of beyond-GDP measurements, their limited impacts, and obstacles to their use in Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Anders Hayden & Jeffrey Wilson

Authors
  1. Anders Hayden
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  2. Jeffrey Wilson
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Correspondence to Anders Hayden .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Politics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    Ian Bache

  2. Department of Politics, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom

    Karen Scott

Appendix: Interviewees

Appendix: Interviewees

Anielski , Mark. Director and Co-founder, Genuine Wealth Inc., 11 June 2014

Bevan-Baker , Peter. Member of Legislative Assembly, Green Party leader, Prince Edward Island, 22 July 2015

Charles, Anthony. Saint Mary’s University, 23 June 2014

Jordan, Joe . Former Member of Parliament, 8 July 2015

Martin, Paul . Former Prime Minister and Finance Minister, 18 June 2014

Messinger, Hans. Former Director, Statistics Canada, 19 August 2014

Nickerson, Mike . Director, 7th Generation Initiative, 9 June 2015

O’Neill, Dan . Ecological economist, University of Leeds, 4 July 2014

Pascal, Charles. University of Toronto; former Executive Director, Atkinson Charitable Foundation, 15 August 2014

Pennock, Mike. Senior Epidemiologist, Office of the Provincial Health Officer, BC Ministry of Health, 27 June 2014

Romanow, Roy . Former Saskatchewan Premier and Advisory Board Chair, Canadian Index of Wellbeing, 27 November 2014

Scott, Katherine. VP Research & Policy, Canadian Council on Social Development, 5 August 2015

Smale, Bryan . Director, Canadian Index of Wellbeing, 15 August 2014

Taylor, Amy. Chief Operating Officer, Green Analytics, 19 June 2014

Two interviewees who requested anonymity: a federal public servant, 19 June 2014, and an NGO researcher, 19 & 20 June 2014

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Hayden, A., Wilson, J. (2018). Challenging the Dominant Economic Narrative Through Alternative Wellbeing Indicators: The Canadian Experience. In: Bache, I., Scott, K. (eds) The Politics of Wellbeing . Wellbeing in Politics and Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58394-5_7

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