Privy Council Conducts ‘Behavioural Science’ Study Among Canadians Without Disclosing Findings: Report

The Privy Council Office (PCO) has conducted “behavioral science” research with thousands of Canadians in recent years, but has not publicly disclosed its findings from the studies in an alleged violation of the Federal Accountability Act, according to a report.

Documents obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter via an information access request reportedly show that the PCO began conducting the study with Canadians in groups of 2,000 people within just weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in early 2020.

The PCO’s monthly poll was reportedly ordered by the department’s “Impact and Innovation Unit”, which the PCO say was “established to accelerate adoption of new outcomes-based policy and program approaches that deliver tangible and measurable results for Canadians.”

This is stated by the PCO in its annual report 2019-2020 report of the unit that it “shifted its focus in March 2020” when the pandemic broke out to augment the federal government’s efforts and leverage “its skills in behavioral science, public engagement, and innovative public policy design and implementation .”

The latest behavioral research poll reportedly consisted of what PCO officials called “Covid-19 Snapshot Monitoring” in a memo, which they say “provides deep insights into how citizens’ attitudes and behaviors change over time when combined with the progress of the pandemic. .”

“An academic advisory committee with expertise in infectious disease, behavioral science, public health and epidemiology provides ongoing feedback,” the memo said.

Internal records reportedly indicate that the PCO’s innovation unit has five seniors administratorsbut the department has not released details about how much the monthly behavioral science poll will cost taxpayers.

However, an internal memo stated that the unit’s findings from the investigation were for cabinet use only.

“The rich dataset can support immediate policy goals, such as more precisely targeting government messages and communications to priority areas to encourage certain behaviors,” read the memo, titled “For Internal Use Only.”

“Given the depth and breadth of the study, it may also signal longer-term implications that may require new or modified policy responses.”

The Federal Accountability Act, which passed Parliament in 2006, dictates that all public opinion research conducted or contracted by the federal government and charged to the taxpayer must be “made available to the public” within six months of its completion.

The PCO reportedly would not comment to Blacklock’s about withholding findings from the behavioral science study.

The Epoch Times has not independently reviewed the internal documents. The PCO was contacted for comment on the allegations but did not respond at time of publication.