REGINA — Kevin Lynch and James Mitchell have been named finalists for the Donner Prize for their book published by the University of Regina Press.
Lynch and Mitchell authored A New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the PMO, and the Public Service, which has been shortlisted for the award recognizing the best Canadian public policy book.
Donner jury chair André Beaulieu said the titles showcase “fractures and fault lines in Canadian public life” and are essential reading for Canadians.
In their book, Lynch and Mitchell reflect on years of senior public service, examining Canada’s governance challenges.
“[The] underperformance is not simply a matter of ideology or bad luck; it is a structural problem, rooted in how the federal government is designed, managed and held to account,” states a news release.
In under 200 pages, the jury notes Lynch and Mitchell link the governance architecture to procurement delays, productivity stagnation and service breakdowns, while also proposing reforms.
University of Regina Press director of publications Marcel DeCoste said the book is “a welcome breath of fresh air in today’s overheated political atmosphere. Lucid, informed, solution-centred, this well-reasoned and accessible volume offers Canadians a helpful map for charting progress in a frequently disorienting political landscape.”
The winner of the 2025–2026 Donner Prize will be announced at a gala in Toronto on May 14.
