Congratulations to the 2025 winning teams of the National Student Case Competition!
The Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) extends its sincere congratulations to all of the winning teams, and a hearty thanks to all teams that participated in the 2025 competition.
This year, 14 teams participated in the competition online hosted by the Carleton University’s School of Public Policy & Administration.
This year's winning teams are:
Shepherd Prize : Concordia University
Silver Prize : University of Toronto
Bronze Prize : York University and the University of Calgary
This year's case study is :
It’s a Question of Ethics: RTO and Public Service Culture. CAPPA Case 2025
Full presentations will soon be available in English and French on the CAPPA-ACPAP website.
The competition continues to be a collaborative effort, with national leadership, financial support, and coordination provided by the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA). We are grateful to the great technical support at Baseline Communications for continuing to make the online competition possible.
Thanks also to the previous host, the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School at the University of Regina/Saskatchewan, for ensuring seamless continuity as CAPPA assumed the hosting role this year. Sponsorship support was provided by the Institute of Research on Public Policy, IRPP (Policy Options). Additional support was provided by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). The generosity of these sponsors and supporters is appreciated and ensures that this outstanding opportunity continues to be available to CAPPA Members.
The National Annual Public Administration Student Case Competition is organized annually by CAPPA with annual and committed support by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), and the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP). Member schools of CAPPA are invited to compete in the competition with the aim of highlighting the excellence of Canadian public administration and public policy programs and their students. Each year, the competition brings together the best and brightest students.
Participants are organized into teams of four presenters and one alternate which are presented with a "real world" and current public administration case, with accompanying background material. They work together to develop the best solution to the case study questions and problem over a 10-day period. There is one round of competition held the third Saturday in February. Individual schools usually put together their teams in the fall term, either by direct invitation of the coaches or through a run-off competition. For more information on the format of the competition, please consult the rules and procedures.
The judging panel is selected from senior officials, many of whom have some attachment or familiarity with the case study. The competition has attracted judges from federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, private sector and nonprofit organizations. The competition has been very fortunate to have been able to attract very influential and talented officials who wish to support the experience of students entering what has become one of CAPPA's most important events in the year. The competition is also very well supported by faculty coaches and mentors who give generously of their time and experience, most often in ways not replicated in classroom experience.
Teams then develop 30-minute presentations that are made to a panel of judges. An assessment rubric will be provided before work begins, and time limits are strictly enforced.
Quality of the presentations is always high. A list of winners is available on our Honour Roll page.
Past Cases and the Results of past Competitions
2025 Case Competition
CAPPA Case Competition Gold Medal name change
Web Event – Insights on Exploring a Career in the Federal Public Service
2024 Case Competition
2023 Case Competition
