Kael Kropp

Kael Kropp

PhD Student at McGill University studying Canadian politics, public policy, and urban governance.

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portfolio

publications

The Role of Canadian City Managers: In Their Own Words

Published in Canadian Journal of Political Science, 2024

In this highly original volume, editors Michael Fenn, Gordon McIntosh and David Siegel assemble a comprehensive and long overdue glimpse into the complex and dynamic role of city managers across Canada. Featuring chapters authored by seasoned city managers and municipal chief administrative officers, this book meticulously explores the challenges and strategic engagements that define modern municipal management. Each contributor shares candid narratives from their professional lives, providing a practical perspective that bridges the gap between theoretical frameworks and the realities of municipal governance.

Recommended citation: Kael Kropp. (2024). "The Role of Canadian City Managers: In Their Own Words." Canadian Journal of Political Science. 57(3). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008423924000209.

The Political Character of Agency and Board Appointments in Alberta

Published in Canadian Journal of Political Science, 2025

Agencies, boards, and commissions (ABCs) in Canada are an extension of the executive and administrative state, yet they have a distinct character and set of governance dynamics compared to the conventional public service. ABCs are often conceived to deliver a particular service or regulate or adjudicate matters with some distance from the government of the day, yet (perhaps counter-intuitively) are among the few remaining sites of patronage-like appointments in Canada. This article compiles ABC appointment data (N = 2,248) from the Province of Alberta over two distinct periods—the Notley government (2015-2019) and the Kenney/Smith governments (2019-2024)—to explore the extent and patterns of politicization. We find mixed evidence that appointments to ABCs with more formal autonomy are more likely to be politicized, but more robust evidence that the conservative party appointees tend to be more often politically-connected, particularly in ABCs that reside in policy areas of priority for the appointing government, and in particular in crown corporations and regulatory agencies.

Recommended citation: Carey Doberstein, Katelynn Kowalchuk, & Kael Kropp. (Accepted). "The political character of agency and board appointments in Alberta." Canadian Journal of Political Science.

talks

teaching

Teaching experience 1

Undergraduate course, University 1, Department, 2014

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Teaching experience 2

Workshop, University 1, Department, 2015

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