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Work exploring the relationship between public opinion and public policy over time has largely been restricted to the US. However, a wider application of this line of research can provide valuable insights into whether and how representation varies across political systems. This paper takes a step in this direction using a new body of data on public opinion and government spending in Canada. Analyses reveal that the Canadian public notices and responds (thermostatically) to changes in public spending in particular domains, and also that Canadian policymakers represent these public preferences in spending. The extent and nature of public responsiveness and policy representation varies across domains. Relationships are more pronounced in certain domains, and they are more 'specific' in some domains and more 'global' in others. The findings generally accord with the results of similar work in the US and the UK, although the details differ in important ways. Indeed, the differences are strongly suggestive about the structuring role of institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1981, the United States and Canada began a series of international field experiments to test the effectiveness of feedback as a way to encourage energy conservation. Current government studies show energy consumption is again on the rise after several years of decline. The research objective was to extend current feedback research by providing information formats and presentation modes that had not been previously tested but did represent realistic public policy and/or marketplace options. Results of the experiment replicated in two U.S. and two Canadian cities provide partial support for feedback as a viable information technology for consumer learning and motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]