SOCIAL IMPACT BONDS IN CANADA: FROM THEORY TO IMPLEMENTATION by Arjun Langford Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, Specialization: International Studies, Carleton University, 2009 PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY In the Public Policy Program of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences © Arjun Langford, 2011 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Term (choose Fall or Spring or Summer) Year All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada , this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for Fair Dealing . Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. Approval Name: Arjun Langford Email:
[email protected] Degree: Master of Public Policy Title of Project: Social Impact Bonds in Canada: From Theory to Implementation Supervisory Committee: Jonathan R. Kesselman Senior Supervisor Public Policy Program John Richards Supervisor Public Policy Program Date Approved: March 11, 2011 1 Abstract Social impact bonds (SIBs) are a new method of generating private investment for preventative social programming in the UK. SIBs generate investment from private sources for social programs by issuing a contract that pays returns to investors based on a percentage of the savings received by government as a result of the program outcomes. This paper analyzes the theoretical underpinnings of this concept and attempts to determine applicability in a Canadian context. No previous substantive study of this kind has been performed in a Canadian context. This study undertakes empirical research of potential SIB applications in the form of an employment program for persons with disabilities, a social housing program and a preventative healthcare program for hypertension management.