This paper revisits theoretical debates surrounding the importance of policy style and the bureaucracy to explain divergence in policy output and outcomes. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are two neighbouring Canadian provinces with multiple similarities including rapidly aging populations. In spite of similar regional orientation, geography, demography and economies, marked differences exist in the types of home care programs and policies adopted by the provinces. While New Brunswick has been planning and developing a comprehensive home care strategy, Nova Scotia has only begun to address home care issues. The findings suggest that NB’s anticipatory and imposition policy style has led to innovative and comprehensive home care policies, whereas the reactive and consensus policy style of NS has caused home care policies to be marginalized. In terms of broader implications, this contribution suggests that the lack of long term planning institutions has dire consequences in the development and implementation of policies aimed to alleviate the challenges related to an aging population.
