What is Policy? introduces public policy by showing how it shapes ordinary experiences, from drinking water and food prices to transportation safety and taxation. Rather than treating policy as a remote government activity, the text presents it as a set of decisions that influences virtually every aspect of daily life. The discussion distinguishes substantive policy from administrative procedures, then explores vertical and horizontal approaches, reactive and proactive responses, and issues already on the public agenda versus those requiring greater recognition. These distinctions connect to community initiatives seeking poverty reduction and neighbourhood revitalization, particularly Vibrant Communities and Action for Neighbourhood Change. An extended comparison with planning a journey from Ottawa to Guelph makes the decision process accessible. Time, expense, fatigue, and personal circumstances illustrate why alternative routes must be assessed against a clear objective. Public decisions involve broader consequences, but similarly require choices among competing approaches. Poverty provides a concrete example of a problem needing several coordinated interventions. The text discusses child benefits, wages, tax measures, affordable housing, employment support, skills development, and reduced household costs. It carefully distinguishes correlations with poverty from established causes. The supplied pages also introduce common stages of policy development and examine how objectives emerge from societal values, political priorities, intergovernmental agreements, international commitments, and emergencies. Throughout, practical examples emphasize the relationship between public goals, available evidence, institutional responsibilities, and community participation.