Canada-U.S. Relations

In Search of Effective Border Management

Effective border security is compatible with the efficient management of border processes to allow the free flow of low-risk people and goods for purposes of mutual benefit between countries, write Geoffrey Hale of the Canadian International Council. He notes that recent economic shocks have demonstrated that neither Americans nor Canadians can take their prosperity and economic security for granted.

http://www.canadianinternationalcouncil.org/research/canadianfo/insearchof

Trade & Travel Patterns at the Canada-US Border: Policy Implications

The latest Border Policy Research Institute Border Policy Brief focuses on how trade and travel patterns at the Canada–U.S. border have been affected by security policy changes, and the policy implications for those managing the border.  The report highlights the efficacy of harmonized bilateral processes and a risk-management approach at the border. http://www.wwu.edu/bpri/files/2009_Winter_Border_Brief.pdf

Economy

An Assessment of the 2009 Budget for the Living Standards of Canadians

In absolute terms, no one loses from the 2009 budget, according to the Centre for the Study of Living Standards.  The government did not cut programs, reduce spending, or increase taxes in any significant way. Overall, the budget does well on short-term stimulus, but it could have done more for equity and long-term productivity growth. http://www.csls.ca/notes/note2009-1.pdf

Taxation, Good Governance, and First Nation Communities

John Graham and Jodi Bruhn of the Institute on Governance explore the linkages between taxation and good governance. They suggest some of the positive effects of introducing broad-based taxation on reserve, and provide options and advice on how First Nations could introduce taxation in their communities. http://www.iog.ca/publications/policybrief32.pdf

Canada’s Economic Relations with China

Canadian trade with China represents just a miniscule portion of Canada’s overall international trade and the country has a long way to go to fully take advantage of the opportunities presented by one of the world’s fastest growing markets, concludes a new study released by the Fraser Institute. The study is the first attempt to quantify the flows of goods, services and people between Canada and China.

http://www.fraserinstitute.org/commerce.web/product_files/CanadaEconomicRelationsChina.pdf

Foreign Affairs

From Conflict to Peacebuilding: The Role of Natural Resources and the Environment

While at least forty percent of all interstate conflicts over the last sixty years have a link to natural resources, a collaborative study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Environment Program suggests that environmental issues can also serve as pathways for cooperation and peacebuilding.  http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2009/conflict_peacebuilding.pdf

Chavez, Président à vie?

A l’émission du Centre d’Etudes et de recherche en relations internationales cette semaine, le politologue Philippe Faucher analyse la victoire référendaire d’Hugo Chavez, le journaliste et auteur Robert Fisk discute des 30 ans de la révolution iranienne et de son avenir puis trois adeptes du ipod révèlent leurs balados politiques préférées.  http://www.cerium.ca/Chavez-president-a-vie-Robert-Fisk

Road to Beijing Runs through Alberta

As the Obama Administration prepares for a deeper and broader engagement of China, Canada must re-examine its own policies, writes Paul Evans of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia. He explains how and why Canada-China policy should be heavily guided by Alberta.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Road+Beijing+runs+through+Alberta/1301251/story.html

Challenging the Myth: A New Vision for Canada in the World

According to the International Development Research Centre, Canadians have abandoned the view that peacekeeping should be Canada’s international niche. Instead, they want to see their country become a role model on the world stage. That was the main finding of an ambitious three-year initiative, Canada’s World, which is looking at how Canadians view Canada’s role beyond its borders.

Public Policy

A Movement of Ideas

A new study from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives examines the World Social Forum and its impact on policy in the Southern Hemisphere. http://www.policyalternatives.ca

Changing Perceptions of Islamic Authority among Muslims in Canada

Writing for the Institute for Research on Public Policy, Karim Karim examines the changes in the ways in which Muslims in Canada, the US and the UK view Islamic authority. The study’s findings have implications for understanding how Muslims in the West are coming to terms with contemporary life through Islamic perspectives. The results of the research point to the emergence of perspectives that may help determine how they approach choices on issues ranging from medical treatment to education to political engagement. http://www.irpp.org/choices/archive/vol15no2.pdf

Science and Technology

Childhood Trauma Has Lifelong Effects on Genes and the Brain

McGill University and Douglas Institute scientists have discovered that childhood trauma can actually alter DNA and shape the way genes work. This confirms in humans earlier findings in rats, that maternal care plays a significant role in influencing the genes that control our stress response. In this, the first study of its kind, researchers worked to uncover how parental care affects the DNA in the brains of a group of Quebec male suicide victims who suffered abuse as children. The all-McGill study is set to be published in the February 22, issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Education

Joint Canada-U.S. Partnership to Result in Better Transportation Infrastructure

The Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure (SCETI) at the University of Saskatchewan, has entered into a strategic alliance to conduct joint research on advanced road building techniques. The partnership between SCETI and the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University, will encompass all facets of transportation and infrastructure research including developing advanced road materials and systems that perform better in the extremes of the Saskatchewan climate. "Being on the leading edge of technology and innovation will help ensure that the more than half a billion dollars we invest in transportation annually is used as effectively as possible," Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Wayne Elhard said.

http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=f9d16159-2e3b-47b4-b0ea-cd72aaca4cc9

Government of Canada Provides Support to Research Chairs

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of over $120 million to fund 134 new or renewed Canada Research Chairs in 37 Canadian universities. This includes $6.6 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation for research infrastructure to facilitate the work of 42 chairholders receiving funding under today's announcement.