Canada-U.S. Relations

Continental Dynamics of Energy and Climate Change: Policies and Politics

On June 9^th, the Public Policy Forum (PPF) held a working lunch on the continental dynamics of energy and climate change. The PPF convened roughly 60 participants from all sectors to discuss with a panel of experts the evolving state of U.S. energy and climate policy, the implications for Canada, and what Canada must do to “set the table” for effective bilateral climate policy cooperation with the United States. This report presents the key points of discussion and conclusions from that meeting. Read

Transboundary Environmental Governance in Canada and the United States

As part of its Occasional Paper Series, the Canada Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center published four papers from a recent conference on Transboundary Environmental Governance at the Wilson Center.  The papers focus on the relevance and impact of the International Joint Commission (IJC) on bilateral environmental issues; transboundary water disputes; international river management; and efforts by Canada and the United States to address climate change. Read

Fortune in Our Future

The visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Canada in late June 2009 is a sign that recent Canadian overtures to Beijing are bearing fruit, says an editorial from the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. The authors argue that for both Canada and China, an expanded relationship based on encouraging flows of investment and people may be the best model. Read

From London to L’Aquila: Building a Bridge between the G20 and the G8

From many perspectives, the London Summit of the G20 leaders at the beginning of April 2009 was a success, according to researchers from the Centre for International Governance Innovation. While the Italian Presidency of the G8 has a hard task ahead, there is scope for building a meaningful bridge between London and the G8 meeting in L’Aquila in July 2009. Read

Police Reform in Southern Sudan

A new paper from the North-South Institute considers the policy implications of the first evidence-based survey of community perceptions on policing in Southern Sudan. The survey data provide a snapshot of security issues across the still fragile social and political landscape of the region. Due primarily to the proliferation of illegal arms, cattle rustling, the presence of Lord’s Resistance Army rebels and persistent inter-tribal conflicts over land and other resources, significant policing challenges persist. Read

The Economic Integration of Immigrants in Vancouver

A new study from the Institute for Research on Public Policy on the economic integration of immigrants in the metropolitan Vancouver area found that language proficiency on arrival plays the central role in shaping the economic opportunities available to newcomers. Study author Daniel Hiebert recommends investing in high-quality English-language education programs, which would be made available to immigrants in Vancouver as soon as they arrive. Read

A Bank for All Seasons: The Bank of Canada and the Regulatory Challenge

The Bank of Canada must come to play a recognized, central leadership role in shaping policy if Canada is to better manage risks to financial sector stability, argues John Crow, former Governor of the Bank, in a study released by the C.D. Howe Institute. Crow outlines a better role for the Bank of Canada in managing risks in the financial system. Read

Science & Technology

Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage / Réaliser le potentiel des sciences et de la technologie au profit du Canada

Industry Canada provides an update on the implementation of the Government of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy, launched by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in May 2007. Topics discussed include Canada’s entrepreneurial advantage, public-private partnerships and the furthering of accountability. Read | Lire

Energy / Environment

Nuclear Energy Fact Book 2009 / Manuel de l'énergie nucléaire, édition 2009

The 2009 edition of the Canadian Nuclear Association’s (CAN) nuclear handbook is available online. With energy a hot topic on the global stage, CNA's booklet provides pertinent facts that can contribute to decisions about the role of nuclear energy in the future. Read | Lire

Smith Falls Bottled Water: Local Concerns and Outstanding Questions

A report by the Polaris Institute raises a number of issues for a new bottled water plant scheduled to open in Smiths Falls, Ontario. While the report acknowledges that Smiths Falls is in need of new and sustainable good jobs, it highlights that in Canada the bottled water sector has a diminishing market value and is questioned by many due to environmental concerns. Read

Health Care

Exposure to Radiation and Health Outcomes

Prepared by Mark Lemstra for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a new report provides an evidence-based summary of the impact of exposure to radiation on subsequent health outcomes. Among other factors, Lemstra examines cancer rates, protection standards, and energy production strategies. Read

Education

Knowledge Infrastructure Program Map

The January 2009 federal budget announced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an investment of $2 billion targeted for critical infrastructure at postsecondary education institutions. The funding will be used for maintenance and accelerated construction on university and college campuses. Produced by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), this interactive map identifies university infrastructure projects on the campuses of AUCC member institutions. The map is updated on an ongoing basis as new funding announcements are made. Read

Public Policy

Crime Prevention Ottawa Sparks Change / Prévention du crime Ottawa provoque du changement

In 2006, Crime Prevention Ottawa began a community development project in Ottawa’s downtown Vanier neighbourhood. Rich in history, community organizations and concerned residents, Vanier has experienced a dramatic improvement in its fortunes, according to an article by Anne Makhoul of the Caledon Institute of Social Policy. Read | Lire

How social networks help Canadians deal with major change / Comment les réseaux sociaux aident les Canadiens à faire face aux changements majeurs

According to Statistics Canada, the General Social Survey found that despite changing family structures, the geographic dispersion of families and increased dependence on the Internet as a source of information, Canadians identified the family as the most helpful resource in an individual's social network during times of major change. For young adults and those in the career and family formation life stage, the Internet was a commonly used social network resource, usually in addition to turning to people. Conversely, seniors coping with change turned more frequently to neighbours and religious organizations as a resource than did younger Canadians. Read | Lire