By: Rachel May The Quebec ban on religious symbols, enacted as “An Act respecting the laicity of the State” and commonly known as Bill 21, has always been controversial. Canadians are both passionate and sensitive about the subject matter, an explosive combination. Combine that with the apparent contradiction of certain rights and freedoms guaranteed by…
The Real Culprit in Toronto’s Housing Crisis
By: Sonja Perisic Khaleel Seivwright has become something of a household name in Toronto in the last few weeks. With the support of over $200k in GoFundMe donations, the Toronto carpenter has been building tiny insulated shelters for Toronto’s homeless community as an alternative to tents or park benches. Many of the city’s homeless shelters…
Initiatives to Improve Indigenous Housing: A Panel with Policy Leaders
By Serena Rawn The Indigenous Policy Initiative (IPI), is a student organization driven by a single goal; to do our part in promoting open, cross-cultural dialogue regarding Indigenous issues. Housed in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, we hope to inspire strategic changes within our community. We strive to foster productive partnerships and make a positive impact…
Houston, We Have a Problem…There’s No Power
By: Rachel May There has been much talk about increasing political polarization in recent times. This chatter took on a new, intensified meaning when severe winter weather conditions created an entirely different kind of polarization in Texas. There are many theories about the cause of the Texas freeze – Tucker Carlson blamed wind turbines, and…
Challenges and Potential Solutions for Northern Ontario’s Internet Service
By: Sean McGowan The Government of Ontario recently committed $1Billion towards improving internet infrastructure in Northern Ontario. This funding adds to the $6Billion in investments that the Government of Canada has allocated nationwide through the Universal Broadband Fund. This is a good sign for Northern Ontario, where internet service speeds and coverage greatly trail behind…
What does it mean for Canada that Biden cancelled the Keystone XL Pipeline?
By: Ella Hartsoe Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can…
Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Need for an Intersectional Lens in Policy Analysis
Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can gain a better…
The Challenges of Confronting Racial Inequity
By: Hugh Ragan This summer’s Black Lives Matter protests led to the most widespread and profound consciousness-raising that I have experienced in my lifetime. The killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd drew attention to injustices experienced by African Americans and racial minorities but also prompted fundamental questions about justice that transcend race. Four points,…
Addressing Dark Trends in Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation in Canada
By: Julia Gonsalves Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can…
The ‘Cold’ Shoulder: Toronto’s Response to Homelessness as the Pandemic Rages On
By: Sabrina Gilmour As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the middle of the winter, most Torontonians will likely find themselves seeking warmth and safety within their homes. For people experiencing homelessness, the colder season might have meant going to one of the 63 shelters the city has to offer. However, this is no typical…
#TrumpTwitterTroubles: An Explanation of Regulatory Issues Concerning the President’s Social Media Ban
By: Rachel May Donald Trump’s presidency changed historical norms in too many ways to count. One of the most important was the use of social media for frequent, direct communication with American citizens, international counterparts, and members of his own administration. In the final stages of the Trump presidency the focus on social media heightened…
Criminalization vs. Public Health: The Legacy of Canada’s Racially Biased Drug Laws
By: Jenny Zhang Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can…
In Conversation with Josh Hjartarson
By Alyssa Bishop and Alexandrea Johnston On October 16th, the Consulting Careers Initiative (CCI) hosted an in-depth discussion with Josh Hjartarson about the private consulting industry’s role as a policy actor in Canada. Dr. Hjartarson is a Partner and the National Leader for Human Services at Deloitte Canada, one of the country’s largest consulting firms….
Lifting Canadians with Disabilities out of Economic Vulnerability with a Guaranteed Basic Income
By: Anastasia Volkov The Canadian government implemented several income support programs to enable Canadians to meet basic needs while facing temporary or permanent job loss or hours reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was in place from March to October 2020. It was a “simple application process that made use…
Federal Prisons and COVID-19: The Call for Decarceration
By: Danielle Foppiano The Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) is a graduate student-led organization at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. We aim to explore the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policy. We promote the adoption of an…
The Government of Canada’s Current Fiscal Deficit Doesn’t Matter
By: Noah Clarke In Canada, the economic impact of the pandemic quickly made itself known. In March and April alone, more than three million Canadians lost their jobs as travel and non-essential services were shut down to limit the spread of the virus. The unemployment rate quickly soared to 13 per cent. Now, those that…
Perhaps too early to start celebrating: Fairness and Equity in the Distribution of a COVID-19 Vaccine
By: Sonja Perisic The world was roaring with the recent week’s announcement that Moderna, an American pharmaceutical company, has developed a vaccine more than 94% effective in preventing COVID-19. Canada has already secured up to 358 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from a wide range of different manufacturers and has signed six contracts for tens of millions more vaccine doses with pharmaceutical giants, such as AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer….
Nations Divided: How Barriers to Interprovincial Trade Cause Differing Canadian Opinion on the US Election
By: Sean McGowan During the week of November 4th, people around the world patiently waited to hear who would win the 2020 United States Presidential Election. Canadians were overwhelmingly hoping for Biden, especially in Ontario, where 84% of the public would have voted for Biden if given the chance. Across the country, however, Albertans were…
The Pandemic Spoke Loud and Clear – it is Time to Care About our Most Vulnerable
By: Anastasia Volkov There is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all of our lives. However, several snapshots released by Statistics Canada in late August report a disproportionate impact on individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, the disability community frequently does not receive the attention it deserves. Yet, nearly 25 per cent of Canadians over the…
We are All Treaty People – Racism and Jurisdiction in L’nu* Territory and Beyond
By Keith Cherry *Note: the word L’nu is the autonym of the people otherwise known as Mi’kmaq, an Indigenous group spanning much of what is sometimes called Atlantic Canada. When Indigenous L’nu fishers launched their own lobster fishery in pats of Nova Scotia this fall, they faced brutal, racist violence and chilling police indifference. For…
Current Competition Law Only One, Dull Tool to Rein In Google and Big Tech
By: Hugh Ragan Last month, the U.S. Justice Department launched a lawsuit against Google accusing the company of illegally protecting the cornerstone of its empire: search and advertising. This demonstration of government resolve is welcomed by many Americans who are wary of the threats that Google, and other Big Tech behemoths, pose by harnessing mountains…
A Fine Kettle of Disputed Fish: An Explanation of the Mi’kmaq Fishery Dispute
By: Rachel May The very foundations of the true Canadian archetype are of a polite and apologetic people, of populations with different backgrounds living together peacefully in a rich and beautiful land with abundant resources. On those lines, the recent images of violent disputes erupting along our picturesque Nova Scotian coast, with scenes of destructive…
Liberty, Freedom and the Pursuit of Mass-Surveillance: An Analysis of the 2013 Snowden Revelations
By: Karishma Firdausi Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can…
Inequality and COVID-19: The Adverse Effects of the Pandemic on Low-Income Communities
By: Alyssa Bishop The coronavirus has been a force to reckon with since the pandemic came to a head in March 2020. The pandemic has tested the capacity of the healthcare, education, and economic systems and yet, despite all of the chaos, COVID-19 was originally praised as the ‘great equalizer’. It was said that the…
Transnational Law, Reconciliation and the MOU on Wet’suwet’en Governance
Keith Cherry examines how concepts from transnational law could be used to further reconciliation within Canada.
“Who would fall for that?”: The Alarming Truth Behind those Pesky Scam Phone Calls
by Kayla Daneal from Policy Innovation Initiative (Pii) “Another one of those annoying scams,” my mom says nonchalantly as she hangs up the phone. “Apparently they’re from the Canada Revenue Agency, and if I don’t send them the money that I supposedly owe, then I’ll go to jail,” she continues. “Who would fall for that?” Much…
What is an Economy for Anyways: A Talk with Dr. Yannick Beaudoin
by Steven Giallelis A Story of Wants: To those who don’t have much knowledge or experience in the field, hearing the word “economics” or “economy” may bring shivers down their backs at the mere thought of mathematic calculations. Even more so, such terms beyond use in conversation may not be truly understood. Many may find…
Breaking Down Canada’s Economic Response to COVID-19
Nick Thompson explains what Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan actually entails.
Technology in Education: Is It Helpful or Is It Harmful?
What are the key considerations when bringing technology into education? Joanne Soares and Anandu Nair created a helpful infographic to explain.
Build the Wall: Border and Migration
by Steven Giallelis Regardless of political opinion, a rising notion has persisted in the minds of many. Among our American neighbours to the South, assertions of “building a wall” continue to spark heated debates around dinner tables and international political debates alike. History of Border Walls and their Revival in the Modern Day: The use…
2019 Provincial budget: implications for the equitable administration of post-secondary education
by Anisa Jama Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Gender, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (GDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can…
Canadian Sex Work Policy, the Failure of the “Nordic Model,” and Future Approaches
by Sabrina White (Spectrum) Spectrum is a student initiative aimed at professional and career development for LGBTQ+ students. We aim to foster an inclusive environment to ensure LGBTQ+ students and their allies have resources, information, and connections to maximize personal and professional success. Twenty-two days into the new year, a woman was killed in a hotel room…
Discrimination in Healthcare: How Indigenous Communities are Affected
by Carly Wigdor (Indigenous Affairs Student Initiative) IASI is a newly-established graduate student-led initiative that aims to provide a platform to discuss Indigenous issues from a policy-focused lens. In conjunction with our Advisory Board, consisting of Bob Rae, Grand Chief Arlen Dumas and Professor Douglas Sanderson, we seek to promote awareness of Indigenous issues and…
Let Them Lead: Tackling Indigenous Homelessness with Culturally Relevant Services
by Melissa Slauenwhite (Indigenous Affairs Student Initiative) IASI is a newly-established graduate student-led initiative that aims to provide a platform to discuss Indigenous issues from a policy-focused lens. In conjunction with our Advisory Board, consisting of Bob Rae, Grand Chief Arlen Dumas and Professor Douglas Sanderson, we seek to promote awareness of Indigenous issues and…
Framing Risk: The Homophobic Legacy of Blood Donation Discrimination in Canada
By Lucas Youmans (Spectrum) Spectrum is a student initiative aimed at professional and career development for LGBTQ+ students. We aim to foster an inclusive environment to ensure LGBTQ+ students and their allies have resources, information, and connections to maximize personal and professional success. On a recent CBC podcast, former federal cabinet minister Stockwell Day suggested…
The Epitome of Hypocrisy? The Canadian Government’s Continuous Challenge to Equitable Justice for Indigenous Youth
Despite progressive commitments, Trudeau’s Liberals refuse to adequately address rampant inequality for Indigenous children—instead choosing to actively perpetuate it.
The Intersection of Climate Change and the LGBTQ+ Community: Where Does Canada Stand?
As the news cycle continues to broadcast the devastating effects of a warming climate, both the national and international community have rightly recognized the disproportionate impact that climate change has on vulnerable communities, particularly women and Indigenous communities.
By the Numbers: Question Period
BY Nick Thompson For those familiar with Canadian politics, Question Period is arguably the most important part of a given day in the House of Commons. One of the only times where all Members of Parliament (MPs) are present at once, it regularly produces the nightly news’ most played clips. What is often mentioned less,…
Ontario’s tax system hurts marginal earnings of low-income individuals
by Jessica Rapson Code and Dataset https://github.com/UnrequitedReason/Ontario-Taxes Highlights In Ontario, the increase in taxes and decrease in benefits that follow from an income increase substantially depress marginal earnings for low earners, reducing additional income gains by 70% to over 100% These low marginal earnings may disincentivize individual efforts to increase income at lower earning levels…
New Zealand’s Response to the Age-Old Question: Does Money Buy Happiness?
by Matt Condie and Steven Giallelis In association with the David Suzuki Foundation, this article was written to inform the public of the shortcomings of GDP-oriented policy making and potential solutions to ensure the health and sustainability of our economy and citizens for years to come. Through public awareness, the policy community can develop action…
Nova Scotia’s E-Cigarette Ban: Implications for Other Provinces
by Melissa Slauenwhite The introduction of e-cigarettes and vapes, as a tool for adult smokers to deal with nicotine addiction, is affecting the health of young Canadians and has created an unanticipated and serious policy issue. There have been more than 2200 reports of severe lung disease linked to vaping in the United States, with similar rates…
SRO Programs in Ontario’s Public Schools
Unpacking Equity is a collaboration between the Public Policy and Governance Review and the Equity, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative (EDPP) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This series aims to explain equity-related policy issues and break down complicated topics involving equity, diversity and inclusion. Policy professionals can gain a better…
Highly Ranked, Yet Still Unfair: Addressing Women’s Health (In)equities in Ontario
By Kristi Kodama The universal healthcare system that we have today has continuously been a source of national pride for Canadians, especially when compared to our southern neighbours. Yet for a healthcare system that is commonly believed to represent equality and equity, Canada’s is found wanting. A report by The Commonwealth Fund found that Canada…
Governing the Southern Border: The Politics and Policy of Irregular Border Crossing
By Declan Ingham and Ryan Phillips The images of asylum-seekers being apprehended along our snowy southern border brought the issue of irregular immigration to the forefront of the Canadian political consciousness and has spurred a broader anti-immigrant backlash. Yet the headlines obscure the deeper story of both policy-makers and asylum-seekers managing and navigating complex Canadian…
Live-In Caregiver Program Revised: Implications for Equity
By Hiba Siddiqui The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) has been offered by the Government of Canada since 1992 and has been popular among Canadian families. The program provided relatively affordable and flexible child care for working parents as well as elder care for an aging population. Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), a component…
Building Empathy, Addressing Inequity: A Lecture by Tanya Talaga
By Kelly Husack “We were talking two different languages.” These were the words that Tanya Talaga, the award-winning author and journalist, used to describe her interview with the former grand chief, Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation as she spoke at the second event hosted by the Indigenous Affairs Student Initiative at the Munk School of…
The Future of Health Care: In Conversation with Shannon Lundquist
By Jolene Funk As technology advances, the opportunity for innovation across different sectors grows. For the health care industry, the present moment offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of the possible, but also presents challenges as the sector struggles to adapt while maintaining patient safety, allocating scarce resources, and adhering to standards of…
Unpacking Equity: The Use of AI in Canada’s Immigration and Refugee System
By Mackenzie Rice The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve public sector efficiency is both exciting and controversial. While these technologies have the power to present new solutions to some of the toughest global challenges, their use has also called attention to serious concerns relating to data privacy, human rights,…
Cannabis Legalization: Racial Disparities in Drug Convictions and the Importance of Amnesty
By Sandy Tat The legalization of recreational cannabis use on October 17th 2018 marked a turning point in Canada’s national public policies. With the passing of the Cannabis Act, Canadians aged 19 and up gained the freedom to sell, grow, and smoke pot legally. On the same morning of October 17th Public Safety Minister Ralph…
Who Benefits From Ford’s Changes to Rent Control?
By: Caroline Xhaferri Ford’s Conservative government introduced its first long-term strategy termed the 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, designed to reduce the Province’s deficit and to “help people make ends meet”. Rent control policies in Ontario plays a vital role in mitigating the effects of changing demographics as a result of global attractiveness…
COVID-19’s Impact on the Canadian Aerospace Industry: Is a Bailout Required?
By: Noah Clarke COVID-19 travel restrictions have wiped out demand for air travel since early 2020, and the impact has spread to the entire aerospace industry. Aerospace is a strategic industry because of the economic and innovative benefits it provides. While other governments have provided bailouts specific to their aerospace industries, Canada has not. Without…
