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…
The Future of Service Delivery: Government in the Digital Age
By: Hiba Siddiqui We live in a society where individuals use powerful digital services on a regular basis for a variety of purposes. With the speed and sophistication of social networking services, enterprise systems and streaming services, it is imperative that public service delivery is also modernized and transformed to mirror the private sector’s fast…
Four Great Ideas from the 2019 Urban Policy Lab Case Competition
By Breanne Bateman The Urban Policy Lab Case Competition is an annual student-led initiative, organized by the Lab’s Graduate Fellows, that focuses on tackling municipal and urban policy problems. This year marks the fifth edition of the event formerly known as the Municipal Policy Action Case Competition, which offers students at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy the…
An Afternoon with Minister Hajdu – A Fireside Chat on Proactive Pay Equity Legislation
By Declan Ingham We live in a patriarchal society, what’s wrong with saying that?” These are not the words of a typical cabinet minister, but Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, may not be a “typical” cabinet minister. She offered this premise to an assembly of University of Toronto students in October…
Wet’suwet’en First Nation: Understanding the Complexities of Indigenous Governance
By: Sarah Baker On Monday January 7th 2019, video footage of RCMP officers arresting 14 protesters at the Gidimt’en checkpoint in northern British Colombia dominated national news reports and social media. The situation escalated following the decision of the BC Supreme Court to issue an injunction on December 14th , granting access to Coastal GasLink…
Is it time for us to break up with GDP?
By: Lawrence Zhang How do we measure the economic well-being of a country? Despite the popularity of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the end-all-be-all measure of economic activity, many would argue that GDP is far from the best way to measure economic well-being. From news reports, to speeches by politicians, to international publications, GDP…
Breaking down the Huawei Case: A Closer look at Canada’s Extradition Process
By: Sarah Baker On December 1st 2018, the Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Meng Wanzhou, landed in Vancouver’s International airport. The 46-year-old Chinese business executive had been on her way to catch a connecting flight to Mexico when she was detained by RCMP due to an extradition request filed by the American…
Unpacking Equity: The Transition of Indigenous Communities from Diesel to Renewable Energy Generation
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 gain a better…
The GM Closure in Oshawa and the Future of the Auto Industry in Canada
by Daniel Blazekovic On November 7, 1953, production began at the Oshawa General Motors (GM) assembly plant. A century later, the Oshawa plant has become “the most decorated plant with 29 J.D. Power awards, [with] a proven track record of great quality and customer satisfaction.” On November 26, more than 65 years after GM began…
Checking-In with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: A Human Library Experience
by Myra Lisselle Wein On Thursday, November 22, 2018 the Gender, Diversity, and Public Policy Initiative (GDPP) and the Intersectional Feminist Collective (IFC) at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy hosted a Human Library for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Both the GDPP and IFC are student-led initiatives out of the Munk School…
Bill C-59, Canada’s Secret Spy Agency, and the Cyber Offensive
By Bryan Roh Update 1: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Bill C-59 was currently undergoing second reading in the Senate. That error has now been corrected. Update 2: Some text has been changed to better reflect the authorities of the CSE under Bill C-59. On June 20th, 2017, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-59, an ambitious piece of national security legislation that proposes to dramatically overhaul the…
Ontario’s Environment Plan: An Abdication of Responsibility
By Megan Mattes On November 29th, 2018, Environment Minister Rod Phillips announced the Ontario government’s long-awaited Environment Plan. Not a climate plan, mind you – an Environment Plan. A weak substitute for the now-cancelled Cap and Trade Act, the new plan contains four sections: protecting air, lakes and rivers; addressing climate change; reducing litter and…
2018 Prof Talks: Wicked Policy Problems
By Lawrence Zhang Since World War II, humanity has been afflicted with intractable policy problems that extend far beyond the traditional scope of public policy. These are problems that stretch beyond the jurisdiction of one single country, that are too grave in consequence to take a trial-and-error approach to, and have too many competing perspectives…
Obstacles to Female Leadership: In Conversation with Marie Henein
By Sarah Baker For female attorneys in Canada, the glass ceiling seems to have hardened into a concrete wall. According to findings by the Catalyst, a global non-profit that assists organizations in advancing women into positions of leadership, female attorneys remain significantly underrepresented in positions of seniority, despite constituting nearly half of all practicing lawyers…
Unpacking Equity: The Fight for Indigenous Rights Under USMCA
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 gain a better…
An Evening with the Honourable Gordon Campbell: Carbon Taxing and the Challenges Facing Innovation in Canada
by Bryan Roh Innovation. It is a word that has been consistently appearing in almost every federal science policy document in Canada since the 1980s. Today, the Trudeau government continues the tradition of championing innovation by interweaving this term with its climate action goals as it attempts to sell the idea of a new federal…
A New Era of Brazilian Politics: The Election of Jair Bolsonaro
by Daniel Blazekovic Fernando Haddad hopelessly watched as 57 million Brazilians marked their support for Jair Bolsonaro, who will lead the world’s fourth largest democracy for the next four years. On October 28, 2018, Jair Bolsonaro – a right-wing populist – was elected President of Brazil after receiving 55.1% of the popular vote. It is…
Restoring the Tree of Life: Facing Hate through Policy
by Myra Lisselle Wein From sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night, Jews commemorate the Sabbath, a day of rest. Yet on the morning of Saturday October 27th, that day of rest was shattered by a massacre in a Pittsburgh congregation; a devastating reminder of the hard truth that anti-Semitism is alive and well. Among…
