Policy Research Initiative

Untitled Document

The Policy Research Initiative produces Horizons as a liaison publication for the federal government policy research community. Horizons highlights the work of policy researchers from across federal departments, and from external experts, on issues that relate closely to the PRI 's horizontal research activities.

Editorial Policy

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

New LifePaths Projections of Hours of Work per Member of the Population
Briefing Note
October 2006

This briefing note highlights updated labour market projections using the LifePaths Microsimulation model that take into account recent labour market and demographic changes, which affect the projected peak and decline of hours of work per member of the population, in a context of population aging. It also highlights the introduction of a new way of illustrating the impact that increased education has on productivity and how this increased productivity could help offset the anticipated decline in hours of work per member of the population.

Sustainable Development

Briefing Notes
October 2006

The Sustainable Development Project publishes Briefing Notes - 4 page essays - providing a rapid orientation to various issues in freshwater management and sustainable development. Topics so far range from Integrated Water Resource Management to Exporting Canada's Water.

New: Is There a Business Case for Small-Scale and Large-Scale Water Export to the United States?

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Communities Under Pressure: The Role of
Co-operatives and the Social Economy
Synthesis Report
June 2006

How can organizations help individuals and communities respond to and benefit from globalization? Why should governments support some organizations but not others? How can research inform the development of best practices?

One hundred or so researchers, policy makers and practitioners spent a day in March exploring these and other hard questions. This synthesis report provides some answers and suggestions for future research.

North American Linkages

European Integration and Convergence of the National Welfare States
Briefing Note
June 2006

To provide further information on the debate on whether economic integration leads to social policy convergence, this briefing note examines this issue in the context of European integration.

European Union member countries are subjected to the same forces of globalization as other countries, such as trade liberalization, emergence
of the knowledge economy, work force adjustments, and regional disparities. Coupled with an aging population and low birthrates, these factors present a complex set of challenges for many states at a time when past commitments
in the form of generous health, educational, or welfare programs strain their financial
resources. In addition, the European social policy uses different tools to modulate the social
policies of member states.

One would expect that in this context there would be a high degree of homogeneity and similarities between the domestic social policy regimes of European countries. However, as this note discusses, there is still resilience to the European model and large differences in national social policy regimes are still the norm.

North American Linkages

The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions Between Canada and the United States
Roundtable Synthesis Report
May 2006

A series of regional roundtables were organized to complement the work of the PRI on cross-border regions. Almost 200 Canadian and American experts participated in a series of events held in Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Waterloo, Sackville, and Ottawa between November 2005 and March 2006 to discuss the findings of the PRI Interim Report and Leader Survey on Canada-US Cross-Border Regions: An Analysis. The Roundtable Synthesis Report highlights the substantial agreement on key benefits and challenges to the development of further cross-border regional linkages. It also discusses the potential policy implications and considerations that cross-border regions represent for the Government of Canada.

Sustainable Development

Public-Private Partnerships for Funding Municipal Drinking Water Infrastructure: What are the Challenges?
Discussion Paper
May 2006

The issue of public-private partnership is always complex, and this is even more so in the case of municipal water supply. This paper provides a critical review of the literature on this topic. Although there is a particular emphasis on lessonslearned from and for the Canadian context, Canadian experience of PPPs in the water sector is limited, so most of the relevant literature refers to experiences in other countries which are frequently non-analogous.

Sustainable Development

Can Water Quality Trading Help to Address Agricultural Sources of Pollution in Canada?
Project Report
May 2006

This report examines the extent to which water quality trading (WQT) and variants of this policy instrument can be applied in the Canadian context. Based on practices around the world, the report also provides some guidance on designing WQT systems. We do not purport to provide definitive answers to all questions, but provide policy makers with some basic tools with which to make their own evaluations.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Why Financial Capability Matters
Synthesis Report
March 2006

According to Why Financial Capability Matters, a synthesis report based on the symposium “Canadians and Their Money,” oftentimes, Canadians may not be well prepared for making financial decisions. The report makes several recommendations towards improving our understanding of this capability and identifies possible next steps. Recommendations include pursuit of a national research agenda, an exploration of ways to improve and coordinate public policy around financial capability, a more active role for the private sector and an increased emphasis on the role of the community sector in serving vulnerable groups.

North American Linkages

North American Regulatory Co-operation: A Results Agenda
Symposium Report (December 8, 2005)
March 2006

The December 8, 2005 Symposium held by PRI provided a platform to hear from international experts on the key issues, and to further inform the discussion of regulatory co-operation with practical lessons from experiences around the world. The Symposium’s goal was to identify those lessons that would help achieve concrete results for North America.

This report makes a series of suggestions on how to build on the impetus provided by the SPP and put in place elements of a long-term business plan to implement effective and sustained North American regulatory
co-operation.

North American Linkages

The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions
Montreal Roundtable Report
February 2006

A series of regional roundtables are organized to complement the work of the PRI on cross-border regions. The first of these regional roundtables was organized by the PRI in partnership with Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions and took place on November 23, 2005. This Roundtable Report integrates into a cohesive document some of the key research findings, examples of regional initiatives and the comments and discussions by the roundtable participants. In particular, the report examines regional initiatives between Quebec and the US North-eastern region, and some of the policy considerations for the Government of Canada.

North American Linkages

The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions
Briefing Note
February 2006

This note provides a concise and accessible executive summary of the Interim Report and the results of a survey involving leaders from business, various levels of government, academia, think-tanks, cross-border organizations, and associations on the extent and significance of the emergence of cross-border regions.

North American Linkages

The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions
Interim Report
November 2005

Extensive economic and institutional linkages exist among fairly distinct groupings of neighboring and nearby provinces and states along the Canada-US border. The PRI Interim Report concludes that the thickness and intensity of these linkages is greatest in four distinct regions: the West, Prairies/Great Plains, Great Lakes/Heartland and East. The report also indicates that the regional dimension of the linkages between Canada and the United States may have important implications on public policy for the Government of Canada.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Combatting the Social Exclusion of At-Risk Groups
Research Paper
November 2005

In Canada, it has been shown that some groups are particularly at risk of long-term poverty and social exclusion. They include lone-parents, older unattached individuals, off-reserve aboriginal individuals, recent immigrants, and persons with work-limiting disabilities. Equally vulnerable to social exclusion are children from low-income households. This paper offers a taxonomy of measures used in both Canada and Europe to help these groups and individuals out of their predicament. While most of the measures are familiar to policy makers and social activists, the challenge lies in the coordination and management of these approaches.

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

Encouraging Choice: Aging, Labour Supply and Older Workers
Briefing Note
November 2005

The Policy Research Initiative has developed a report on population aging and future labour supply issues, with a focus on encouraging older workers to extend their working lives by delaying or phasing into retirement. The PRI concurs with much of recent OECD analysis, having cooperated in the production of that report. However, the PRI report uses a new analytical instrument (LifePaths) to look in more detail at Canadian labour supply factors. The result is a nuanced analysis tailored to the Canadian context.

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

The Federal Public Service Case Study
Briefing Note
November 2005

As part of the interdepartmental project Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility, the Policy Research Initiative has studied the likely consequences of aging on the federal public service workforce. This study was undertaken by the PRI in collaboration with Treasury Board Secretariat, the Public Service Commission, and Statistics Canada.

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

Encouraging Choice in Work and Retirement
Project Report
October 2005

This report evaluates the extent of the economic risk to society posed by population aging and specifically the baby boom retirement. It emphasizes the need to maintain a healthy economy and fiscal prudence, while still respecting the opportunity and need for people to exercise choice in the best interests of their families, society, and themselves.

Social Capital

Social Capital in Action
Thematic Policy Studies
September 2005

The project established interdepartmental working groups to oversee the development of a series of thematic policy studies by experts on the best available evidence in areas of strategic importance to the Government of Canada. Eight specific policy and program areas are examined in a Canadian context: poverty reduction, healthy aging, settlement of new immigrants, educational outcomes of Aboriginal youth, youth civic engagement, community crime prevention, policing in First Nations communities, and the role of local associations in community development.

Social Capital

Measurement of Social Capital
Reference Document for Public Policy Research, Development, and Evaluation
September 2005

This report provides an analysis of efforts to measure social capital and concludes with key recommendations for future measurement efforts in a public policy context.

Social Capital

Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool
Project Report
September 2005

This report provides a synthesis of the key findings from the PRI social capital project in the areas of conceptualization, implications for public policy, and measurement efforts.

Social Capital

Social Capital: A Tool for Public Policy
Briefing Note
September 2005

This note provides a concise and accessible executive summary of the Project's findings and recommendations.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Housing Policy and Practice in the Context of Poverty and Exclusion
Synthesis Report
August 2005

Housing challenges often play a role in poverty and exclusion as both a determinant and an outcome. Following a PRI-SSHRC Policy Research Roundtable on this topic and subsequent research by the PRI, this paper explores these connections, outlines the situation in Canada, and assesses ways to improve housing and poverty outcomes.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

What We Need to Know About the Social Economy
A Guide for Policy Research
July 2005

The guide provides background on the social economy, identifies research issues whose examination would support the development of policies and programs, provides suggestions for how this research might be conducted, and points to some useful information sources.

North American Linkages

NAFTA Rules of Origin
Discussion Paper
June 2005

NAFTA rules of origin, although intended to distinguish between NAFTA originating goods and non-originating goods, can result in unexpected consequences and economic costs. In this study, we examine the empirical evidence addressing key issues related to the use of NAFTA rules of origin in Canada-US bilateral trade. Moreover, we examine the factors that influence importers’ decisions regarding the choice between using NAFTA and MFN status, and provide supporting econometric evidence.

Sustainable Development

Integrated Landscape Management Modelling
Workshop Report
June 2005

Integrated Landscape Management Modelling (ILMM) is a powerful tool for bringing a wide range of specialist expertise to bear on land-use decisions and environmental impact assessments. This report shows how a national capacity for ILMM could be developed in Canada.

North American Linkages

Policy Implications of a Canada-US Customs Union
Discussion Paper
June 2005

This discussion paper, prepared by the Centre for Trade Policy and Law, explores a range of challenging policy issues related to a potential Canada-US customs. The authors explore the principle elements of a customs union and find that through a process of policy convergence, Canada could enter a customs union with a modest increase in the level of obligations already inherent in current trade agreements.

Exploring New Approaches to Social Policy

Synthesis Report
March 2005

This synthesis report presents our summaries from the recent PRI conference, Exploring New Approaches to Social Policy. The conference was held in Ottawa in December 2004.

Sustainable Development

Economic Instruments for Water Demand Management in an Integrated Water Resources Management Framework
Synthesis Report
February 2005

This report is a synthesis paper based in part on an Experts Symposium held in June of 2004. It reviews the use of economic instruments for water demand management, such as pricing and markets.

Sustainable Development

A Fresh Look at Freshwater
Pamphlet
January 2005

This pamphlet outlines the background and plans for the PRI's freshwater project.

North American Linkages

Canada-US Regulatory Co-operation: Charting a Path Forward
Interim Report
December 2004

This interim report presents the PRI's research to date on the potential benefits of expanding regulatory co-operation between Canada and the United States, and the approaches available to Canada. The report presents options for a more strategic and concerted effort to improve regulatory co-operation with the United States in order to secure greater economic benefits, while simultaneously safeguarding and improving the integrity of the regulatory system.

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

A Life-Course Approach to Social Policy Analysis
A Proposed Framework
December 2004

This paper presents a proposal for a framework to describe the goals and results of social policies. It suggests that a life-course approach, focusing on the trajectories of individuals through life, may be the proper foundation to build this framework. At a minimum, the proposed framework is providing a way of conceptualizing the relationships between individuals and society that is consistent with emerging thinking about social policy. It could also be a practical policy tool, leading to the real beginning of an evidence-driven social policy.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Poverty and Exclusion: Normative Approaches to Policy Research
November 2004

The understanding of equality issues that informed our current social policy infrastructure predated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Case law dealing with human, equality, and international rights has evolved significantly in the interim. Moreover, Canada's adherence to several international human rights agreements has not, by and large, been reflected in Canadian law or in domestic policy making. This report examines these normative shifts, and makes a case for the systematic, front-loaded integration of legal norms into horizontal policy development.

North American Linkages

Canada-US Regulatory Co-operation
Symposium Report
October 2004

This report summarizes a joint Policy Research Initiative/Social Sciences and the Humanities Research Council symposium on Canada – U.S. regulatory cooperation held on October 29, 2004. Over 50 experts from government, academia, industry, non-government organizations and other research institutions participated in a rich discussion of key issues arising from the PRI's Interim Report Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation: Charting a Path Forward.

Social Captial

Expert Workshop on the Measurement of Social Capital for Public Policy
Synthesis Report
September 2004

This document is a synthesis report from the Expert workshop on measuring social capital for public policy purposes, held on June 8th, 2004. It provides an outline of the presentations and discussions held by the experts . The exercise was to identify essential elements of a "toolbox" for analyzing social capital for purposes of developing and assessing government programs and policies.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Financial Capability and Poverty
Discussion Paper
August 2004

This discussion paper, prepared by the Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI), focuses on developing financial literacy as a complementary strategy to asset building through a review of existing research and current initiatives in Canada and abroad.

Genomics, Health and Society

Emerging Issues for Public Policy
Symposium Report
August 2004

Genomic technologies hold great promise of benefits for Canadians, but also pose enormous social, ethical and legal challenges. The symposium, Genomics, Health and Society: Emerging Issues for Public Policy, held in Ottawa on March 24 and 25, 2004 was an effort to bring together experts and policy makers to better understand the implications of rapid advances in this human science for individuals, societies, and economies. This report captures the essence of the presentations and the discussions.

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

Views on Life-Course Flexibility and Canada's Aging Population
Discussion Paper
July 2004

This paper describes the methodologies used in, and the results coming out of, focus groups that were organized to better understand Canadians preferences concerning the allocation of time for work, care-giving, education and leisure, their preferences concerning the time at which they intend to retire. Canadians that participated to these focus groups were also ask for their opinions on policies that could support the reallocation of time over the course of life.

North American Linkages

The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions
Roundtable Report
June 2004

The Policy Research Initiative in partnership with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council organized on June 21-22, 2004 a roundtable on the emergence of cross-border regions. More than 50 participants mostly from academia, think tanks and the Government of Canada participated in this event.

Population Aging and Life-Course Flexibility

The Pivotal Role of Increased Choice in The Retirement Decision
Discussion Paper
March 2004

The Policy Research Initiative is exploring the hypothesis that major economic and social gains could flow from policy-induced changes in the allocation of time throughout life. This Discussion Paper presents the key research questions that are guiding the PRI's interdepartmental project on this subject. The paper reports on the evidence obtained so far, and outlines where more work is necessary.

Social Capital

The Opportunity and Challenge of Diversity: A Role for Social Capital?
Synthesis Report
March 2004

Included in this synthesis report of the PRI-OECD international conference, is an overview of the conference proceedings. In addition, Meyer Burstein, a policy expert in the field of immigrant integration, as well as a co-founder of the Metropolis Project, has provided a comprehensive analysis of the conference proceedings and of the potential policy role for social capital in this field.

New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion

Exploring the Promise of Asset-Based Social Policies
Synthesis Report
February 2004

The report provides a synthesis of the key issues discussed at a conference held in December 2003. The participants at the conference learned from existing research, policy, and practice in the area of asset-building and low-income savings, and had a chance to assess critically the appropriateness, merit, and applicability of an asset–based approach to social policy in Canada.

Genomics, Health and Society

Emerging Issues for Public Policy
January 2004

Edited by Bartha Maria Knoppers and Charles Scriver, this new volume tackles critical issues that will need to be addressed for us to reap the potentially tremendous health and economic benefits that genomics promises, while managing the associated risks. Fourteen papers deal with a range of topics, including genetic medicine and privacy, issues of intellectual property, and implications for the developing world.

Sustainable Development

Advancing Sustainable Development in Canada: Policy Issues and Research Needs
November 2003

This publication outlines the seven most important issues Canada faces in terms of sustainable development, aside from climate change. Analysts from approximately ten federal departments as well as researchers from the academic community provided input for the report.

Social Capital

International Conference: The Opportunity and Challenge of Diversity: A Role for Social Capital?
Background Documents
November 2003

This conference was organized by the Government of Canada's Policy Research Initiative, jointly with the OECD, and in partnership with several federal departments, to examine the role of social capital in the inclusion of immigrants and members of ethno-cultural communities, and to identify the potential opportunities and challenges that a social capital perspective poses for public policy.

Not Strangers in These Parts: Urban Aboriginal Peoples
October 2003

This recent publication focuses on issues affecting Aboriginal people living in urban areas. Edited by Professors David Newhouse (Trent University) and Evelyn Peters (University of Saskatchewan), this book features 16 papers, each analyzing different issues concerning urban Aboriginal people in Canada.

Trends Project Series

The Trends Project Series , an undertaking of the PRI, was conceived as an innovative model for engaging the academic community in the policy process. With the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) , the project seeks both to strengthen policy capacity and to ensure that policy development benefits from the work of academics and researchers. Trends comprises six books on the following topics: environment, multiple centres of power, North American integration, value change, aging, and social differentiation.

These books are published by the University of Toronto Press in English and by Les Presses de l'Université de Montréal in French, and are available in most bookstores.

Isuma : Canadian Journal of Policy Research (discontinued)

The PRI has realigned its activities and products in order to focus resources on emerging policy research priorities. We regret to announce that the August 2002 edition of Isuma (on Sustainable Development) was the last issue of that publication.

Horizons is now the PRI's principle vehicle for highlighting work from federal government policy researchers and external experts on issues that relate closely to the PRI horizontal research projects and activities.

We would like to thank all those who helped develop and support Isuma, and we look forward to your continued collaboration on other PRI dissemination vehicles.