PPOL: Public Policy

An independent think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia.
"...created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada’s relations with Asia.
Headquartered in Vancouver, with an office in Toronto, we bring together people and knowledge to provide current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Canada’s transpacific relations."

"AIMS is an independent, non-partisan social and economic public policy think tank based in Halifax, NS. It examines such crucial issues as public education, health care, public finances, equalization, natural resources, Atlantica and demographics."

Policy research organization whose "...mandate is to further economic progress in Atlantic Canada ..."

"The Broadbent Institute is Canada’s leading progressive, independent organization championing change through the promotion of democracy, equality, and sustainability and the training of a new generation of leaders."

"... a non-profit, non-partisan organization composed of the chief executives of Canada’s leading enterprises, representing companies from every region and sector of the economy. "

"The C.D. Howe Institute is an independent not-for-profit organization that aims to raise Canadians’ living standards by fostering economically sound public policies."

"The Caledon Institute of Social Policy does rigorous, high-quality research and analysis; seeks to inform and influence public opinion and to foster public discussion on poverty and social policy; and develops and promotes concrete, practicable proposals for the reform of social programs at all levels of government and of social benefits provided by employers and the voluntary sector."

"Our mandate is to explore public policy issues of particular interest to western Canadians, to test national policies against regional aspirations and to ensure an effective regional voice in national policy discussions and the national political process."

"The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates."

The Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute is a charitable, independent, non-partisan research institute with an emphasis on Canadian foreign policy, defence policy, and international aid.

"The Canadian Energy Research Institute is an independent, not-for-profit research establishment created through a partnership of industry, academia, and government in 1975. Our mission is to provide relevant, independent, objective economic research in energy and related environmental issues."

"...an independent, non-partisan charitable organization that develops authoritative policy analysis devoted to encouraging Canada’s international involvement...". Areas of focus include trade, defence, development, diplomacy, international law and security.

"Our mission: To lead the world in framing and answering complex questions at the frontiers of understanding. We value knowledge for its own sake. Our research agenda is independent and unbounded by geography or academic discipline."

"The Canadian International Council (CIC) is Canada’s foreign relations council. It is an independent, member-based council established to strengthen Canada’s role in international affairs. The CIC reflects the ideas and interests of a broad constituency of Canadians who believe that a country’s foreign policy is not an esoteric concern of experts but directly affects the lives and prosperity of its citizens."

No longer operating, but archived reports are still online. "Through more than 700 publications, CPRN's work touches on many of the major socio-economic challenges facing Canadian society. We analyze important public policy issues in health care, supports to families, learning opportunities, job quality, and sustainable cities and communities."

"The Canadian Tax Foundation is Canada’s leading source of insight on tax issues. The Foundation promotes understanding of the Canadian tax system through analysis, research, and debate, and provides perspective and impartial recommendations concerning its equity, efficiency, and application."

The Centre for Foreign Policy Studies at Dalhousie University is concerned with teaching, research, publishing, policy advising, and other professional activities in the fields of Canadian and American foreign, security and defence policy, maritime security policy, and human security and global development studies.

"The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank on international governance. Led by experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements."

The Centre for the Study of Living Standards is a non-profit, national, independent organization that seeks to contribute to a better understanding of trends in and determinants of productivity, living standards and economic and social well-being through research.

"We are a non-governmental, non-profit think tank specializing in trade capacity building and institutional support services for public- and private-sector clients and international organizations"

An independent, non-profit, non-partisan applied research organization. The Conference Board of Canada specializes in a range of issues, notably economic trends, organizational performance, and public policy. Most of their reports are not free on their web site. The link above is to the U of C subscription; if you are accessing this page from off-site, you will need to authenticate with your U of C ID and PIN.

Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country. The Council works to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians.

EvidenceNetwork.ca is a non-partisan web-based project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Manitoba Health Research Council to make the latest evidence on controversial health policy issues available to the media.  This site links journalists with health policy experts to provide access to credible, evidence-based information.

The Fraser Institute publishes peer-reviewed research into critical economic and public policy issues including taxation, government spending, health care, school performance, and trade.

"The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is an independent, western Canada based public policy 'think tank' with offices in Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary. Our mission is to develop and popularize policy choices that will help Canada's prairie region live up to its vast but unrealized economic potential."

Founded in 1990, the George Morris Centre is a Canada-wide, not-for-profit charitable organization. As an independent think tank, the Centre provides industry decision makers with critical information and analysis on issues affecting the Canadian agri-products sector.

"Our research interests span local, regional, national and international public economics issues. We support research in all areas of public economics including theory, applied and policy research. Our research is critical, non-partisan, openly disseminated and independent of outside influences."

"The IRPP seeks to improve public policy in Canada by generating research, providing insight and sparking debate on current and emerging policy issues facing Canadians and their governments."

IPAC is an association of public servants, academics, and others interested in public administration. The Institute creates knowledge networks and leads public administration research in Canada.

"The IOG’s vision is to be the pre-eminent, independent Canadian source of knowledge, research and advice on governance and its continuous improvement."

IDRC is a Crown corporation, and a key part of Canada's foreign aid programming. IDRC helps developing countries to use science and technology to find solutions to local problems.

IISD is "a non-partisan, charitable organization specializing in policy research, analysis and information exchange. Through its head office in Winnipeg, Manitoba and its branches in Ottawa, Ontario; New York, NY; and Geneva, Switzerland IISD applies human ingenuity to help improve the well being of the world's environment, economy and society."

"The Liu Institute conducts and facilitates research on global issues, mobilizing knowledge into solutions and policy. The Institute takes an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach to explore new ideas and ways of learning to catalyze innovative thinking and positive societal change. Its current focus is on advancing sustainability, security, and social justice: understood as moving toward economic, social, and environmental interactions that promote the well-being of people in ways that are just, equitable, and sustainable."

A national public-policy think tank. Its mission os to propose "thoughtful [policy] alternatives through non-partisan and independent research and commentary."

"The Mowat Centre is an independent, non-partisan think tank. Our research focuses on the federal policy frameworks and strategies that will most strongly affect Ontario's prosperity and quality of life in the next century. Our research is comparative, our recommendations are evidence-based and our proposals are grounded in an understanding of how government works and what makes Canada special."

"The North-South Institute is Canada's oldest independent policy research institution specializing in effective international development. At NSI we focus on identifying policies and practices seeking to reduce poverty and global inequalities thereby contributing to the creation of a more prosperous and stable global community."

"Parkland Institute is an Alberta-wide, non-partisan research centre situated within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. Parkland Institute studies economic, social, cultural and political issues facing Albertans and Canadians, using the perspective of political economy."

"The Parliamentary Centre is a Canadian not-for-profit, non-partisan organization that supports parliaments around the world. Our assessment, strategic planning and training programs, combined with research products and networking channels, help legislatures measure their performance, build capacity, tackle key issues and promote mutual learning. In short – we help legislatures better serve their people."

"The Pembina Institute is a Canadian non-profit think tank that advances sustainable energy solutions through research, education, consulting and advocacy. We promote environmental, social and economic sustainability in the public interest by developing practical solutions for communities, individuals, governments and businesses."

"The Public Policy Forum is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of government in Canada through enhanced dialogue among the public, private and voluntary sectors."

RIIB is a research institute that was created when the Institute of International Business (IIB) and the Institute for Policy Analysis (IPA) merged in September 2008. Research priorities are the global business environment, enterprise decision making in the global economy and the urban service economy.

The School of Policy Studies contributes to the body of knowledge around critical policy issues for Canada and globally.
Faculty members publish books in the Schools' imprint McGill/Queen’s University Press, working papers, articles and other publications.
Affiliated with Queen's University's:

• Centre for International and Defence Policy
• Institute of Intergovernmental Relations
• Multiculturalism Policy Index
• Centre for Innovation in Healthcare Policy

Mission is to strengthen Canada' public service and to bridge the gap between business, government and academia. There are 3 areas of focus:

• Economic and Social Policy
• Energy and Environmental Policy
• International Policy