Publications

In our study of 20 small and mid-sized Canadian communities, the number and depth of newspaper articles about civic affairs declined sharply between 2008 and 2017, leaving citizens less informed about their democratic institutions.

Democracy has been made vulnerable to attack by hate speech and disinformation on digital and social platforms. Policy must be implemented to reconcile freedom of speech and freedom of the press with these online news threats to democracy.

This report summarizes what we heard during five roundtables held through spring 2018 and which explored actions and policies aimed at ensuring values-based sport is an intentional and fundamental part of the Canadian sport system, from playground to podium.

This report summarizes what was heard at two roundtables on how to enhance the Canada-U.S. border with tech to facilitate trade. 

PPF hosted Ontario's first Digital Inclusion Summit back in February. Now, the summary report is available with key takeaways from the event that sparked a larger conversation on making the internet work for all.

The Public Policy Forum’s 2018 Atlantic Summit is the first major initiative in a 3-year project. From 2018-2020 we will conduct research, engage communities and decision makers, and work to support the momentum building behind the Atlantic Growth Strategy. The focus of our first year has been on demographics and the role of immigration as one approach to attract, and keep, the talented people who make Atlantic Canada home.

The innovation stars are out and shining over Canada as the Governor General’s Innovation Awards are handed out to six laureates and teams for 2018.

Indigenous youth had clear ideas on how to find the legitimacy needed for reconciliation at the Public Policy Forum's (PPF) Nov. 29 unconference in Regina. This report highlights their six recommendations. In August 2017, the Centre for Public Impact approached PPF to be a part of a global project that explores What is legitimacy? How is it achieved and preserved? How does it manifest in different parts of the world? PPF brought together 21 young Indigenous people to discuss if the Government of Canada has the legitimacy to deliver on its commitment to Indigenous Peoples and how it can work to build the trust and transparency required.

In this report, the Public Policy Forum (PPF) analyzes the current and evolving role of agents at the federal and provincial levels to provide recommendations on how oversight and guidance in the administration of policies can be improved while maintaining their autonomy within Canada’s Westminster system.

This report is the culmination of a project that engaged Canadians in roundtable discussions about access barriers, the role of real-world evidence in system improvement, and how to move the healthcare system forward. Participants’ recommendations on reducing barriers to access, strengthening data and evidence and finding balance in our healthcare system.

Atlantic Canada is taking action to rebuild its aging and slow-growing population: The region needs to attract - and keep - more newcomers.

Transparent and Level: Modernizing Political Financing in Canada makes eight recommendations aiming to strengthen political finance regulations in Canada. It follows a literature review and a roundtable discussion on political financing on October 11, 2017 that was co-convened with Elections Canada. The day was divided into three discussions focused on the following themes: public and private financing, transparency and campaign spending.

This report seeks the path forward for Canada’s energy future. We examine what a low-carbon future means for R&I communities and their economic well-being, and identify strategies and policies that will put R&I communities on a path to resilient and clean economies.

This report provides key policy recommendations to ensure a comprehensive national framework led by the federal government.

How do we prepare Canada’s workforce to lead in the global clean energy sector?