Climate change is affecting more and more regions across the globe, threatening to create as many as 200 million environmental migrants by 2050. While Canada is seen as a top destination for refugee resettlement and is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the international agreement doesn’t recognize climate threats as a reason for fleeing.Continue reading "Climate Refugees and Canada’s Role as a Middle Power"

Today is election day. As Canadians head to the polls, we take a look at issues that don’t usually garner a lot of attention during the campaign. The first interview is with Yves Giroux, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, to discuss the work his office is doing costing the party’s platforms during the campaign. Then MelContinue reading "Election Special"

Public Policy Forum (PPF) is a non-profit organization that offers diverse participants in the field of public policy a platform to explore and discuss policy issues. In this episode, we will be discussing two articles from PPF’s “12 Ways to Get Ahead of Disruption” series. Canada’s Infrastructure Revival: Let’s Get the Biggest Bang for OurContinue reading "Getting Ahead of Disruption"

Today’s episode chronicles the travels of a small group of young Canadian professionals that recently traveled to Bali to be apart of Canada’s national delegation to a host of international development conferences hosted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. This selection of live quotes from the events from leading public policy and internationalContinue reading "Reaching towards The Sustainable Development Goals: A Discussion with the Young Diplomats of Canada Delegation"

  Earlier this year, the Government of Ontario announced changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). These changes include the elimination of free tuition through grants for lower-income students, a decrease in the maximum income threshold to qualify for the program,  a reduction in the percentage of grants available, the elimination of the 6-monthContinue reading "The Weekly: The Impact of OSAP Changes on Lower-Income Students – A Conversation with Dr. Andrew Parkin"

  This week, in collaboration with the Gender, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative, we discuss how women in politics is changing the narrative, shattering glass ceilings and paving the way for future generations of female leadership in North America, with guest Gabrielle Gallant.   Credits: Kaidie Williams, producer & host Aneet Gill, producer & host EmmaContinue reading "The Weekly: Equity, Inclusion & Public Policy"

We are currently living in a time of unprecedented urbanization that is transforming the planet and the way we live. Being resilience means to be ahead, think ahead — Chrystelle Maechler With a greater concentration of people and assets in urban cities, the impact of natural disasters and a changing climate can be devastating. UrbanContinue reading "Urban Resilience"

On today’s show we will be discussing some potential policy responses to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. As strategies to tackle the opioid crisis have been a focal point of all levels of government, various stakeholders have proposed taking a public health response to address the ongoing national epidemic. In the first half of 2018,Continue reading "The Opioid Crisis"

Sidewalk Labs is owned by Alphabet Inc., a sister company of Google. Their goal is to improve urban infrastructure through technological innovation, to promote affordable living, efficient transportation, and environmental sustainability. That being said, Sidewalk Labs’ Quayside Project at Waterfront Toronto, first announced in 2017, has been subject to a great deal of criticism regardingContinue reading "Data Privacy in Smart Cities: An Inside Look at Sidewalk Labs’ Quayside Project"

  The Munk School of Public Policy is fortunate to be home to multiple student-led groups who pursue important work and invite interesting guests throughout the year. This episode is about two of those events. We will first be hearing from Professor Bob Rae who, alongside Professor Verne Ross, was invited in November 2019 byContinue reading "The Munk School Student Events: LGBTQ+ Activism & Indigenous Child Welfare"

Welcome to this another exciting episode of Beyond the Headlines! On this episode will be discussing the policy responses to address the increase in gun-related violence. As strategies to combat gun violence have been a focal point within all levels of government, various stakeholders have proposed solutions that target the policing and sociological issues thatContinue reading "Gun Violence: Various Perspectives"

  The definition of E-Health has many variations, but what it generally refers to is electronic communications and processes supporting health practices. Since 2008, the Ontario government has been focused on implementing a province-wide medical records database. This would create a single forum for physicians, pharmacies, testing centres, and patients to access. Theoretically this wouldContinue reading "E-Health Ontario"

This week, in collaboration with the Gender, Diversity and Public Policy Initiative, we discuss diversity in policy and what it entails. In particular, we talk about how spaces for diversity are carved at the Public Policy Program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Credits:  Hiba Siddiqui, Senior GDPP Analyst Sarah Khan, GDPP Analyst HabibaContinue reading "The Weekly: Carving Spaces for Diversity in Policy"

  Since 1994 Canada, U.S. and Mexico have been economically tied through the North American Free Trade Agreement, harmonizing and liberalizing cross-border trade flows in a variety of exports and labour movements. That was until the election of Donald Trump, who called NAFTA the “worst trade agreement in history” and resolved to renegotiate the termsContinue reading "The 411 on USMCA: What You Didn’t Think About"

On November 6, 2018, Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos released Canada’s Poverty Reduction Act. The federal legislation defines Canada’s official poverty line for the first time and sets targets to reduce poverty. Our weekly team discusses the implications of Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy with Joe Gunn from Citizens for Public Justice andContinue reading "The Weekly: Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy"

  On October 23, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada’s federal carbon tax. Our weekly team breaks down how pollution pricing will affect Canadians with David McLaughlin from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) Guests: David McLaughlin, Director of Climate Change Canada, International Institute forContinue reading "The Weekly: Canada’s Carbon Tax"

Beyond the Headlines is debuting its very first The Weekly episode! Tune in to our discussions of the societal implications of Cannabis Legalization in Canada. Credits: Aryeh Ansel Jasper Paredes Dimitri Trehels Vienna Vendittelli Music Credits: Over Everything by Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile

In May 2018, a group of six young Canadians came together from around the world to serve as Ambassadors of the Young Diplomats of Canada to the OECD Forum 2018 in Paris. The Youth Delegation met with high-level leaders and thinkers from around the globe, to discuss what the future will look like for youth and to reflect on what brings us together.

Addressing inequality is arguably one of the most challenging issues in public policy. How we choose to acknowledge past, present and future inequalities; how we measure and identify this issue; whether we address concerns on the basis of inequality of outcome or opportunity; and what policies we ultimately should implement to tackle inequality remain importantContinue reading "Addressing Intergenerational Mobility: A Discussion with Dr. Miles Corak"

This episode is part two of BTH’s examination of net neutrality in the Canadian context.  Listen to part one here. On Thursday, December 14th 2017 the United States Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal Net Neutrality regulations originally implemented by the Obama administration. What is the importance of Net Neutrality in the Canadian context? WhatContinue reading "Net Neutrality Part Two: A Discussion with Martin Masse"

  More than 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to poor air quality levels that exceed the safe World Health Organization (WHO) Standards.  A declining air quality is associated with a host of health problems, including risk of stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, allergies and asthma. It is also linked to approximatelyContinue reading "Clearing the Air: Examining Global Air Pollution"

On Thursday, December 14th 2017 the United States Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal Net Neutrality regulations originally implemented by the Obama administration. What is the importance of Net Neutrality in the Canadian context? What is the broader issue at play here? And how do we uphold the affordability and openness of the internet, whileContinue reading "Net Neutrality in the Canadian Context"

The Ford+SPPG Conference is a collaborative student-led case competition held between the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy and Governance, and the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Both schools meet for a full-day case competition to pitch a policy proposal about a looming issue affecting both Canada and theContinue reading "2018 Ford+SPPG Conference: What the Tech? Unpacking the Challenges and Opportunities of Disruptive Technologies"

This is the fourth episode of the BTH Insight Series, where we examine various policy topics within the hour. Topics discussed include the Rohingya crisis with Jonah Kotzer interviewing former Ontario premier Bob Rae, and Tony Yin on immigration policy with University of Toronto Associate Professor Phil Triadafilopoulos. The Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar Bob Rae was theContinue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 4: The Rohingya Crisis and Immigration Policy in Western Liberal Democracies"

The creation of public policy is more than fleshing out content within a policy but also about how it is distributed and understood by the public. Communication can emphasize or inform how the public perceives policy initiatives as well as informing the overall identity of an organization or government. Beyond informing the public about policies,Continue reading "A Story to Tell: Communications at the Center"

Beyond the Headlines is produced through the School of Public Policy and Governance (SPPG)  which allows us to engage deeply with policy professionals through panels, case competitions, and special guest talks. This episode goes in depth to explore the SPPG events and the insights from our distinguished guests. Today we will hear from George Smitherman,Continue reading "SPPG Student Events: LGBTQ+ Leadership and Affordable Rental Housing"

In June of 2016, nearly 47 million UK citizens voted in a nationwide referendum to leave the European Union. With a 52% majority vote, the UK opted to be the first Member to leave the world’s largest and only political and economic union, and subsequently restore sovereignty. Prime Minister David Cameron, resigned shortly thereafter. TheContinue reading "The Economic Impact of Brexit"

On this episode of BTH we will be comparing social welfare policy between a few select Latin American countries to that of the North American model, specifically Canada. We will look at how their alternative welfare distribution methods relate to the broader discussion of reducing poverty, domestic politics, reducing regional disparity within indigenous communities, andContinue reading "Comparing Global Welfare Politics"

A central role of government revolves around the allocation of resources. This includes  raising or lowering taxes, deciding which programs to allocate funding to and determining how much of the fiscal pie to give to each program. The nuances of fiscal policy often get lost in the fray.  How can governments ensure that programs CanadiansContinue reading "Beyond the Budget: Examining Canadian Fiscal Policy"

Since entering office in 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has successfully followed through on many of his campaign promises. He made gender identity a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, he rolled out a universal child care benefit to better support the needs of Canadian families, he put a price onContinue reading "The Economics of Marijuana Legalization"

The assumption within the standard or mainstream economics, that individuals act to maximize their long-term best interest, have stable preferences, and are consistent rational actors has served as a useful benchmark for predicting behavior. This model of human behavior has influenced the design of public policy.  Yet, these traditional economic incentives sometimes prove ineffective. TheContinue reading "Behavioural Economics and Public Policy"

  This is the third episode of the BTH Insight Series, where we examine various policy topics within the hour. Topics discussed include energy governance, elections and not-for-profits and their role in their social procurement. United Way Social Procurement As the largest non-governmental supporter of social services in the region, United Way Toronto & York Region hasContinue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 3: United Way Social Procurement, the Ontario Election and Energy Governance"

  The holiday season can be a period of warmth for friends and family: the images of chestnuts roasting around the fireplace; the gift-giving rituals to loved ones in our lives; the celebratory end to another year as we set new goals for us to reach in the upcoming one. However, for others in Canada,Continue reading "Social Services in the Holidays"

  The Government of Canada’s recent announcement of an Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee has reaffirmed the unique political predicament the Inuit peoples of Canada face. It is paramount that the reconciliatory endeavors of the Canadian government recognize and are sensitive to that uniqueness. As well as contending with a host of issues felt broadly by theContinue reading "Inuit Reconciliation and Self-Governance"

    This show is part 2 to the previous show on Affordable Housing and Homelessness about the landscape of affordable housing and homelessness in Canada and some of the policy responses taking place from all levels of government and community organizations. It comes as no surprise that the nation has a housing crisis inContinue reading "Affordable Housing and the National Strategy"

  This is the second episode of the BTH Insight Series, where we examine various policy topics within the hour. On today’s show, we discuss the barriers Canadian women face in accessing the abortion pill Myfegimiso, the public security, safety, and privacy implications of cryptography, and the labour market barriers faced by people living withContinue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 2: Cryptography, Abortion Access and Disability Rights in the Labour Market"

  This is part 2 of a 2 part series. On our last show about abortion access barriers in Canada, we provided listeners with an on the ground look by talking to non-profit organizations and activists to see how accessing abortion is still an issue in Canada. This week, we take a bit of aContinue reading "Abortion Access Barriers Part 2"

  The election of Donald Trump has brought renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement to the forefront of Canada’s trade priorities. Discussions have ranged from our agricultural supply regimes to tariffs, but one potentially transformative aspect relates to digital rights. NAFTA, which came into force in January of 1994, was the first internationalContinue reading "NAFTA in the Digital Era"

  The significant growth in LGBTQ rights organizations around the world has led to advances in LGBTQ rights and calls for further changes. However, there has also been increase in systemic discrimination and violence against LGBTQ populations in certain regions around the world. It is illegal to be gay in over 75 countries around theContinue reading "Rainbow Refuge: LGBTQ Refugees in Canada"

How do we decide when the occult and the paranormal are real or fake? Is that the place of the criminal justice system? When do we deem someone’s religious practises “authentic”? Today, to discuss witchcraft legislation, social stigma and bill-C51, we will be joined by criminal defence attorney Jordan Palmer and tarot card reader Vanessa Robak. We willContinue reading "Witchcraft and Zombie Laws"

  This week’s show is about affordable housing and homelessness in Ontario, the GTA, and across the country. The nation is currently in a housing crisis as the housing market lacks supply of social and affordable housing.  The costs of living in cities across Canada for shelter and basic necessities is steady increasing. Additionally,  Continue reading "Housing and Homelessness"

  This week’s show is the first episode of the Insight Series, a new BTH series where we discuss seveal different policy areas within the hour. 1) Health Innovation Follow-up: In the first episode of the season, BTH examined how innovation can help to improve supply management of hospitals and Canada’s health system. Medical errorContinue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 1: City Hall Reform & Health Innovation"

In 1988, abortion was legalized in R. v Morgentaler, which said that the abortion provisions in place at the time were unconstitutional as they violated a woman’s right to security of person under section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Currently, abortion is funded by the Canada Health Act, yet how provincesContinue reading "Abortion Access Barriers"

  Performance of North American healthcare systems lag woefully behind other OECD countries. Patient safety is a particular challenge. Every year 70,000 Canadians experience preventable, serious injury while hospitalized and 23 000 of those individuals do not survive that injury. Furthermore, medical error is now the third leading cause of death in North America behindContinue reading "The New Value Proposition for Health"

Child Mortality is a core indicator for child health and well-being. The toll of children under the age of five over the past two decades is staggering: between 1990 and 2015, 236 million children worldwide died before their fifth birthday. In 2000, the world leaders agreed on one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) asContinue reading "Child Mortality"

Toronto has recently been named a ‘major hub’ for human trafficking within Canada. Of all police-reported cases nationwide, 65% occur in Ontario alone. According to a study conducted by the Alliance Against Modern Slavery in 2014, it was estimated that in Canada 71% of human trafficking cases involved domestic sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is definedContinue reading "Sex Trafficking in Canada"

The Canadian criminal justice system continues to fail the many survivors of sexual assault. For survivors, the experience of seeking help from law enforcement and going to court often deepens their existing wounds and trauma. Despite increased attention, sexual assault conviction rates remain meagre: one in five reports of sexual assault are treated as baselessContinue reading "Sexual Assault and the Judicial System"

Since the 45th president of the United States has taken office, there have been unprecedented executive orders, feuds with foreign leaders, and disagreements between the country’s executive and judicial branches. The controversial travel ban targeting 7 countries in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as Mr. Trump’s divisive rhetoric, has led to aContinue reading "Trump: A Canadian Perspective"

Food insecurity is a growing issue amongst communities, leaving many Canadians without access to nutritious, affordable, sufficient, and culturally acceptable food. Food insecurity is often linked to poverty, unemployment, education, hunger, as well as environmental pollution. In response, a strategic approach to food is needed to address these issues and an understanding of how the MunicipalContinue reading "Food Security Part 2"

Ontario is facing a spike in opioid related overdoses as a result of what many experts outline as an increase in opioid prescribing over the past few decades. Reports have stated that one in eight deaths of Ontarians between the ages of 25 and 34 is related to opioid use, and Toronto has seen a 77 percent increaseContinue reading "Opioid Crisis in Ontario"