Disruption & Technology

Immigration in the Era of Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities for Canada

This paper examines the intersection of these two subjects: remote work and immigration. Our recommendations will help attract immigrants to take part in a new Canadian economy that features remote work.

Recommendations to Strengthen Canada’s Response to the Spread of Disinformation Online

In our second year, we again invited Canadians to volunteer to advise the Commission on Democratic Expression as well as the federal government on the regulation of digital platforms. In the midst of a pandemic, more than 600 Canadians volunteered to serve and 42 were randomly selected to represent the provinces and territories.

New North Star III

Canada’s prosperity has relied too heavily on the here and now of deficit spending, booming real estate and debt-financed household consumption. We must instead redirect investment to the wealth and well-being of the future, particularly our ability to invent and innovate, generate world-leading technologies and firms and ultimately capture global markets. The invention and adoption of new products, services and processes must be the foundation of rising productivity and long-term prosperity.

Report 6: Three Areas in Which Pandemic Management Could Have Been Better

Members of Canada’s political class should on balance receive at least a passing grade for their management of the pandemic, and Canadians should be both proud and worried about policymakers’ performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three areas in which they could have done better include: keeping schools open, using technology to combat the pandemic, and prioritizing vaccine targeting.

Let’s build a better Canada together. Whether you’re looking to support our mission by becoming a member, partnering with us on a project or sponsoring an event, your engagement helps drive informed, inclusive policy across the country.

Frontiers and Borders: The Internet and the Amplification of Illiberalism

"Truth is an inescapable foundation of the liberal order and is in a precarious state in today’s liberal democracy. Our ability to address difficult issues such as climate change or electoral integrity is compromised if truth and public opinion become confused.” Edward Greenspon’s recent essay examines liberalism’s complex state of flux in an age of internet dominance. Greenspon draws on his firsthand experiences as a journalist covering the ascent of liberalism in the late 1980s and early 1990s, using it as a jump-off point for considering the ongoing struggle between the frontiers of change and social progress versus the borders of insecurity and social stability.

PPF and TD Bank Group announce a major research project on economic and financial inclusion

The Public Policy Forum and TD Bank Group (TD) today announced a new collaboration that will explore new ways to secure fairer access to economic opportunity for all Canadians.

New Working Arrangements

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rapid rise in the number of Canadians who are teleworking. While for many the transition has been positive, and a significant number of workers and employers indicate an interest in continuing teleworking arrangements post-pandemic, there are inequalities in access and ability to telework. As teleworking will likely continue for many workers post-pandemic, taking steps to resolve these inequalities will be an important part of Canada’s economic recovery, as will ensuring that all Canadians are able to access the skills and training they need to succeed in this new working arrangement.

Digital Infrastructure for the Post-Pandemic World

The emergence of COVID-19 forced a shift away from workplaces and schools to online working and learning, but this digital transformation has not been evenly experienced by all Canadians. This report examines the key components of Canada's essential digital infrastructure system, highlights worrying inequalities that exist within this system, and offers recommendations on how to quickly reduce some of the most glaring obstacles that prevent many of those who would benefit the most from accessing training, education and employment opportunities digitally from doing so.

Canada’s Moonshot: Charting a Mission-Oriented Innovation Strategy

No more safe bets and inching innovation. Canada needs it’s own national advanced research agency to drive innovation breakthroughs and build bridges to market.

Job Polarization in Canada

Job polarization is one of several trends — including automation, offshoring and the growing importance of the gig-economy — that were already of general interest prior to the onset of the pandemic, but which have been pushed even further into the centre of public policy discussions by the arrival of COVID-19. As Canadian policymakers consider how to build back the economy after the pandemic, addressing the problems created by job polarization needs to figure prominently in their priorities.

Northern Innovators Showcase

Innovative businesses and community leaders from across the Canadian North.