Education

A new initiative to support economic growth by building a workforce with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a crisis that mobilized organizations and economies – one that tested both the operational assumptions and preparedness of every public sector organization in Canada. Given the adage, “never let a good crisis go to waste”, this paper takes the opportunity to consider digital transformation in the time of pandemic and to offer recommendations to organizations as they consider how best to approach digital transformation, security, and workers, post-pandemic.

Following PPF's 2020 report, Science Disinformation in a Time of Pandemic, PPF renews the project to continue the conversation with 2021's new initiative, Responding to Science Disinformation. In this report, fellow Peter Loewen and Eric Merkley consider the ways in which technology has impacted the spread of misinformation throughout the public, and how and in what ways policy makers can challenge misinformation without stifling free speech and freedom of expression.

In April 2020, the Energy Future Forum convened a plenary session on the critical importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and full Indigenous participation and ownership in Canada’s energy development. The following is a blended transcript edited for clarity and conciseness of Indigenous economic leaders Alicia Dubois, Tabatha Bull, Mark Podlasly, J.P. Gladu and Kim Baird. These leaders spoke about their vision for economic reconciliation, the challenge of access to capital and the opportunity UNDRIP presents to catalyze economic development by making real partnership a prerequisite for any project to move forward in Canada.

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.

As the current federal government endeavours to be the first to act materially on the promise of child care for all, questions of quality, affordability, accessibility and inclusion will stand in line behind jurisdictional bargaining.

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.

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.

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.

Past Event

During a recent session of the Series on Indigenous Issues and Initiatives organized by PPF and Stratéjuste Canada, Indspire President and CEO Mike DeGagné spoke of what he sees as ways for post-secondary institutions to support Indigenous success in the coming years.

Past Event

If skills are the new currency of the 21st century, we need to clarify the terms of exchange. Competency frameworks are critical to reducing friction in the skills and employment ecosystem by providing more clarity on how we define, assess, develop and utilize skills. Join the authors of a new Skills Next report and our esteemed panelists on Nov. 13.

Past Event

Tech-Enabled Innovations in the Skills and Employment Ecosystem | Skills Next

The COVID-19 crisis has derailed the careers of millions of Canadians. To support them, workforce leaders, and policy and decision makers need to mobilize education and training systems in some key ways – starting with robust labour market information and laying the foundation for a national system of lifelong learning.