Inclusion

This paper examines how policy could help low-to-moderate income earners living in urban areas across Canada to access affordable rental housing. This would help them move from financial and psychological anguish to fully participating and thriving in society.

Past Event

PPF’s annual Fall Dinner will showcase two case studies, a keynote speaker, and a panel that will explore the topic of collaboration between different levels of government and other sectors during a global crisis.

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.

The impact of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been significant and severe. SMEs are the backbone of Canada’s economy, yet few have the resources to deal with the skills and labour shortages they face – shortages that the pandemic has only made worse. By combining preliminary data from an ongoing survey of SMEs, associated focus group discussions, and existing research, this report highlights opportunities to better support SMEs in the pandemic recovery and after. This includes a specific focus on embracing diversity and inclusion as a key way of addressing their skills needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many workplaces to innovate rapidly in order to simply survive. But innovation is a critical component of our economic prosperity even during normal times. To be successful, Canada’s skills strategies must address skills for innovation across sectors — from solo entrepreneurs, to small and medium-sized businesses, to large corporations and even within government itself. While Canada has made significant efforts to foster a strong innovation economy, the pandemic has helped to reveal where these efforts have created strong foundations for success as well as areas where much remains to be done.

Canada’s post-secondary institutions are well positioned for the future, thanks to innovative approaches and a willingness to use technological advances in education. COVID-19 has challenged these institutions, but they have showed adaptability under pressure by accelerating their adoption of innovations. However, some challenges predate the pandemic such as better inclusion of equity-seeking groups in higher education. Better funding models and greater flexibility can build greater resilience and agility into the system while addressing long-standing challenges and inequities.

Immigration is an important part of Canada’s economic growth – especially in terms of sustaining the labour market. And although Canada welcomes many immigrants on our shores, we aren't creating an employment environment where they can use their skills and credentials to their fullest potential. This fact has never been more clear, with immigrants disproportionately impacted by a decimated hospitality and service sectors due to recurring pandemic lockdowns. There are several steps Canada needs to take to fix this problem, and doing so will benefit not just immigrants but Canada's economy as well.

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.

A one-size-fits-all approach to pandemic recovery will not work. Programs tailored to the specific needs of specific groups will be important for a strong recovery, as will equitable access to critical supports, such as the infrastructure needed to overcome the digital divide. Businesses, governments and employees must all commit to reskilling — particularly when it comes to those from diverse groups who face barriers and bias — to develop an effective and inclusive skills and employment ecosystem that leaves no one behind.  

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada is looking for paths forward to build back better. After a year of invaluable lessons learned, what do we know? What do we want to strengthen? What are we willing to change? What are the assets and building blocks for a stronger future?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted fundamental gaps in our agricultural system. For the first time in generations, many Canadians saw empty grocery store shelves and became acutely aware of the challenges facing our domestic food system. What followed were COVID-19 outbreaks on farms and meat processing plants and temporary foreign workers who were delayed and stranded. The pandemic highlights vulnerabilities in Canada’s food supply-chain and the importance of a resilient agricultural sector.

Past Event

PPF is a supporting partner of this conference!

by Jasmine Gill

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a fiscal conundrum for governments: How can they dig themselves out of debt in a manner that protects the financial futures of younger generations? Governments should opt for a mix of fiscal strategies that favour smart tax increases.