Dear friend,

Like you, we at the IRPP are adapting to the new realities of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our first priority is the safety and good health of our staff, collaborators and audience. Our staff are working remotely, and we have postponed all in-person events until further notice. Nevertheless, we will continue to bring you thought-provoking analysis and research on the public policy challenges that are important to Canadians and their governments, virtually.

In the immediate term, we will focus our efforts on providing in-depth analysis on the policy impact of COVID-19. Policy Options magazine will be featuring a series on the implications of the outbreak for public health, intergovernmental collaboration, income support for workers and businesses, as well for a host of other policy areas. We will also be working on new research studies on skills and long-term trends in worker displacement, implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and social assistance support for singles in Canada. In due course, when the situation allows, we will resume our program of in-person events – including the national conference hosted by our new Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation. We will keep you informed of our activities through this newsletter and on social media.

No doubt, these are unprecedented times. But given our collective potential for policy ingenuity and strong action, I have every confidence Canada will rise to meet this challenge, as we have so many others before it. In the meantime, let’s do everything we can to look out for each other and keep in touch.

Be safe and stay healthy.

Graham Fox
President and CEO