The staff and board members of the Institute for Research on Public Policy were deeply saddened by the loss of esteemed economist, researcher and frequent IRPP contributor Jonathan Rhys Kesselman, who died in late February.
Kesselman wrote numerous scholarly publications and hundreds of opinion essays that appeared in national newspapers, and made frequent submissions to government committees on a range of issues including tax and welfare reform, income distribution, economic security and social policy.
“He dedicated much of his long and prolific career to analyzing and improving Canadian public policy,” said France St-Hilaire, former vice-president of research at the IRPP. “He did so by producing timely and cogent policy analyses for the IRPP and other Canadian think tanks. The common thread throughout has been his rigorous commitment to the principles of equity, efficiency and simplicity, and his genuine concern for issues of inequality and social justice in Canada,” she added.
His work contributed to key policy developments related to the Tax-Free Savings Account, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Pension Plan and the funding of Employment Insurance. Through his academic appointments, first as professor of economics at the University of British Columbia and then as Canada Research Chair in Public Finance at Simon Fraser University, he helped train generations of students.
Canada has lost “a compassionate contributor to public policy who worked tirelessly in the public interest,” said David Green, professor at the University of British Columbia. “He made insightful contributions to the academic literature on public finance in a range of areas from wage subsidies to capital gains to a basic income. But, more importantly, he was a true public intellectual.”
A focus on fairness and finding ways to reform taxation and transfers for the benefit of the least well off was a hallmark of his career. He may not have been a household name, but his work benefitted households across Canada, added Green, who worked closely with Kesselman as members of the British Columbia Expert Panel on Basic Income.
In 2023, the IRPP published a book based on the panel’s work, Basic Income and a Just Society: Policy Choices for Canada’s Social Safety Net. In 2022, Kesselman made significant contributions to an IRPP workshop and a subsequent report, Financing Employment Insurance Reform: Finding the Right Balance, providing valuable insights on the history of reform, and the role of Employment Insurance in the economy and Canada’s social safety net. “He shared his expertise for the benefit of public policy and Canadians, which is something we should recognize and celebrate,” said IRPP vice-president of research Rachel Samson.
Montreal—The federal Liberal government and the NDP have set a March 1 deadline for passing legislation to implement a national pharmacare plan. A new publication from the Institute for Research on Public Policy provides decision-makers with a roadmap for how best to implement universal pharmacare in Canada.
In National Pharmacare: Laying the Groundwork, co-authors Michael Law and Fiona Clement call for a fiscally prudent staged approach, starting with a reinsurance plan run by the federal government that would cover high-cost medications for rare diseases. This would be gradually expanded until a full and comprehensive program of consistent, universal public drug coverage is in place.
The authors identify five features that a federal reinsurance plan should include that would make it comparatively inexpensive to introduce, and that would ensure that future spending by governments is adaptable and predictable:
These features would help improve access to medicines, increase equity in the system and improve how drugs are prescribed and used in Canada, the authors say. At the same time, it would overlap with existing systems of drug coverage and minimize disruption.
“This is the most practical approach that maintains universality as a core principle,” say Clement and Law. “Our proposal builds on existing momentum and will create a platform from which further progress could be made. In the current political context, we believe it is crucial to take a meaningful step toward national pharmacare and not lose this opportunity for progress.”
National Pharmacare: Laying the Groundwork can be downloaded from the IRPP’s website (irpp.org).
Media contact: Cléa Desjardins – 514-245-2139 – cdesjardins@nullirpp.org
Montreal— Experts from the Affordability Action Council (AAC) are available for comment following today’s announcement that the Greener Homes program is running out of budget and will be stopping grants soon, which includes a statement pointing to a future focus on low-to-moderate income Canadians.
In a recent report, the AAC emphasized how existing federal programs leave out individuals living in low-to-moderate income households, recommending that the federal government establish a new free retrofit program aimed at making about 100,000 homes per year more affordable, energy efficient and climate resilient.
For AAC member and founder of the Kambo Energy Group, Yasmin Abraham, today’s announcement carries some hope: “I applaud the indication that a low-income program may be on the horizon. It’s an important and commendable shift because while lower to moderate income households have the greatest need to improve the efficiency of their home to reduce their bills, many have been unable to access the Greener Homes program due to the upfront capital needed or increased household debt of participation in the financing program.”
The Affordability Action Council strongly recommends that any low-income program offered by the Federal government tie in to the impactful and community-based programming already occurring across the country. Abraham adds that, “with many organizations already doing this work, we encourage the Federal government to lean on the experts in each province to help design the delivery mechanisms for a low income retrofit program that are most appropriate for their own communities. We welcome this announcement and look forward to engaging with the government further on this.”
“The next federal budget can make bills affordable for those in energy poverty and reduce the emissions disrupting our climate by making a significant investment in low-income energy retrofits,” says AAC member and Efficiency Canada’s Director of Policy Research, Brendan Haley.
To book an interview with Brendan Haley or Yasmin Abraham, contact the IRPP’s Director of Communications, Cléa Desjardins: 514-245-2139 or cdesjardins@nullirpp.org.
Montreal — Many Canadians lack affordable transportation options, which can restrict their access to work opportunities, health care and education, and can result in social exclusion. In Canada’s eight largest cities, nearly one million residents are at risk of being unable to access or afford transportation. And the more than four million individuals who live in the country’s rural, remote, Indigenous and northern communities have few transportation options other than driving a personal vehicle.
In two new policy briefs, the Affordability Action Council (AAC) calls on the federal government to put in place transportation policies that better serve lower-income households, develop a new vision of passenger travel in Canada and make better use of federal funding to close gaps in service.
These recommendations consider the differing needs of urban and rural communities and propose policy solutions that address their unique needs. Urban solutions aim to optimize existing infrastructure, services and incentives to prioritize low-income households. And rural solutions must leverage a collaborative, national vision for passenger travel, while supporting local-led solutions to address unique community needs.
“Making public transit more reliable, affordable and accessible will mean Canadians won’t be forced to drive where they need to go. And helping low- and middle-income families afford clean transportation options will save them money and reduce emissions,” says Nate Wallace, AAC member and program manager of clean transportation at Environmental Defence.
The AAC recommends that the federal government revise its electric-vehicle incentive program to include lower-cost vehicles, such as e-bikes and used electric cars, and target it to lower- and middle-income households. The Council also recommends that the federal government contribute to sustainable operating funding for urban and rural transit systems.
To better meet the needs of rural and remote regions, the AAC recommends that the federal government work with provinces, territories and Indigenous governments to develop and implement a renewed national vision of passenger transportation for the country and that it leverage existing infrastructure funding and Via Rail to help close gaps in inter-regional bus and rail service.
“Transportation is one of the largest expenses for households along with housing and food. It also represents the second-largest source of greenhouse-gas emissions in Canada,” Wallace adds. “To provide affordable, clean-energy transportation options to lower-income Canadians, the federal government would do well to adopt the recommendations of the Affordability Action Council,” says Wallace.
About the Affordability Action Council
The AAC is a dedicated, pan-Canadian group that brings together diverse policy experts and community leaders to come up with new approaches to policymaking that considers all basic needs, including housing, food, transportation and a livable climate. It is an initiative of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, Destination Zero, the Trottier Family Foundation and the McConnell Foundation.
Montreal – The Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Roscoe as the new chair of its board, marking a new chapter in the
organization’s 51-year history. A seasoned public-affairs professional with an extensive background in public policy and a longstanding commitment to community service, Elizabeth brings over 30 years of expertise in navigating government policy development to her new role.
Currently the executive vice president at Rubicon Strategy, Elizabeth has been an integral part of the IRPP board since 2017, actively contributing as a member of the investment committee. Elizabeth’s engagement in public affairs spans various sectors including politics and the private sector. She is a consultant for organizations in regulated industries such as telecommunications, financial services and natural resources. She also serves as the chair of the University of the Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation and has previously chaired the CHEO Foundation.
Her wealth of governance experience and deep understanding of the Canadian public policy and political landscapes uniquely position Elizabeth to lead the IRPP board effectively. As the newly appointed chair, she is poised to guide the organization toward continued success in bringing together the worlds of research and public policy to improve the lives of Canadians.
“Elizabeth has been involved throughout her career in some of Canada’s most important political and public policy conversations and has also been a successful leader in business and in nonprofit governance,” said Jennifer Ditchburn, IRPP president and CEO.
“Her formidable expertise and demonstrated dedication to the Institute’s success make her an ideal choice for chair.”
The IRPP also extends heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Anne McLellan, outgoing chair of the board, for her invaluable contributions to the IRPP over the past 15 years, including the last six as chair.
“We express our sincere thanks to Anne for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the IRPP. Her legacy and impact on the organization will undoubtedly endure,” added Ditchburn.
As the IRPP transitions into this new chapter with Elizabeth Roscoe at the helm, the organization remains committed to advancing its mission of improving public policy in Canada.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Cléa Desjardins
Director of Communications, IRPP
cdesjardins@nullirpp.org | 514-245-2139
About the IRPP
The Institute for Research on Public Policy seeks to improve public policy in Canada by generating research, providing insight, and influencing debate on current and emerging policy issues facing Canadians and their governments. It is an independent, national, bilingual, not-for-profit organization.
Montreal – Almost seven million people in Canada do not have stable access to sufficient food. Recent increases in food, rent, energy, and transportation prices have outpaced incomes, leaving little left over at the end of the month. To combat the growing rates of food insecurity, the Affordability Action Council is calling on the federal government to reform and rename the GST/HST credit to a Groceries and Essentials Benefit that would help more households buy adequate food and other essentials.
“Lower-income Canadians are feeling the pinch of higher food prices,” says Gillian Petit, Affordability Action Council member and a senior research associate at the University of Calgary. “Many people are not buying enough food so they can afford to pay the rent and their utility bills. Increased income support is needed to ensure that the food and essential needs of all Canadians are met,” she says.
In a new policy brief, the Affordability Action Council recommends that the federal government restructure and expand the existing GST/HST credit and rename it the Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Paid in monthly installments to provide recipients more stability to pay recurring bills, the benefit would target households with working-age adults and provide benefit amounts based on the income and number of people in a household. The expansion would increase the base amount to $150 a month per adult and $50 a month per child. All households that currently receive the GST/HST rebate would get more money, but the lowest-income households would see a larger increase.
“Many people with low and moderate incomes struggle to navigate Canada’s tax and benefit system. This new income benefit, combined with efforts to make sure that those who are most vulnerable can access it through tax filing support, would fill a critical hole in our social safety net,” adds Lisa Rae, council member and director of system change at Prosper Canada.
The AAC cautions that, as with other benefits that are provided through the income tax system, people who do not file tax returns would not receive the proposed Groceries and Essentials Benefit. To ensure that the maximum number of individuals receive the support to which they are entitled, the AAC recommends that the federal government expedite its planned launch of the automated tax filing system for individuals with low and fixed incomes announced in Budget 2023.
The Affordability Action Council is making additional recommendations that address other basic needs such as transportation and housing. The council’s work will culminate in a comprehensive report to be released in early 2024.
About the Affordability Action Council
The AAC is a dedicated, pan-Canadian group that brings together diverse policy experts and community leaders to come up with new approaches to policymaking that considers all basic needs, including housing, food, transportation and a livable climate. It is an initiative of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, Destination Zero, the Trottier Family Foundation and the McConnell Foundation.
Groceries and Essentials Benefit: Helping People with Low Incomes Afford Everyday Necessities can be downloaded from the IRPP’s website (irpp.org).
Media contact: Cléa Desjardins – 514-245-2139 – cdesjardins@nullirpp.org
Montreal – Food security and affordability are a concern across Canada, and around the world. New research from the IRPP outlines how the adoption of a digital strategy could help Canada’s agriculture sector reduce hunger, adapt to climate change, optimize land and water use, and promote sustainable economic growth across the country.
New technologies are emerging such as precision agriculture, variable-rate technology, digital-farm management and digital animal-health management, which hold the potential to benefit farmers and consumers. But several hurdles stand in the way.
In a paper published by the IRPP, University of Saskatchewan professor emeritus Peter Phillips calls on Canadian governments to adopt an ambitious high-risk, high-reward strategy that will overcome these barriers and optimize the use of these promising technologies. The strategy requires bold action and collaboration from governments, the private sector and academic institutions. Phillips recommends that policymakers:
“Governments should take advantage of the significant opportunities for economic growth for technology developers, telecommunication companies, farmers and other companies along the supply chain from farm to table,” says Phillips.
“Canada has the chance to succeed with a well thought out plan and the right mix of investment, planning, collaboration and governance. Canada can do well by doing good, increasing our economic returns from our world-class agri-food system, and contributing to global food security and climate change goals. There is no time to waste,” Phillips concludes.
This publication is the first in a three-part series, Imagining a Better Digital Future for Canada. The series was made possible with the support of TELUS.
Can Canada Help Feed the World While Reducing Emissions? Assessing Challenges and Barriers to Digital Opportunities in Agriculture can be downloaded from the IRPP’s website (irpp.org).
Media contact: Cléa Desjardins – 514-245-2139 – cdesjardins@nullirpp.org
Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Affordability and climate are compounding, overlapping crises — and people are struggling with both. Individuals across Canada are tired of making trade-offs because, when it comes to life’s necessities — housing, food, transportation and climate — there are none.
Today is the official launch of the Affordability Action Council (AAC) — an innovative collaboration of diverse policy and community leaders. The Council has broken down silos to table a package of “all-in” solutions to help meet Canadians’ basic needs in a more integrated way, articulating a fundamentally different approach to policy-making.
“We can no longer afford one-off or zero-sum solutions that ignore the full picture of people’s lives and challenges. Canadians need and deserve supports that make it possible to live safer and more affordable lives,” says Brendan Haley, policy director, Efficiency Canada and AAC member.
Today the AAC has published two new policy briefs that provide actionable solutions for making Canada’s homes more sustainable and more affordable — especially for people with lower incomes.
Amid skyrocketing rents and housing prices, people in Canada are struggling to find and maintain homes they can afford. The briefs recommend that the federal government pursue ambitious efforts to retrofit existing housing and accelerate the expansion of new affordable, low-carbon and resilient housing units.
To reduce energy costs and climate risks faced by low-income households in older homes, the AAC recommends that the federal government offer a free retrofit program — with heat pumps and other home upgrades — aimed at making about 100,000 homes a year more affordable, energy efficient and climate resilient.
“Reducing household dependency on energy and costs associated with growing climate risks —for everyone — is critical to addressing affordability and going all-in on relief,” says Haley “Federal programs exist but they require a major reset to address the needs of lower-income Canadians.”
At the same time, more new affordable and sustainable housing stock must be created to meet the needs of low-income individuals struggling to find homes.
“Canada can build and foster long-lasting, inclusive communities through an affordable housing strategy that goes all-in on relief and seizes near-term opportunities,” says Cherise Burda, executive director, City Building TMU and AAC member. “This means creating housing infrastructure that is affordable, accessible, energy efficient and resilient to a changing climate.”
The AAC is calling on the federal government to build one million rent-geared-to-income community homes by 2030. To align with climate-change goals and provide lasting affordability, these homes should be built near public transit and meet net-zero and climate-resilient codes and standards.
Sustainable housing is a major priority for the federal government. The recommendations by the Affordability Action Council provide critical solutions to making sustainable homes accessible for low-income Canadians, a crucial first step in solving Canada’s housing crisis.
The Affordability Action Council will table additional policy briefs over the coming months that will address other basic needs such as transportation and food. This will all culminate in a comprehensive report early in 2024.
Media contact
Cléa Desjardins — Director of Communications, IRPP
cdesjardins@nullirpp.org | 514-245-2139
About the Affordability Action Council
The AAC is a dedicated, pan-Canadian group that brings together diverse policy experts and community leaders to come up with new approaches to policy-making that considers all basic needs, including housing, food, transportation and a livable climate. It is an initiative of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, Destination Zero, the Trottier Family Foundation and the McConnell Foundation.
Montreal – Canada’s long-term care system is under intense pressure, and the situation is projected to worsen as we begin to experience the full force of population aging. The Canadian Medical Association projects that the cost of long-term care and home care will reach $58.5 billion yearly by 2031.
A new IRPP study by Carleton University professor Frances Woolley explores options to help alleviate that pressure. The study evaluates how long-term care is financed in Canada and compares it to several international approaches. Contrary to common perceptions, much of Canada’s long-term care is currently privately financed in the form of unpaid care provided by family members, privately purchased personal care and homemaking services, and privately funded assisted-living facilities. Government funded long-term care services are tightly rationed and the waiting lists for spaces are long.
Woolley puts forward three crucial recommendations to guide the reform of long-term care financing:
“As our aging population places increasing strain on an underfunded and deteriorating public system, it’s time to dismiss the notion of better care for less cost. Financing reform is a pivotal component of any effective long-term care strategy,” says Woolley.
Woolley’s analysis provides important insights that can inform federal, provincial and territorial discussions on the pending federal Safe Long-Term Care Act, aging at home benefits and future transfer payments.
“In Canada, long-term care is a particularly challenging policy problem because there are multiple provincial, territorial and even federal systems of care provision. But this challenge can also be an opportunity for policy innovation — for experimentation with a variety of modes of financing. With 10 provinces, three territories and a federal government involved, there is a good chance that one may get it right,” Woolley concludes.
Long-Term Care Financing: What’s Fair and Sustainable? can be downloaded from the IRPP’s website (irpp.org).
Media contact: Cléa Desjardins – 514-245-2139 – cdesjardins@nullirpp.org
Montreal – Looming costs challenges for provincially run programs like health care and education could have important consequences for the country, according to a new paper from the Institute for Research on Public Policy. The paper, published by the IRPP’s Centre for Excellence on the Canadian Federation highlights how the imbalance between orders of government when it comes to cost pressures, budget-reduction capabilities and revenue generation could reshape Canadian federalism and party politics at the provincial level.
“Many key social safety net programs are the responsibility of Canada’s provinces and territories,” explains the paper’s author, Université de Montréal professor Olivier Jacques.
“These programs are not only costlier, they are also more popular and more visible to the public. That means that reducing spending on these programs is unpopular, making it hard for provinces and territories – which have less power than the feds to generate their own revenues – to balance their budgets by cutting program-related spending.”
Jacques warns that the unequal impact of cost pressures, budget-reduction capabilities and limitations on revenue generation could create a significant fiscal gap between the federal government and the provinces and territories. This could reshape Canadian federalism in profound ways without any formal constitutional changes.
When the Liberal party is in power in Ottawa, these unequal constraints will contribute to centralization through the use the federal spending power in areas that fall under provincial jurisdictions. Conversely, Conservative governments may be more inclined to favour federal tax reductions, potentially impacting federal transfer and exacerbating inequalities between provinces and territories. At the provincial level, these fiscal constraints will also decrease the policy differences between left-leaning and right-leaning parties given how little room to manoeuvre governments will have.
“The ultimate consequence of these divergences could be wide-ranging,” says Jacques. “We need to have a national conversation on the future of Canadian federalism and its impact on the well-being of provinces and territories across the country – ideally before the next federal election.”
An Imbalanced Federation: The Unequal Distribution of Budget Constraints in Canada can be downloaded from the Centre’s website (centre.irpp.org).
Media contact: Cléa Desjardins – 514-245-2139 – cdesjardins@nullirpp.org
