Faculty

Neil Bouwer and Gabriel Blanc on Rethinking Cabinet Process Under Prime Minister Carney

admin — Mon, 26 May 2025 21:52:16 +0000

May 22, 2025 | In an op-ed for Policy Magazine, MPP ’25 Gabriel Blanc and Visiting Professor Neil Bouwer highlight why the way decisions are made in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet matters just as much as who is making them. They explain how Carney has brought back a more traditional cabinet structure, with focused committees aimed at setting priorities and managing operations. While they welcome some changes—like new committees on national security and government efficiency—they raise concerns about the removal of others, such as the committee for Canada-U.S. relations.

Vincent Rigby on Strategic Autonomy Amidst G7 Uncertainty | The Globe and Mail

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:44:41 +0000

June 14, 2025 | Vincent Rigby, quoted in The Globe and Mail, sees Carney’s foreign policy as a clear break from traditional diplomacy rooted in values. He argues that Canada is embracing a more pragmatic, hard-headed approach in response to global volatility. While diversification of defence partnerships—such as working with European suppliers—is on the table, Rigby stresses that close coordination with the U.S. remains essential.

Chris Ragan on Rethinking Canada's Industrial Strategy | The Suburban

admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:44:55 +0000

July 24, 2025 | Chris Ragan is quoted in The Suburban emphasizing the long-term economic benefits of cutting corporate taxes over relying on large-scale business subsidies. Nearly 25 years ago, Ragan argued that reducing taxes which inhibit investment—particularly corporate income taxes—would spur productivity, attract capital, and raise living standards. His perspective is resurfacing in current policy debates as concerns grow over the effectiveness of multibillion-dollar subsidies offered to major corporations, such as those in the electric vehicle sector.

Pearl Eliadis on the Risks of Quebec’s Secularism Report | CBC

admin — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:57:07 +0000

August 28, 2025 | In a story reported by CBC, a Quebec government committee has issued 50 recommendations, including extending the religious symbols ban to subsidized daycares and requiring people to uncover their faces for public services. These proposals have drawn criticism from community leaders, who argue they discriminate against religious minorities, particularly Muslim women.

Pearl Eliadis on Taking Bill 96 and Bill 21 to the United Nations Human Rights Committee | Montreal Gazette

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:36:58 +0000

June 12, 2025 | Reporting on a public forum organized by the Task Force on Linguistic Policy, the Montreal Gazette highlights Pearl Eliadis’s warning that if the Supreme Court of Canada does not intervene to limit Quebec’s use of the notwithstanding clause in laws like Bill 96 and Bill 21, the anglophone community should consider taking their case to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

Marc Fortin on Rethinking University Research to Drive Canadian Innovation | Canada's National Observer

admin — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:04:44 +0000

July 11, 2025 | In an opinion piece published in Canada’s National Observer, Marc Fortin, alongside Richard Gold, Evan Henry, and Martin Bader, argue that Canada should seize the moment created by U.S. research setbacks to build a stronger, more collaborative innovation ecosystem. With American universities facing cuts and instability, the authors call on Canada to rethink how they support research, moving away from patent sales toward long-term industry partnerships, open data, and simplified licensing.

Jennifer Welsh on Advancing Localization in Global Politics | Global Studies Quarterly

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:18:15 +0000

January 2025 | Jennifer Welsh, alongside co-authors Adam Kochanski and Emily K. M. Scott, wrote "Localization in World Politics: Bridging Theory and Practice" in Global Studies Quarterly. The article introduces a special forum on the concept of localization, exploring its significance in both international relations theory and real-world policy. It addresses why localization has gained attention, its historical roots, what and who is considered “local,” and how localization can be studied.

Jennifer Welsh on what’s at stake as the UN General Assembly convenes | The Sunday Magazine

admin — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:25:58 +0000

September 21, 2025 | On The Sunday Magazine with Piya Chattopadhyay, Jennifer Welsh joined to talk about the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level meeting, which begins Monday. With Israel’s bombardment of Gaza expected to dominate members’ concerns, she outlined the mechanics of the gathering, the UN’s role in the current political climate, and Canada’s place on the international stage.

Pearl Eliadis on Understanding and Using the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms | Democracy, Explained

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:55:54 +0000

November 12, 2025 | Pearl Eliadis was featured on Apathy is Boring’s new podcast Democracy, Explained in an episode titled “Know Your Rights.” The discussion focuses on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, what it means in everyday life, and why it matters for young people who want to understand and exercise their rights. The Democracy, Explained series aims to make democratic institutions and principles more accessible, helping listeners better understand how they can participate in and shape democracy in Canada.

Vincent Rigby on the Risks and Realities of Canada’s New EU Defence Pact | The Globe and Mail

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:40:00 +0000

July 9, 2025 | Vincent Rigby, along with retired vice-admiral Mark Norman, former deputy trade minister Tim Sargent, former defence minister Perrin Beatty, and professor Fen Hampson, wrote a report highlighted in The Globe and Mail that raises concerns about Canada’s new Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union. The pact, signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, aims to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. military contractors and boost the Canadian defence industry by tapping into the EU’s growing defence market.

91�� roundtable on Arctic sovereignty and security focuses on co-operation, Indigenous partnerships | 91�� Reporter

admin — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:40:24 +0000

October 16, 2025 | Vincent Rigby spoke at a 91�� roundtable on Arctic sovereignty and security that examined Canada’s northern strategy amid rising geopolitical tensions. He emphasized that national defence cannot be addressed through military means alone, calling for a broader approach grounded in partnership and community well-being. “You can’t have national security without human security,” he said, pointing to the need for sustainable development and trust with Indigenous communities.

Jennifer Welsh on Keeping Internally Displaced People on the Humanitarian Agenda | The Conversation

admin — Mon, 26 May 2025 22:05:06 +0000

May 20, 2025 | In a co-authored article for The Conversation, with 91�� professor Megan Bradley, Max Bell School Director Jennifer Welsh outlines the growing risk that internally displaced people (IDPs) will be overlooked as global humanitarian aid budgets shrink. Despite outnumbering refugees, IDPs often receive less attention and support—an imbalance Welsh argues must urgently be addressed. Although IDPs outnumber refugees nearly two to one, they often receive less attention and support, especially as the UN system reels from severe funding cuts.

Vincent Rigby on Trump's Tariffs Wars | Washington Examiner

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:12:44 +0000

June 17, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby, a former Global Affairs Canada and Department of National Defence government official, contended at how Canada must not step away from the U.S. completely regarding trade, economics, defense, and security, despite “diversification strategies” because of Trump. “I mean, we share a continent...we are indivisible in that respect, and so it makes sense for Canada to still work closely with the United States on defense and security issues,” said Rigby.

Anil Wasif on Flight Attendants’ Strike and the Fight for Collective Bargaining | Policy Magazine

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:53:27 +0000

September 1, 2025 | In a piece for Policy Magazine, Anil Wasif, MPP ’21, reflects on last month’s Air Canada strike, where 10,500 flight attendants defied a government back-to-work order in what he calls a defining moment for Canadian labour rights. Public sentiment was firmly behind the workers, with polls showing strong support for their demand to be paid for all hours worked, not just time in the air.

Michael Black on Canada’s Defence Spending Challenges and NATO’s Future Targets | Policy Magazine

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:05:04 +0000

June 11, 2025 | MPP ’25 Michael Black examines in Policy Magazine Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pledge to meet NATO’s 2% defence spending target by 2026 and the upcoming NATO Summit’s proposal to raise it to 5%. He highlights challenges like strained defence industries and production bottlenecks revealed by the Ukraine war, noting Canada’s difficulty replenishing artillery shells. While buying U.S. equipment offers a quick fix, reliance on the U.S. poses political and capacity risks.