Public Policy Forum

Through the Action Canada Fellowship, Geordie Hungerford ’10 discovered that everyday people can drive meaningful change where they live and influence public policy in Canada. The Fellowship helps emerging Indigenous leaders like Geordie, who is Gwich’in of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, turn their policy ideas into a reality. 🎥 Watch Geordie share how the program shaped his career. Make a difference in your own community with the Action Canada Fellowship. Apply by March 11 to join the 2025 cohort: https://lnkd.in/dTvgSNFu Have questions? Join our upcoming information session for Indigenous candidates, in partnership with Indspire, on Feb. 18, 12 to 1 p.m. ET: https://lnkd.in/eZBhfZsQ #Leadership #Fellowship #Community #Networking #Careers

Key takeaways from PPF's Canada-U.S. newsletter this week: 👉 Here's the latest on Donald Trump's multi-pronged trade war plan for Canada. And, former deputy commissioner of the RCMP Kevin Brosseau was named as Canada's 'fentanyl czar' this week. Plus, dreams of a new, northern trade route. Read these stories and more in PPF's weekly Canada-U.S. newsletter. Sign up via email to get The Canada-U.S. newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday morning: https://lnkd.in/ezpErCyq

Local news in Canada has been disappearing at an alarming rate, leaving a huge void in communities and undermining a key pillar of democracy. This week on PPF's podcast WONK, guest host Alison Uncles talks to Lisa Sygutek, the publisher of the Crowsnest Pass Herald, Stacey Brzostowski, editor and publisher of Haida Gwaii News, and Andrew Phillips, former editor-in-chief of the Montreal Gazette and a columnist with the Toronto Star, about misinformation, community ties and why they have a newfound sense of optimism in their battle for survival against big tech. They also delve into the results of a new PPF report, written in partnership with the Michener Awards Foundation and the Rideau Hall Foundation / Fondation Rideau Hall, about the surprising impact of small radio stations, newspapers and news websites, and outlining some key steps to help put the local back in local news. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ejm299hG

Key takeaways from this week's Atlantic Momentum newsletter: 👉 The Atlantic provinces continue to pull together to present a united front against possible U.S. tariffs — including with a "buy local" campaign meant to educate consumers on where products come from. And, health systems in Atlantic Canada are getting more technological help in the battle to get wait lists and wait times under control. Plus, a potential pivot in ambitious green hydrogen plans. Read these stories and more in this week’s Atlantic Momentum newsletter. Join thousands of other subscribers who receive the newsletter in their inbox every Wednesday morning: https://lnkd.in/gPaVsyWe

🚨 Local News in Crisis: A Call to Action 🚨 A new report from the Public Policy Forum, in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation / Fondation Rideau Hall (RHF) and the Michener Awards Foundation (MAF), is sounding the alarm on the state of local news in Canada. The Lost Estate: How to put the local back in local news reveals a dramatic decline in local news outlets — 252 fewer since 2008, including 24 closures in the last two years. This crisis has far-reaching effects, from diminishing community ties to a drop in trust and negative impacts on local businesses. 📊 Key findings from an exclusive Ipsos poll conducted for the report include that: • 87 percent of Canadians believe local news is critical for a well-functioning democracy;  • Local newspapers and radio stations are trusted more than national or international outlets; and  • The decline in local news contributes to a lack of knowledge about local government, schools, hospitals and more. Despite these challenges, the report offers a hopeful outlook with examples of innovative, resilient models of local journalism — including employee-owned media, non-profits and startups. Written by journalists Andrew Phillips, Edward Greenspon and Alison Uncles, the report recommends critical changes needed to revitalize local news, including: • Establishing a new non-profit organization to fund local news reporters;  • Driving local ad dollars through tax incentives for businesses that support locally owned media;  • Directing government ad dollars to local publishers; and  • Mandating a sales notice period to give communities an opportunity to rally support for news outlets that are threatened with closure.    "We can neither address, nor learn to value, what we cannot see, including the issues and problems only journalism can bring into the light,” the report says. “At stake is nothing short of the social and political health of communities across the country.”     Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gbArJUns And a personal essay on the pivotal importance of local news: https://lnkd.in/entvBUms #LocalNews #Journalism #Democracy #Community #PublicPolicy #Innovation

How exactly will a trade war impact Canada? Here are the key forecasts from top economists on both sides of the border. Ever since U.S. President Donald Trump signalled his intent to impose a broad-based 25-percent tariff on all goods flowing from Canada to the U.S., economists have been weighing the potential short- and long-term impacts on Canada’s #economy. The stakes could not be higher. There is widespread agreement that economies on both sides of the border would feel significant pain. In Canada’s case, forecasts range from around two- to four-percent declines in GDP. Investment would suffer and unemployment would rise. As one recent report noted, the #tariffs “could wipe out Canadian growth for up to three years.” Here are summaries of the major reports from top economists, modelling what could happen to Canada in the coming months and years:

Artificial intelligence is transforming public policy — but how can leaders ensure they are using it ethically and effectively?  Participants of the AI Policy Compass, like Francis Loughheed, came out of the program with a stronger grasp of the value and impact of #AI in public policy:   “The AI Policy Compass provides a unique approach to understanding the role of AI in government. By understanding how to manage AI, ethics, bias and output errors, we can exponentially leverage the data value and impact of our policy, programs and decisions. The [program] provides policy leaders with the AI acumen to understand, guide and evaluate AI processes and projects.”  Curious to learn more? Secure your spot today for one of our upcoming editions of the AI Policy Compass: https://lnkd.in/eM3jukhT Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute

Key takeaways from this week's Health Security newsletter: 👉 A look at the fallout from the U.S. President's unprecedented cuts to the country's foreign aid. And, the discovery of the D1.1 strain of H5N1 in dairy cattle in Nevada suggests the new strain is here to stay, an expert told NPR this week. Plus, a ‘sobering’ report on Canada’s doctor shortage.  Read these stories and more in PPF's weekly health security newsletter. Sign up via email and join thousands of other subscribers who receive the newsletter in their inbox every Tuesday morning: https://lnkd.in/e3_zzKhD

Did you know? During the AI Policy Compass, a learning program offered in partnership with Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, participants are invited to share a policy challenge relevant to their work at the intersection of artificial intelligence. Over the course of two days, they engage in interactive discussions and expert-led sessions to better understand the risks, opportunities and applications of #AI in #policy and #governance. Following our sold-out session last fall, the next edition is coming up in March — secure your spot today! https://lnkd.in/eM3jukhT   --- Le saviez-vous?  Lors de la Boussole des politiques en IA, un programme d’apprentissage offert en partenariat avec Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, les participants sont invités à partager un défi de politiques lié à leur travail et en relation avec l’intelligence artificielle. Durant les deux jours de formation, ils participent à des discussions interactives et des sessions menées par des experts afin de mieux comprendre les risques, opportunités et applications de l’IA dans le monde des politiques et de la gouvernance.  Suite à notre dernière session à guichet fermé l’automne passé, la prochaine édition approche au mois de mars — réservez votre place dès aujourd’hui! https://lnkd.in/gc5hPM_4

The Action Canada Fellowship equips emerging leaders with the skills they need to build bridges across different sectors. Jamie Ross ’03, who is now a Partner at Deloitte, gained this ability during his Fellowship year, laying the foundation for his career success. Are you ready to take the next step in your own professional path? Apply for the 2025 Action Canada Fellowship by March 11: https://lnkd.in/dTvgSNFu To learn more about the program and how to apply, join one of our upcoming information sessions: 📅 Feb. 11, 12 to 1 p.m. ET (English): https://lnkd.in/eZXzDZfr 📅 Feb. 12, 12 to 1 p.m. ET (French): https://lnkd.in/eY6wX2Vg 📅 Feb. 18, 12 to 1 p.m. ET (For Indigenous candidates, in partnership with Indspire): https://lnkd.in/eZBhfZsQ