Blog
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Shape our platform, together
The summary conference report from Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge is hot off the presses and I’m glad to be able to share it with you today.
For three days in March, we came together. We listened, we challenged ourselves, and we brought to life a national discussion about Canada’s future.
We did it by ...
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The best is yet to come
That’s a wrap. The delegates are filing out, reporters are awaiting the post-game press conference, and although the conference portion of Canada at 150 is over, the dialogue it began will go on for some time. This weekend was supposed to be a national conversation, much bigger than the room here in Montréal. And, in the end, it was. More than 70 satellite events across Canada. 52,000 hits on this website. (Hello, world!) 6,200 participants in the live-chat. And more than 20,000 webcast...
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Live chat: Canada at 150 – Day 3
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Rising to the challenge on Day 2
A jam-packed day of policy discussions that engaged Canadians both in the room in Montreal and at 53 satellite events from coast-to-coast-to-coast started with a presentation from David Dodge, the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, that was both sobering and inspiring. Speaking to a full room (at 8:30 on a Saturday morning!), Mr. Dodge warned about how Canada would struggle with paying for a “caring society” by the end of this decade. He laid out the tough choices that face us on i...
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Live chat: Canada at 150 – Day 2
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Guest blog by Carloyn Acker: Closing the Achievement Gap – Part II
Every year, thousands of Canadian students make the life-altering decision to drop out of high school. Statistics show that in some of the country’s most vulnerable neighbourhoods, upwards of 60 percent of students do not graduate high school, taking a toll on our communities, health and justice system and economy. (more...)...
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Guest blog by Carolyn Acker: Closing the Achievement Gap (Part I)
Derek Bok, the former president of Harvard University once said “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”. And he is right. Making learning a national priority for our country will mean investing in solutions to a problem that has confounded policy makers, educators, and governments since the 1950’s. The problem that I am talking about is Canada’s biggest waste of human resources – the outrageous high-school drop out rates in Canada’s lowest income commun...
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Photoblog: Day 1
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Michael Ignatieff. Photo: Robert J. Galbraith
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Des idées pour le Canada de 2017
La première journée de la conférence vient de se terminer. Nous avons entendu des présentations sur une foule de sujets dont le rôle du Canada dans le monde, la vision sociale, l’aide au développement, l’économie de demain, la situation budgétaire du gouvernement, un agenda national sur l’apprentissage et l’innovation. En écoutant les panelistes tout au long de la journée, je me suis demandé pourquoi ce genre de discussions, franches et axées sur l’avenir, étaient si...
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Live chat: Canada at 150 – Day 1
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End of Day 1: Don’t mess with Lester
When I was growing up, Lester B. Pearson was one of my heroes. (I know, I know. And I was the last kid on the bench in gym class, too.) Pearson invented peacekeeping during the 1956 Suez Crisis, and is the central figure in the mythology of Canadian internationalism. He won the Nobel Prize. He was also the central figure at the Study Conference on National Problems—the “Kingston conference”—in 1960. Along with the 1991 Aylmer conference, Kingston is one of the historical antecedent...
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Michael Ignatieff’s Opening Remarks to Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge
Welcome. Thank you Dominique. Thank you Elder Two Rivers. Let me start by recognizing Dominique, Martha, Mauril, and Randy, who will be keeping us in line this weekend. Thank you. And thank you all for joining us in this wonderful opportunity to renew the political debate in our country. I want to recognize my predecessors who are here this weekend, Canadians who have served our country with devotion: John Turner, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, Bill Graham, and Stéphane Dion. This ...
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Conference countdown
The hotel is buzzing. Teams are setting up. Speakers and attendees are arriving en masse. And in just a little under twelve hours the conference will be underway. Tomorrow the day begins with presentations aimed at setting the stage for the rest of the weekend. We’re starting the day off with opening remarks from Michael Ignatieff and then it’s right into our first panel entitled “Setting the context: Today to 2017.” Check back at the Read More...
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Guest blog by James Orbinski: Who’s To Lead?
James Orbinski poses the central question of his essay in the context of a world that is seemingly “spiraling in crisis,” causing a rapidly unfolding state of continuous catastrophe in developing nations. In this framework, effective governance will mean working with and through other governments, intergovernmental organizations, private sectors and civil societies in order to understand crosscutting challenges and deal with them. Wise global leadership will mean the pursuit of the com...
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Your idea: Canada’s International Human Rights Policy
Canada's International Human Rights Policy By Leah Sarson Canada has an international reputation as a nation committed to upholding human rights principles. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) claims that, “Canada has been a consistently strong voice for the protection of human rights...” History has shown that the country has the ability to contribute to the positive management of global challenges, but we are failing to live up to...
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And the winners are…
Almost three months ago we asked Canadians to pitch us their bold ideas on how to solve the challenges currently facing our country. The Canada at 150 conference in Montreal is only part of the national discussion we need to have as Canada approaches its 150th birthday. The only way we’ll be able to meet the challenges facing the country is by reaching out and identifying the best ideas, no matter who or where they come from. By all measures you delivered. We’ve received more tha...
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Guest Blog by: David Eaves – Strengthen our economy and democracy through Open Government
Was last year’s stimulus package an investment in a future – or a drunken spending spree? Stimulus spending must create jobs, but it should also be an investment. It should foster new industries, improve efficiency and productivity; in short, it should create sustainable economic growth. During the Depression this was accomplished by funding the infrastruct...
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Your idea: Restoring Dignity to the Political Process
Restoring Dignity to the Political Process By Adam Chapnick Change – rarely in North American history has the word engendered such excitement. The sentiment has been most obvious in the United States, but it is everywhere. Environmentalists talk about changing global behaviours. International aid activists focus on changing the way we think about poverty in the developing world. Canadian intellectuals speak and write passionately about the changing nature of ...
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Your idea: Opening the doors to China
Opening the doors to China By Christopher Kutarna Recently, China bestowed ‘preferred destination status’ on Canada -- a move which permits Canadian tourism to advertise in mainland China. But the consequences for our relationship with China can go far beyond tourism -- if we take bold action. China’s move came as a surprise -- our bilateral relationship, as well as Canada’s image among ordinary Chinese, have soured since 2006 -- and signals their hope th...
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Guest blog by Roger Martin: What is Innovation – Really?
Innovation is not invention. Our innovation policy is actually an invention policy and that is why it is doing so little for the economy. The key is to move from a producer-driven perspective to a consumer-driven perspective – from invention to innovation. (more......
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Guest blog by Dr. Martha C. Piper: Imagine all the possibilities
I decided to become involved in Canada at 150 because I am a Canadian. To be given an opportunity to contribute to crafting the future of Canada is a privilege. While the challenges are great, the possibilities are greater—and it is those possibilities that excite and inspire me. Whether it is considering what our economy will look like or how we wi...
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Your idea: Re-Imagining the Place of First Nations
Re-Imagining the Place of First Nations By Michael Morden What better way for us to celebrate our 150th birthday then to shake off an important last vestige of our colonial past – the Indian Act? Eliminating the Indian Act is hardly controversial. It is widely regarded by nearly everyone on the political spectrum as a necessary step in our collective evolution. The challenge is in finding our way towards this goal. To this end, the government of Canada should ...
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Your idea: Open-access Fiber-optic Infrastructure
Open-access Fiber-optic Infrastructure By Ron Waller
A recent Harvard study harshly criticized Canadian broadband for being too slow and expensive. Although some may be inclined to believe that the American free-market system provides the best access, this is also not the case. One of the strongest criticisms leveled at Canad...
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Guest blog by Dominique Anglade: Reach for the moon Canada!
What do we want to be in seven years? What do we want to be in 20 years? Over time, Canada has made a good showing, to the point that it is now a great country, admired by many. Although we may not escape criticism in every area, we still rank at the forefront of the two hundred and some nations that make up humanity. But fo...
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Your idea: Canadian Department of Peace
Canadian Department of Peace By Rob Acheson I suggest that the Liberal Party reinvigorate Canada’s peace building role in the world by creating a Department of Peace. At first take the idea sounds a little out there but as you begin to look at what is being proposed, it is a compelling statement of the obvious. We have a dysfunctional security system that uses violence to fight violence and thus increases violence. We continue to use words like ‘protect’, ...
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Your idea: Canada Cares: a new paradigm for mental health policy
Canada Cares: a new paradigm for mental health policy By Randy Ai Mental health is an increasing area of concern for many Canadians. Reports have shown that one in four Canadians will suffer from mental illness sometime during his or her lifetime. Half a million Canadians suffer from depression. Many others experience unhealthy amounts of stress, isolation, and anxiety. Through lost productivity and absenteeism, some economists believe that mental illness costs the...
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Your idea : Maple syrup or Métis: Elucidating the true meaning of being Canadian
Maple syrup or Métis: Elucidating the true meaning of being Canadian Adam Vaughan “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” When Shakespeare wrote these words for Juliet, he was spot on; he knew what matters is what something is, not the label(s) which have been attached. Shakespeare knew this importance 400 years ago and yet, Canada still struggles with its “identity”. Canada is theoretically an interconnected group se...
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Guest blog by Dr. William E. Reichman: What worked for the heart could work for the brain
The potential human and monetary costs are indeed sobering: One million Canadians are expected to have some form of dementia within 30 years according to the recent Rising Tide report, commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. The annual cost of t...
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Your idea: National Student Nutrition Policy
National Student Nutrition Policy By Lori Nikkel Canada is facing serious health consequences due to the food available to the citizens of Canada. We do not currently have a comprehensive Food Strategy for our country. Our Health Care is being stretched beyond capacity dealing with obesity related illnesses in a society that could easily prevent this type of reactive spending if we could be proactive regarding the food being consumed by our citizens. Read More...
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Your idea: A National Green Loans Program
A National Green Loans Program Rodney Wilts Green buildings are recognized as a universally desirable objective. They reduce carbon emissions, lead to better health and productivity, and reduce demands on city services. McKinsey's Cost Abatement Curve for GHG reductions shows that green building retrofits are one of the few cost positive measures that could be taken today to reduce GHG emissions. Despite the attraction, deeply sustainable buildings still make up a t...
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Pitch your bold idea for Canada – and win
Canada is facing some big challenges between now and our 150th birthday, in 2017. Tell us your bold idea to confront these challenges and you could win a chance to present it to progressive Canadian thinkers and doers in Montreal this March 26-28. (more...)...
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Your idea: Doctor Shortage in Rural and Remote Canada
Doctor Shortage in Rural and Remote Canada By Steve Picard The doctor shortage in rural and remote Canada is a national crisis. In my rural area, 1 in 3 families have no doctor and expensive emergency rooms are used as primary care. There is no lack of demand. We need to accelerate the process of graduating new doctors by investing more medical school spots. We need to accelerate the process of qualifying foreign trained doctors by investing in qualifying program...
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Your idea: Meeting the Challenges of Food Security and Food Scarcity
Meeting the Challenges of Food Security and Food Scarcity by Donald Wright Wilfrid Laurier met Canada's agricultural needs by populating the prairies with "men in sheepskin coats." But that was then and this is now. Canada is confronting a massive challenge on the related issues of food security and food scarcity. Never before in human history have so many people relied on so few people to grow their food. Read More...
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Your idea: National Day for Canadian Research
National Day for Canadian Research by Dale Martin Creating a ‘National Day for Canadian Research’ will allow one day a year wherein Canadian researchers can highlight not only their successes, but also the hindrances associated with research in Canada. The ultimate goal is to increase the awareness of the major contributions of Canadian research to the international scientific community and Canadian citizens. A desired side effect is to help form a more cohesiv...
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Guest blog by Glen Pearson: International Development at 150
A national discussion is slowly emerging about what Canada should look like at 150 years of age – in 2017. A pivotal moment in our history, that date might well prove to the world what this country thinks of itself and its place in the global family. At a time when ...
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Your idea: A Confederation Train
The Confederation Train By Guy Paquette The intercontinental railway, originally an idea born from a promise made by the Fathers of Confederation in 1867, was one of the main triggers of Canada’s modern development. Not only was it symbolic (connecting the immense territory from sea to sea), the railway laid the foundation for the infrastructure that would make 19th-century Canada an industrialized country. Visitors of the Museum of Technology in Ott...
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Behind the brand: designing the Canada at 150 logo
When we set out to design the Canada at 150 logo, our goal was to communicate the conference’s non-partisan nature, openness, forward looking agenda and the broader consultative process which it represents. Read More... -
Online town hall: Issues facing Canada’s youth
This Wednesday, February 10, at 3pm EST, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff will moderate an online panel discussion on issues facing Canada’s youth. He will be joined by Liberal MP Justin Trudeau, Apathy is Boring co-founder and executive director Ilona Dougherty, as well as Equal Voice National Capital Region Chair Sherri Moore-Arbour. The panel will take questions from the public for one hour. (more...)...
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The race for green growth
The race for green growth By Scott Brison Last month, I participated in the World Economic Forum's 40th annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. This year's theme was to "rethink, redesign, and rebuild" the world economy. The 3Es -- energy, environment, and economy -- dominated discussions. From carbon pricing to smart grids, the consensus among global government and business leaders is that the discussion has shifted from environmental responsibility to the biggest ec...
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Your idea: Strengthening Canada’s Environmental Assessment Act
Last week Robert Bellizzi sent us his idea on how strengthening Canada’s Environmental Assessment Act will better protect the environment. We’ve posted his essay below. What do you think? With Canada’s rising emissions, is our legislation failing us? How can we follow through on a national environmental strategy if there is not a coordinated approach amongst our provinces and territories? And what should Canada do in other sectors — like energy, for example — to ensure we’re ...
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Garneau: Where is Canada’s plan for the digital age?
In yesterday's National Post, former astronaut and current Member of Parliament Marc Garneau reflected on Canada’s plan for a digital age. Calling for 100 percent connectivity for all Canadians (including Canada's rural and remote communities) and new investments in fibre and digital networks, he made the case for a new approach in Canada’s digital strategy. We’ve posted the full text below. Wh...
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Your idea: Has e-democracy’s time arrived?
Canadians from across the country have been sending in their ideas on how to confront the challenges ahead for Canada when we celebrate our 150th birthday. So far, we've received essays on education, democratic renewal and multilateral and international engagement, and more specific ideas for high speed rail infrastructure and more renewable energy use. In keeping with our promise to share some of the most interesting ideas — and to he...
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Canada at 150: Rising to the Challenge
It has been more than four decades since the thrill of Canada’s 100th Birthday. Canada celebrated with the world showcase of Expo ’67, marking an exciting time anchored in the idealism of the sixties, when Canadians believed they could build a better country for their children and grandchildren than they had enjoyed themselves. Canada’s optimism was well founded. We celebrated our Centennial at a time of consistent economic growth – in an era when Lester B. Pearson’s government ...
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Welcome
This website is part of a national conversation about our country’s future. We’re coming up on a rendezvous with destiny—in 2017, we’ll celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. What will we be celebrating that year? What kind of Canada do we want in 2017? And what do we have to do, today and tomorrow, to get there? (more...)...
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