PPF Insider: What a President Donald Trump means for Canada
Public Policy Forum
Good Policy. Better Canada | Bonnes politiques. Meilleur Canada
In this month’s guide to all things PPF: What Trump's victory means for Canada's economy, a big Atlantic report and PPF-inspired poetry.
The morning after the morning after
Like the rest of the world, we’ve been closely watching the U.S. election results, and we have plenty of thoughts, commentary and coverage from our roster of policy experts:??
This week on a special election episode of WONK, host Edward Greenspon talks to PPF Fellows Don Wright, Sean Speer and Janet Annesley about the results, and what Donald Trump’s return to power?means for Canada. Listen now.??
In our weekly Canada-U.S. newsletter, reporter Andrew Phillips gathers insights and analysis from our teams of commentators. If you’re not a subscriber, you can read today’s edition on our website.??
We’ve also gathered our best intel on what Donald Trump’s victory likely means for the Canadian economy.?There are serious challenges ahead. ?
Check out our roundup of insights from other think tanks across Canada and the Unites States in our ‘What the wonks are saying’ post, which summarizes what smart policy thinkers are saying about implications of the election results.??
Cross-border check-in: Just before the election, PPF’s Fall Lecture on Canada-U.S. relations offered up some lively (and still very timely) debate and analysis.?
Two former U.S. ambassadors to Canada, Gordon Giffin and Kelly Craft, discussed what America needs from Canada. The president of Ipsos U.S. Public Affairs, Clifford Young, outlined new polling results that help explain what was driving U.S. voters. And two of the authors of the Matter More report, Edward Greenspon and Janice Stein, outlined a new Canadian strategy for dealing with America.?
Shop talk: The first edition of our new PPF Explains podcast focuses on the question: What is green hydrogen? Our ‘hosts’ delve into its potential in Canada and what’s holding it back. But there’s a twist! This podcast is a bit of a tech experiment, produced entirely by AI, using source material provided by PPF.??
Nerd alert! Our flagship podcast (hosted by real-life person Edward Greenspon) featured a number of fascinating and news-making guests recently:?
Weekly dose: Get your weekly policy fix with PPF’s fleet of newsletters. In addition to our Canada-U.S. newsletter, we have:?
Momentous momentum: PPF’s Frank McKenna Awards celebrated a trio of Atlantic Canadians who have, over long, illustrious careers, made a big impact on the region. Here are their speeches:?
During the event, Newfoundland poet Maggie Burton wrote and presented a poem inspired by the honourees and the theme of Atlantic Momentum. To read the poem, scroll to the bottom of this email.??
2024 Atlantic Canada Momentum Index
PPF released its latest report tracking momentum in Atlantic Canada, Adjusting the Sails. This important measure of key economic and social indicators is a follow-up to last year’s groundbreaking and much-discussed report identifying strong momentum in the region.??
The 2024 Atlantic Canada Momentum Index report shows that momentum is still strong in Atlantic Canada, but it has slowed compared to last year and no longer outperforms the rest of the country.?It’s a largely good news story, but as the report notes, there is some hard work to be done.???
This year 15 of 25 indicators show momentum (60 percent). Last year, 16 of 20 indicators (80 percent) showed momentum. While population, employment and labour productivity remain strong, business investment is flagging and there is not enough housing and health care for the growing region.???
Sense of belonging, one of the region’s calling cards, also showed no momentum. It dropped sharply in 2022, down 8.7 percent. But it is still higher than in the rest of the country.??
The report concludes that providing health, housing and critical services for a growing population are key. If the region can’t offer good health and housing, newcomers won’t stay. Read the full report here.???
PPF Academy
AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of Artificial Intelligence?
Offered in November 2024 and March 2025?
The AI Policy Compass is a two-day program which aims to equip policy professionals with critical skills and knowledge to navigate AI policy challenges. Explore the opportunities, risks and applications of AI using real-world policy scenarios while connecting with top experts and fellow policy leaders. Register now for one of our upcoming sessions in Ottawa or Montreal!?
AI Advantage: Boosting Productivity in the Public Service?
Offered starting in January 2025?
AI Advantage is a virtual workshop designed to provide public servants with the tools to effectively integrate AI into their daily workflows. Participants will reflect on their work processes, map their workflows to AI capabilities, and explore how AI tools can be leveraged to enhance productivity and balance. Register here for AI Advantage, launching in January 2025.?
Policy Leadership Program?
Offered in January-February 2025?
Tailored for public service executives and aspiring executives, the Policy Leadership Program is designed to equip leaders with the tools to succeed in an evolving and increasingly complex policy landscape. Guided by program director Rachel Wernick, participants will explore innovative approaches to policy design while enhancing their leadership skills in communication, collaboration and co-operation. Sign up today.?
Action Canada, on the ground
In September,?Action Canada’s 2024-25 Fellows?embarked?on a study tour, exploring the unique cultural and environmental landscapes of Prince Rupert and Kitimat, B.C. In her recent?vlog?Linda Tchombé, '24 shares personal insights on the realities of Indigenous communities, the complexities of natural resource development?and the significance of projects like?Cedar LNG.?Aaron Pinto '24, provides a deeper dive into the challenges and opportunities facing residents in his?blog post.?
Policy 101 series
PPF Academy had the privilege of attending the Resource Fair at the ?Teachers Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy?on Nov.?5, an annual event hosted by the Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons. This unique professional development opportunity brings together educators from across Canada. Our discussions highlighted the bilingual?Policy 101 series?— video modules crafted specifically for high school students and their teachers, featuring Action Canada Fellows’ experiences with public policy and their diverse perspectives. New videos will be launched next week to complete the series with real-life case studies. Stay tuned!
PPF Board
Ilse Treurnicht handed over PPF board stewardship after five incredible years guiding the organization as board chair. Drawing from her extensive expertise across industry, science, technology and public policy, as well as her strategic brain, Ilse helped position PPF as the think tank about tomorrow. She was a source of quiet leadership, wise counsel and unwavering support as PPF deepened its impact in such areas as Canada-U.S. relations, health security and the energy transition. ? ?
André Beaulieu steps in as the new chair of the board. André was appointed to PPF’s board as a director in 2016 and has helped guide PPF with talent and passion. As Senior Vice-President, Corporate Services at BCE, André is responsible for one of the largest procurement portfolios in Canada, a large estate footprint, as well as corporate security and responsibility. He has also held senior positions at Wholesale — a business unit serving hundreds of customers in 180 countries — and BCE Nexxia, the entity that owns and manages Bell’s network in the United States. ?
An active member of the community, André sits on the boards of Equitas, The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, Global Canada, the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM) and the Azrieli Foundation. He will also chair the jury of the Donner prize in 2025.?
We’re also excited to welcome new directors to the board:?
Karen Ogen is the CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a society of First Nations in support of responsible LNG development in Canada. She was elected chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation between 2010 and 2016.?
Maxime Dea is Vice President, Business Relations with investment group Caisse de dép?t et placement du Québec (CDPQ). He has been a chief of staff to several cabinet ministers and a former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.?
Michelle E. DiEmanuele is Secretary of the Cabinet in Ontario. She has also served as Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Chair of the Public Service Commission of Ontario and Deputy Minister of Government and Consumer Services.??
Murad Al-Katib is President and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. He co-founded AGT Foods in 2001, building a Canadian start-up into a global, billion-dollar plant-based protein company.?
PPF Team
This month, we announced the appointment of Riaz J. Kara as PPF’s new Vice-President, Policy.?
Riaz’s successful career in federal and provincial government has spanned areas of strategic policy, regulatory management, business transformation, organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, issues management, data analytics and change leadership. He is currently Director General, Housing Policy & Partnerships at Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada where he leads housing policy integration across the federal government, including linkages with immigration, health and industrial strategy.??
At PPF, Riaz will lead an ambitious team of policy experts and fellows working on topics that include artificial intelligence, health security, democracy, Canada-U.S. relations, economic growth, and the energy transition.
Riaz will start work at PPF on Dec. 2.?
PPF Members
Governor General’s Innovation Awards — Celebrating outstanding Canadian innovations?
PPF is a proud nominating partner of the Governor General’s Innovation Awards (GGIAs). The GGIAs are an annual celebration of innovations that exemplify excellence and help improve the quality of life in Canada and around the world. Each year, up to six award winners are identified through a two-stage, merit-based selection process. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General and the Rideau Hall Foundation oversee the execution of all aspects of the program. Click here to view last year’s recipients.?
If you are interested in submitting a nomination to the GGIAs through PPF, please contact Chelsea Berry, Membership Lead, for more details. Deadline is Nov. 29, 2024.?
A note from the Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication
Reimagining Political Journalism: Perils, Possibilities and What Comes Next — a timely conference taking place in Ottawa Nov. 15-17 — will bring together journalists working on the frontlines of political coverage, academics, students and members of the public to wrestle with the question of what democracy now requires of political journalism. As well, participants will discuss how best to prepare students for careers as political journalists in an increasingly fraught and less rational world where facts seem to have lost their currency. Register now, tickets are free!?
PPF in the News
CPAC covered PPF’s Fall Lecture on Canada-U.S. relations. You can watch a recording of the event on CPAC’s website. Edward Greenspon and Janice Stein also appeared on CPAC’s Primetime Politics to discuss Matter More.??
The Steve Verheul WONK episode was featured on POLITICO Pro's Canada PM newsletter (for POLITICO Pro subscribers). “The dealmaker who helped broker the USMCA says Canada is right to be worried about the U.S. elections.” It was also highlighted on POLITICO’s closely followed Ottawa Insider newsletter on the eve of the U.S. election.?
Prior to PPF’s Fall Lecture on Canada-relations, our media partner POLITICO offered up an interview with panelist Clifford Young?of Ipsos. “Americans are less free trade than we’d like to think so, and it’s a highly partisan issue today,” said Young.?
Cabin Radio picked up on some news from the R.J. Simpson WONK episode. Premier Simpson said during the podcast that northern communities have been approached by China with offers of infrastructure investments. “We’ve heard of the Chinese coming in and approaching those communities,” Simpson said, “the way they might do in places like Africa, where they come in with offers of infrastructure and sort-of get a foot in the door.”??
On PPF Fellow Ed Wittingham’s podcast Energy vs Climate, he speaks with University of Chicago professor David Keith about solar geoengineering: “Should we go there??
Greenspon joined CBC Nova Scotia to talk about the latest Atlantic Canada Momentum Index. “This is a 10-year project — if you’re really going to build a sustainable economy there’s a couple things that still have to be worked on. Immigration retention isn’t great and, particularly, investment,” he told the CBC's Tom Murphy.?
PPF Fellow Victoria Kuketz will be speaking at CIRA's Innovation Governance Summit on Nov. 27 on a panel called "How Democracy is Faring in the Deep Fake Era" along with Marlene Floyd from Microsoft, journalist Justin Ling and Suzie Dunn from Dalhousie. Tickets are free.?
PPF Arts
In the Barrels of the Earth ?
By Maggie Burton?
We were the kids with holes in our shoes ?
we once tucked a hand in the gap ?
between the classes. We found??
in the barrels of the earth ?
where Have-Nots drown ?
the whales stop singing??
music in liquid form ?
pulls you under ?
the spell of the circulating sea.??
In sinks of carbon ?
the chimneys of the ocean ?
are swept by those??
taken by storm ?
with each fraction of a degree. ?
But it’s in dark matter??
where denial blooms most like algae ?
and we know — everything ?
germinates better with heat. ? ?
Here, tension rumbles ?
in F150s, we take Caribbean cruises ?
while democracy falls around us??
with the scattering ashes ?
of our forests. I pound on desks ?
but you know better, asking —??
with whom must you speak ?
to see something change — ?
but what is it we should want??
If the answers were known?
the whales would sing them?
from the barrels of the earth?
All we know?
Is that we must keep asking.?