Research to Support Advocacy

An Analysis of Credit Reporting in Canada (2004)

Grant Insights assisted the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) to design and implement a large household survey looking at the credit reporting experience of Canadians.  This research will be used to support PIAC's advocacy in this area.

Payday Lending in the United States: Findings from Focus Groups (2003)

This study built on Grant Insights study of payday lending in Canada by looking at the industry in the United States.  The study was based on four focus groups that were conducted for the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) in Washington, D.C.  Two focus groups were conducted in both Kansas City, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee.  The findings are being used by the CFA to develop it's advocacy and consumer education strategies.

Research in Support of the Underground Royal Commission Website (2003)

Grant Insight provided a variety of content and strategic advise to the R. Nigol Consulting who designed the Underground Royal Commission (URC) website.  The URC is the brainchild of Stornoway Productions and the Breakout Education Network.  The website focuses on the accountability  issues that emerged from a series of videos and books that were produced by Stornoway/Breakout.

An Estimate of Alberta's Net Outflow from its Participation in the Canada Pension Plan (2003)

This study undertook an analysis of Alberta's net outflow to the Canada Pension Plan.  The Alberta Chambers of Commerce used the analysis to advocate for a better managed Canada Pension Plan.

Alternative Financial Services in Canada: Findings from Focus Groups (2001)

This is the first of two studies produced by Grant Insights for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).  These focus groups were conducted with customers of the so-called Alternative Financial Services (AFS) sector from Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.  The research is exploring the conditions and motivations of customers of the AFS which includes cheque cashing outlets, payday lending and pawnshops.  The next phase of the research is a large scale household survey of users of the AFS.

Alternative Consumer Credit (2002)

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) was interested in understanding alternative consumer finance arrangements, such as payday loans.  Grant Insights conducted focus groups across Canada on this issue.  These focus groups served as a basis for a national household survey.  This was the first survey for Canada of alternative credit arrangements and the first time reliable estimates were produced on the size and distribution of this market.

Drug Expense Insurance in the Canadian Population (2000)

Grant Insights was asked by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. to write a report on drug expense insurance that would be attractive to key stakeholders in this area.  This report is based on technical research that the Association had commissioned in 1998 on Canada's drug expense insurance system.

Assessing the Case for an Asset-Based Approach Social Policy in Canada (1998)

This study was conducted for the Self-Employment Development Initiatives (SEDI) with the financial support of the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA).  SEDI is spearheading an approach to poverty alleviation based on creating incentives for households to build assets.  This report situated this asset-based approach within the context of Canada’s existing policies that encourage asset formation.  SEDI is a major advocate for people in poverty who are seeking to escape their circumstances through self-employment.

25 Good Business Approaches to Youth Employment (1997)

Grant Insights prepared this  study for the Canadian Youth Foundation and it was released at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) national youth unemployment conference in May 1997.  The study looked at specific cases where business support improved the employment prospects of young Canadians.

Ponzi Game Up?: Canadian Youth and the Canada Pension Plan Reforms (1996)

The debate on the future of the Canada Pension Plan was on the top of the public policy agenda in 1996 and this study helped shape the intergenerational aspects of that debate.  The study was published under the auspices of the Canadian Youth Foundation and argues in favour of moving the CPP to full funding.