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Public Policy Research
The Socio-economic Impact of Sports Participation in Canada (2005)
Grant Insights played the role of project manager for this Conference Board of Canada study on sports participation in Canada. Grant Insights worked closely with both the Conference Board of Canada and with R.A. Malatest and Associates to design and implement a national household survey on Canadians sports participation. The study was sponsored by Sport Canada and considers the economic, social and health implications of sports.
Evaluation of the Test of Workplace Essential Skills in Ontario (2005)
Grant Insights will evaluate a project to encourage the adoption of the Test of Workplace Essential Skills in Ontario. This evaluation is being conducted for the the Colleges of Ontario Network for Education and Training (CON*NECT). It will evaluate the extent to which colleges, employers and employees see TOWES as a useful tool.
A National Credit Review Service (2004-06)
Grant Insights is playing a role as a project manager for this Conference Board of Canada project on enhancing Canada's system for learning recognition. The project develops for pilot projects to look at different approaches to learning recognition. The pilots will serve as the basis for a subsequent research evaluation.
Lifelong Learning Requires Policy Reforms (2003)
This article originally appeared on the Frontier Centre's (a Winnipeg-based think-tank) website and was subsequently adapted for a newsletter release by the Organization for Quality Education (Waterloo). A longer article based on this concept has been submitted to the Frontier Center and was presented at the CD Howe session that was held in conjunction with the Canadian Economic Association meetings in June 2002.
Brain Gain: The Economic Benefits of Recognizing Learning within Canada (2001)
This study was co-authored with Dr. Michael Bloom and was published by the Conference Board of Canada. In collaboration with others, Grant Insights managed a large scale national survey that looked at the state of unrecognized learning in Canada. Grant Insights then developed a methodology for estimating the economic costs to Canada from unrecognized learning.
CareersNet: A System for Recognizing the Employability Skills of Canada's Youth (2000)
This report addresses the problem that Canada faces with job matching for youth. While the education system has made great strides in introducing students to employability skills, there is little way for employers to distinguish between applicants on this basis. This study proposes that a self-assessment system be developed to measure these skills and communicate them to employers.
The Prospect for Learning Accounts in Canada (1999)
Lifelong learning is the new paradigm driving education policy. This report suggests changes to Canada’s funding system for lifelong learning that would help make lifelong learning a reality for more Canadians. (PDF file requiring Adobe Reader).
Canada’s Social Payment Disbursement System (1998)
Moving to a Mandatory Direct Deposit Scheme: The Case of Alberta (1998)
These studies were conducted for the federal Task Force on the Future of the Canadian Financial Services Sector. The studies consider at current policies and practices in Canada with respect to using direct deposit to disburse social payments. The latter study looks at the practical issues in the case of Alberta, a jurisdiction that has moved aggressively toward developing a mandatory direct deposit regime. The link leads to the Task Force site. You will need an Adobe Reader to view the report.
The Entry-Level Cost of Youth Labour (1998)
This study was conducted for Industry Canada. The study considered the role that entry-level costs such as minimum wages and payroll taxes play in the youth unemployment problem. It develops the case for a national wage and training subsidy to be targeted toward secondary school graduates.
Alleviating Youth Unemployment Internationally: Exploring Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Approaches (1998)
These studies considered the causes of youth unemployment, first in a Canadian context and secondly in a developing country context. The studies propose a framework for understanding the youth unemployment challenge and the potential contribution that enterprise skills and entrepreneurism can make to alleviate youth unemployment
Canada-EU Trade and Investment Policy Options, with the Conference Board of Canada (1998)
Grant Insights contributed a key strategic chapter to this overview of the Canada-European Union trade and investment relationship. The contributed chapter developed a decision framework for selecting and attacking specific trade and investment irritants between Canada and Europe.
Banking on People: Could Citizen Accounts Improve Canada’s Prosperity? (1997) (Co-authored with Doug Hull)
There is increasing interest in the relationship between savings, asset accumulation and social policy. This study argues that a system of citizen accounts (or Individual Development Accounts) would be the best way to raise national savings and improve the accountability of public social insurance programs.
Profiting From China’s Rapid Economic Growth: A Canadian Perspective of Guangdong Province (1995) (Co-authored with Julie Mac Lure)
This project considered Canadian business opportunities in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets. It provided a business overview of the region, analyzed current Canadian business involvement in Guangdong province and identified areas for future growth. The study also looked at the key business practices of successful firms.
NAFTA Extension to Latin America: The Business Case (1994)
Written at a time of great interest in expanding Canada’s free trade beyond NAFTA, this study examined the case for extending the North American Free Trade Agreement to Latin America. It considered, on a country-by-country basis, the economic prospects for the region and the likelihood of extending NAFTA to the region. It foretold the eventual free trade agreement between Canada and Chile.
Canada’s Trade Policy Options in the Asia Pacific (1994) (Co-authored with Todd Evans)
This study considered the options for Canada’s trade policy with the Asia Pacific in light of developments within the region and through institutions like the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. It argued the case based on Canadian business demands for lower tariff and non-tariff barriers and greater transparency.
The Tax Competitiveness of the Canadian Tourism Industry (1993)
International Tax Competitiveness of the Canadian Airline Industry (1991)
International Tax Competitiveness of the Canadian Railway Industry (1990)
These studies were designed to point out weaknesses in the Canadian corporate tax system when compared to the United States. They were based on simulations of an after-tax cash flow model. The methodology involved modeling the cash flow of a “typical” firm in each industry and then simulating the impact of various tax systems on the firm’s cash flow.
Canada’s Business Links with the Maquiladora Industry (1991)
In many ways, the Maquiladora industry was a precursor to Mexico’s eventual integration into the North American market through NAFTA. This study examined the specific case of Canada’s business presence in the Maquiladora and evaluated the prospects for enhancing this presence over time.
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