Ontario 360, housed at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, supports research and analysis on a wide range of public policy issues related to Ontario’s competitiveness and prosperity. Its policy papers set out rigorous analysis and concrete recommendations to inform and shape the Ontario government’s policy agenda.
August 9, 2024
In the global race towards energy transition, two distinct strategies have emerged. The rapid transition approach—a call for an immediate and wholesale shift to clean energy. The other approach is an "all of the above" strategy which aims to reduce emissions from all sources while maintaining a diverse energy mix. This debate is particularly intense within Canada, where many environmental advocates and federal politicians push for a rapid transition.
July 10, 2024
Students who attend alternatives to public schools in Alberta have consistently outperformed their peers within the public school system. Although there is a lot of demand for non-traditional education, it is not straightforward to establish an independent school in the province. Even setting aside the government approval process, there are just basic barriers including costs, teacher supply, and so on.
July 2, 2024
The opioid crisis and broader issues with addiction and substance abuse have touched every province over the past several years. The problem has been acute in Alberta and British Columbia. The so-called “Alberta recovery model” has sought to prioritize addiction recovery over the harm reduction model that has prevailed in BC and elsewhere. Progress on reducing drug-related deaths has been rather mixed. Even proponents of the Alberta recovery model, warn that the full implementation of a recovery-oriented model will take ongoing public investment and time.
March 21, 2024
The provincial economy and finances have weakened over the past year. The 2024 Ontario Budget represents an important opportunity for the Ontario government to demonstrate strong leadership amid troubling times. In this Ontario 360 policy brief, the former Chief Economist of Ontario offers policy advice as the budget that the Minister of Finance will deliver on March 26th is on the horizon, with concrete advise on housing, social assistance, climate change and post-secondary education.
March 19, 2024
Productivity is a measure of how efficiently an economy can turn inputs like hours worked into outputs, commonly measured by GDP, and is the fundamental driver of income growth and living standards. The more an economy can produce for a given amount of input, the better the society will be materially. Unfortunately, Ontario has a longstanding productivity problem - experiencing a 2.2% decline in productivity in 2022. In this paper, policy analyst Taylor Jackson suggests paths forward to improve productivity.
January 17, 2024
Ontario’s Blue-Ribbon Panel on Postsecondary Financial Sustainability provided thoughtful, utilitarian advice to the government for shoring up university and college finances in the near-term. But with postsecondary education in the midst of profound and longer-term changes, did this moment actually call for a more fundamental, radical and future-focused reassessment of higher education in Ontario? The paper offers some alternative priorities, and provocative proposals, for policymakers and postsecondary leaders to consider.
December 13, 2023
More than one million Ontarians have a criminal record and within two years of release, more than one-third of inmates will return to a provincial institution having been convicted of another crime. Research has shown that employment is a key factor in helping someone involved in the criminal justice system desist from further crimes. However, people with criminal records face steep barriers in finding employment. This Catch-22 presents a serious public-policy challenge for governments to solve.
November 30, 2023
For 20 years, public-private partnerships have been the favoured model for delivering large scale infrastructure in Canada. To date, there are 291 active PPPs in the country, making Canada one of the leading users of PPPs globally. PPPs have always been contentious, fostering vigorous debate about the implications of greater private participation in public infrastructure compared to more traditional options. Advocates claim PPPs are an effective way of achieving value for money, while critics emphasize concerns about loss of control over key civic assets.
November 29, 2023
The passage of Alberta’s new fiscal framework still places too much attention on achieving short-term targets, which can be variable and even arbitrary. Continuing to place virtually all the emphasis on short-term fiscal outlooks does a disservice to elected officials who need better information from the Alberta public service to shift thinking towards considering the longer-term consequences of policy decisions.
November 1, 2023
Analyzing changes in housing stock in the GTA between 2016 and 2021 (the two most recent census years) the authors note that the vast majority of growth of housing stock is within a 3 km radius of Union Station, or on the urban fringe of the GTA. This “donut” pattern of growth has several policy implications.
October 26, 2023
Normally, the fall economic statement in the second year of a government’s mandate would be low-key. These are not normal times. Political, financial, and economic challenges have combined to raise the stakes. Furthermore, unemployment and consumer price inflation have risen recently, indicating times are becoming more challenging for many Ontario households.
August 8, 2023
This paper sets out the geopolitical and domestic context for Ontario’s recent Critical Minerals Strategy including the huge economic and environmental opportunities. It also outlines the key challenges to greater progress in critical minerals and sets out eight concrete recommendations to make the most of Ontario’s big critical minerals opportunity.
July 19, 2023
The Ontario government has earmarked as much as $184 billion for infrastructure investments over the next decade. Yet in fulfilling this vision the government will need to pay more attention to the basic building blocks of infrastructure. Without a competitive construction environment that incentivizes higher productivity, Ontario is unlikely to get its building plans done.
April 4, 2023
This briefing summarizes the key economic, financial, and strategic policy aspects of the 2023 Ontario Budget tabled on March 23.
March 20, 2023
The Ontario government releases its annual budget on Thursday amid economic uncertainty and policy challenges. Brian Lewis, a Munk School Senior Fellow and former Chief Economist for Ontario, outlines key themes that should be addressed.
August 17, 2022
Old ways of thinking about market competition and competition policy do not quite seem to fit these new and emerging economic developments. A collaboration between the federal government and Ontario could be enhanced to benefit the province while promoting effective competition nationwide.
August 17, 2022
During the pandemic, places of worship in Ontario faced stringent restrictions and outright closures. If or when another crisis hits, what is Ontario’s plan to keep places of worship open?
August 4, 2022
Ford and his Progressive Conservatives were initially elected to put right what many Ontarians believed had gone wrong after 15 years of Liberal Party rule. The issues of greatest importance to Ontarians today are not necessarily those on which the Ford government is seen to be most credible. Will they become the 21st Century Big Blue Machine or be remembered in history as the Ford Interregnum.
August 2, 2022
After more than one hundred years of trying to balance “less” alcohol with “more” tax revenue, in 2025 Ontario will have an opportunity to recalibrate the province’s beverage alcohol industry.
July 12, 2022
The supply chain disruptions precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to renewed calls for industrial reshoring across advanced economies, and the Ontario government is no exception. What policies could the Ontario government deploy to strengthen capacities? And should the government's goal be to reshore, or pursue more resilient supply chains?
June 29, 2022
Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) are here and ready to join our health workforce but can face lengthy pathways to acceptance and registration. Competency Assessments are a proven method that is efficient and effective.
June 23, 2022
Climate change will introduce high levels of uncertainty in agriculture and impact the production of food. Government action is needed to prepare for this inevitable threat. This policy paper presents ways to tackle this challenge and build resilience to climate change in agriculture.
June 21, 2022
Ontario has just become the first province to open its legal gambling market to private internet gaming providers. But as with all forms of gambling, this development has a dark side. Is the provincial government itself addicted to gambling money?
June 16, 2022
The life sciences sector is a $10 trillion global market that creates high value jobs and healthcare products. As Ontarians tentatively put the pandemic behind them, the timing is right for the next government to make this a priority.
June 14, 2022
In Ontario, innovations in cancer research are not easily adopted into cancer care. A gap exists in the transfer of knowledge among research, health policy and patient care. Without better alignment to bridge the gap, Ontarians are missing out.
May 4, 2022
Economic activity has been highly concentrated in a small number of major cities for the past decade and this has led to various calls for the enactment of policies that can extend economic activity and employment opportunities to broader parts of the province, including its rural and economically-disadvantaged communities.
May 3, 2022
Higher levels of innovative activity drive growth in productivity. In particular, productivity growth is linked with higher pay and increased living standards for Ontarians. Yet productivity growth in Ontario has fallen steeply over recent decades, amidst a wider productivity slowdown across most advanced economies. There are three approaches that Ontario’s next government should take to boost the province’s innovative performance with these challenges in mind.
April 28, 2022
The next Ontario government may need to come to grips quickly with the country, and much of the world, as a new era of energy and climate disruptions may create setbacks in economic growth and climate progress.
April 22, 2022
For Ontario to drive more economic growth and higher living standards in the province, it will need to cultivate advanced industries and adjust how it thinks about its innovation infrastructure and ecosystem.
April 19, 2022
The nature of work in Ontario is changing rapidly and to help build the resilience of individuals and businesses, as they prepare for the future of work, the next provincial government needs to strengthen the design and delivery of skills development in Ontario.
April 14, 2022
The automotive manufacturing industry is transforming into an electric vehicle ecosystem. While many opportunities exist to thrive and grow, there are issues that need to be acknowledged in order for this sector to continue to remain a vital part of the provincial economy.
April 12, 2022
After a COVID pause, Canada’s immigration levels are back on target at over 400,000 newcomers each year. What should Ontario be doing, in terms of settlement policies and programs, to ensure their successful arrival?
April 8, 2022
Homelessness is the other end of Ontario’s housing crisis. Chronic homelessness results in substantial societal costs and puts pressure on multiple provincially funded services, including the health, justice, and social service sectors Drs. Ecker and Hwang propose policy changes that will provide immediate benefits by dramatically reducing chronic homelessness in communities across Ontario.
April 6, 2022
COVID-19 has had a substantial, unequal, and sustained impact on the Ontario labour market. As the province rebuilds, it is important both for economic and equity reasons that those who suffered most during COVID-19 are brought back into the labour force and employment. The Province can leverage tools, such as immigration policy and re-skilling of displaced workers, to ensure a robust labour force for strong and sustainable growth.
March 31, 2022
This paper explores how the incoming provincial government should focus on provincial-municipal relations for effective intergovernmental cooperation.
March 29, 2022
Ontario lags behind the national average in uptake of electric vehicles, which has both economic and environmental impact. In this paper, Munk student Connor Fraser analyses the situation, and makes recommendations to boost production and deployment of EV’s.
March 24, 2022
This paper boldly explores how to make Ontario the best jurisdiction in North America to start or grow a manufacturing firm and what sorts of policy decision need to be made to support that goal.
March 22, 2022
Ontario’s system of supports for people with low incomes is ineffective and in need of significant improvement. Garima Talwar Kapoor provides recommendations for strengthening social assistance and broader supports for the low-income population in Ontario.
March 18, 2022
Ontario is facing a housing crisis – homes are too expensive and too scarce. Chris Spoke discusses the challenges and potential solutions.
March 16, 2022
In Part II of his paper, McGown discusses how the next Ontario government, regardless of political stripe, faces a significant crossroad regarding the economic growth and prosperity of the province.
March 15, 2022
Over the past decade, few issues of public policy have highlighted regional and partisan differences more than the question of climate change and emission controls. In this special two-part policy brief, David McGown traces the background of the debate, and discusses options for future policy decisions.
March 9, 2022
The effects of automation, the gig economy and job polarization are already being felt by the average Ontarian. To protect workers, now and in the future, Ontario needs to embrace these changes, while supporting workers during this time of unprecedented change.
March 4, 2022
This article explores how to attract, and retain, the necessary population in northern regions through commitment to public investment and digital infrastructure.
March 1, 2022
This report analyzes Ontario’s public finances from a historical and current perspective within the framework of the needs and issues that have emerged since the pandemic.
February 22, 2022
Darrell Bricker defines what this election's 'ballot issues' will be by region and how our parties could position themselves to win
February 15, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a massive backlog of surgical procedures and diagnostic tests in Ontario, which many observers are describing as the “crisis behind the crisis." Surge Capacity examines options for alleviating this backlog.
October 21, 2021
This report examines ideas raised by a virtual roundtable of energy experts, providing a deeper analysis of how the Ontario government and the Independent Electricity System Operator make use of energy forecasting in their decision-making; and what insights can be learned from other sectors, models and jurisdictions.
October 6, 2021
This paper examines an “regeneration toolkit” for an economic development strategy regarding mid-sized cities, and applies it’s lessons to four Ontario cities that have experienced the economic and social consequences of de-industrialization in recent decades.
June 7, 2021
This paper explores why manufacturing matters greatly for Ontario and outlines steps on how the province should engage supportive policies and partnerships to ensure Ontario remains Canada's manufacturing hub.
May 13, 2021
In this paper, Tianna Follwell and Sam Andrey show how streaming has harmful and disadvantageous consequences for both individual students and education systems more broadly.
May 3, 2021
This overview of an ON360 hosted roundtable discussion sheds light on Ontario's long-term energy planning process.
April 20, 2021
This paper, co-authored by University of Toronto professors Matti Siemiatycki and Drew Fagan, outlines the complex planning context regarding transit-oriented communities, including the Ontario government’s recently passed Transit-Oriented Communities Act.
February 17, 2021
In this policy paper Mitchell Davidson examines investment attraction models in peer jurisdictions to better understand the key design and operational questions that the Ontario and Alberta governments must address as they stand up their own investment attraction agencies.
January 26, 2021
Sean Speer, Drew Fagan and Luka Glozic examine current economic planning efforts by Canadian policymakers, how they compare to other jurisdictions, and how best to plan for the post pandemic future.
December 17, 2020
André Côté, Alexi White and Michael Cuenco explore the need for Ontario's Higher Education system to move beyond traditional programs and models.
December 17, 2020
Andre Cote and Alexi White discuss how two concurrent crises in Higher Education (outdated business models, coupled with COVID19) creates an opportunity to focus on important new population of learners -- working age Ontarians.
November 23, 2020
Noah Zon explores the communications-related uncertainty around the programs and policies the Canadian and provincial governments have implemented since the beginning of COVID-19.
November 12, 2020
Jonah Goldberg and Sean Speer discuss how Ontario can play a leadership role in strategies to improve Canadian federalism as part of post-pandemic recovery planning.
October 23, 2020
Sean Speer, Drew Fagan and Michael Cuenco outline best practices for budgeting in crisis, offering advice and insight for policymakers charged with planning the next Ontario budget, due in November.
October 1, 2020
Sean Speer, Drew Fagan and Luka Glozic explore the unprecedented damage to Ontario's economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper offers recommendations to help restore Ontario's economy and boost growth.
May 13, 2020
Ontario has been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, and with it has come a severe disruption of the province’s public policy priorities. The transition from economic stabilization to economic renewal will be highly challenging.
February 27, 2020
George Vegh outlines the need for the Ontario government to establish a more evidence-based model for energy procurement.
February 20, 2020
Sean Speer examines various Ontario policy reforms that are aimed at improving the province’s investment climate.
February 13, 2020
Brian Dijkema and Sean Speer outline the significant focus the Ontario government has placed on advancing skilled trades as part of its overall economic agenda.
January 30, 2020
Jon Medow and Ollie Sheldrick summarize best practices from across the country, aiming to improve credential recognition in regulated occupations.
January 23, 2020
The Province of Ontario and its municipalities should review the current division of responsibilities for planning, regulating, funding, and delivering key services to Ontarians.
November 26, 2019
Kevin McCarthy and Sean Speer outline how to support Ontario's ambitious fiscal agenda.
November 20, 2019
Jamison Steeve and Sean Speer on business support programs and their effectiveness
November 13, 2019
Weseem Ahmed discusses Ontario’s Urban-Rural Divide.
November 13, 2019
Lorenzo Gonzalez and Sean Speer outline how economic growth and dynamism have not been evenly distributed across the province, especially when rural and urban areas are compared.
November 5, 2019
Karen Myers, Kelly Pasolli and Simon Harding on Skills Development
October 29, 2019
Noah Zon and Thomas Granofsky on resetting social assistance reform
October 17, 2018
Charles Lammam and Sean Speer on the need to modernize Ontario's regulatory policy
October 15, 2018
Paul Boothe and Alister Smith on improving Ontario's economic competitiveness
April 26, 2018
Jennifer Robson on Better Life Chances for Ontario's Children
April 18, 2018
Trevor Tombe on an Evidence-Based Climate Policy for Ontario
April 11, 2018
Livio Di Matteo on Restoring Ontario’s Long-term Fiscal Sustainability
March 21, 2018
An introduction to Ontario 360
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