Policy Impact	Special Events	Lookback in Time	Giving
The C.D. Howe Institute, Canada’s leading nonpartisan public policy think tank, is proud to be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2008. During the past half-century, the Institute has made a lasting and vital contribution toward improving Canadians’ standard of living by fostering sound economic and social policy. Since its inception in 1958, the Institute has stayed on the forefront of public policy debates in Canada, providing clear, innovative thinking about the nation’s challenges. Its life-span has been marked by strong public policy leadership, timely research initiatives, and a reputation for producing independent, reasoned and relevant research. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, the C.D. Howe Institute will be hosting a series of events and initiatives. “Independent research is critical to debate, and the C.D. Howe Institute is a true Canadian jewel.” — Kevin G. Lynch, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

What's New

David Dodge Praises Long-Term Inflation-Targeting Role for Central Bank; Recommends Policy Responses to Credit Crisis: C.D. Howe Institute.

Toronto, Nov. 19
The Bank of Canada must remain focused on its long-term monetary framework of inflation-targeting and a flexible exchange rate, which has served the country well, as it makes shorter-term policy responses to the credit crisis, according to David Dodge, former Governor of the Bank. In Central Banking at a Time of Crisis and Beyond: A Practitioner’s Perspective, the C.D. Howe Institute’s 2008 Benefactors Lecture, David Dodge argues this framework is ideally suited to achieving both price stability and a sustainable economic outlook. Dodge, who served as governor from 2001 to 2008, makes recommendations for domestic and international policy reforms in response to the credit crisis.

For the study click here.

Policy Responses to a Crisis: So Far, So Good, More Needed -- C.D. Howe Institute.

Toronto, Nov. 14
Canadian policy responses to the credit crisis rate as “so far, so good,” according to a study released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “International Policy Responses to the Financial Crisis: A Canadian Perspective,” Institute economists Alexandre Laurin, Finn Poschmann and Robin Banerjee examine international policy responses to date and make recommendations for Canada.

For the e-brief click here.

Pension System Unfair, should include $1 million Target for Tax-Deferred Savings: C.D. Howe Institute Report.

Toronto, Nov 6
Access to retirement saving room is inequitably distributed between public and private sector workers, according to a study released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “A Pension in Every Pot: Better Pensions for More Canadians,” author James Pierlot says Canada’s retirement saving system serves some workers well and others not, depending on whether they have a career in the public sector or in the private sector. He offers some practical approaches to making Canada's private retirement saving system work – for everyone. He recommends replacing the current system of annual contribution limits with a more equitable lump-sum, lifetime accumulation target of $1 million – or more.

For the Commentary click here..

The first annual Sylvia Ostry lecture hosted by the C.D. Howe Institute took place on Oct. 29, 2008.

Toronto, October 29
Internationally acclaimed economist Jagdish Bhagwati Professor, Economics and Law, Columbia University spoke on the subject: “Why the Critics of Free-Trade are Mistaken.”

For the text of Professor Bhagwati's remarks click here..

EI Program Hinders Reduction in Regional Unemployment, Reforms Required: C.D. Howe Institute

Toronto, Oct. 23
Canada’s low national unemployment figures continue to mask the persistence of high regional unemployment, according to a study from the C.D. Howe Institute. The Employment Insurance program contributes to the problem and should be reformed, says policy analyst Colin Busby in “Fixing a Persistent Problem: Canada’s Regional Pockets of Unemployment.” Among other reforms, according to Busby, EI should be changed to: provide lump-sum moving bonuses financed through costs savings from changes to the EI program; target aid to high-needs workers; and allow for short-term portability of regional EI benefits.

For the report, click here.

Canada’s Oil Sands Valuable to US Energy Security: Top US Energy Official tells C.D. Howe Institute

Calgary, October 22
Canada’s oil sands are extremely valuable to the United States in this era of growing energy insecurity, according to Jeffrey Kupfer, acting Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Energy. Kupfer told a C.D. Howe Institute dinner in Calgary last night that with current oil sands production at 1.2 million barrels per day—and with projections that it will reach 2 million barrels per day in 2012, 3 million barrels per day in 2017, and 3.5 million barrels per day in 2020— “this resource is extremely valuable to the United States.” The biggest challenge, he added, lies in making sure this vast resource is developed in an economically efficient and environmentally responsible way. The Deputy Secretary said “the United States greatly values Canada as our most important, secure and reliable source of imported oil.”

For the text of the speech, click here.

Toronto, October 16 – C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Lower its Benchmark Interest Rate Target to 2.00 Percent

C.D. Howe Institute Names Doug Porter to its Monetary Policy Council
Toronto, October 16 — William Robson, president and CEO of the C.D. Howe Institute, today announced a new member of the Institute’s prestigious Monetary Policy Council (MPC). He is Douglas Porter, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets. Doug Porter has more than a quarter-century of experience as an analyst, strategist and forecaster of Canadian and world economic and financial-market developments. He is co-author of BMO Capital Markets' weekly Focus, formulates macroeconomic, currency and interest-rate strategy for BMO Capital Markets, and is a high-profile commentator on economic and financial trends.

For the full Communique, click here.

Ottawa Must Weigh Impact of Free Trade Agreements on Multilateral Trade: C.D. Howe Institute.
Toronto, Oct. 15 – Before continuing a headlong rush to form free trade agreements with partners around the globe, Ottawa should pause to consider the effects of a web of FTAs, according to an e-brief released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Stumbling Forward on Trade: The Doha Round, Free Trade Agreements, and Canada,” author Matthew B. Adler argues that FTAs tend to interfere with multilateral trade negotiations, which potentially would deliver broader benefits.

For the e-brief click here.

When School Systems Compete for Public Funding, Education Quality Improves: C.D. Howe Institute.
Toronto, Oct. 9 – Competition between schools in Ontario’s public and Catholic systems leads to some improvement in educational quality in both systems, according to a C.D. Howe Institute study released today. In “School Choice and the Benefits of Competition: Evidence from Ontario,” economists David Card of UC Berkeley, and Martin Dooley and A. Abigail Payne, both of McMaster University, say competition between schools can improve student performance since administrators have to improve the quality of education to attract students and the public funding tied to enrolment.

For the study click here.