Mowat Centre

The Mowat Centre was an independent Canadian public policy think tank associated with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. It was established in 2009 with support from the government of Ontario, and published its first report in February 2010.[1] It closed in June 2019 after its funding agreement with the Government of Ontario was cancelled.[2] It was named after Ontario's longest-serving Premier, Sir Oliver Mowat.

About

The Mowat Centre described itself as "Ontario's non-partisan, evidence-based voice on public policy."[3] It "undertakes collaborative applied policy research, proposes innovative research-driven recommendations, and engages in public dialogue on Canada's most important national issues."[3]

Academic experts the Mowat Centre collaborated with include Robin Boadway, Sujit Choudhry, Tom Courchene, and others. Organizations Mowat collaborated with include the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, the Broadbent Institute, the Brookings Institution, the Caledon Institute of Social Policy, the Canada West Foundation, Corporate Knights, KPMG, Leger Marketing, and others.

According to a 2015 report analyzing its own policy impact and public footprint,[4] the Mowat Centre played a role in the passage of the Fair Representation Act 2011[5] and reforms made to policy proposals that led to the Canada Job Grant and income splitting in Canada. According to the same report, in the years 2010 through 2014 the Mowat Centre published 101 reports, was mentioned in 1317 media reports, and was referenced 59 times in policy reports and 87 times in academic research.[4]

Research

The Mowat Centre's research focused on two areas: intergovernmental economic and social policy[6] and government transformation.[7] In addition, The Mowat Centre was home to three research hubs, two of which have also closed. One was focused on energy policy in Ontario and Canada.[8] The other was focused on education and skills.[9] A third research hub, focused on the not-for-profit sector in Ontario and Canada, remains active.[10]

In the area of intergovernmental economic and social policy, the Mowat Centre published research into policy areas such as Canadian transfer payments,[11][12][13][14] equalization payments in Canada,[15][16][17] fiscal federalism in Canada, intergovernmental relations in Canada,[18][19][20] poverty reduction and social programs in Canada,[21][22][23][24][25][26] Canada's Employment Insurance program,[27][28][29][30][31] Canada's immigration system and the economic impact of immigrants in Canada,[32][33][34] Canadians’ attitudes towards the Canadian federation,[35][36] the distribution of electoral ridings in Canada,[37][38][39][40] the economy of Ontario and Canada[41][42][43][44][45][46] and others.

The Mowat Centre also led the Mowat Centre EI Task Force,[47] a task force of leading experts and public figures co-chaired by Ratna Omidvar and Roy Romanow, which reviewed Canada's Employment Insurance (EI) system, conducted public consultations about its relevance to contemporary realities, commissioned research on various aspects of the system from leading Canadian academic experts, and made recommendations about improving Canada's support system for the unemployed.[48][49]

In the area of government transformation, the Mowat Centre published work examining "how governments can improve their ability to deliver high-quality public services and public policy, even in times of fiscal constraint",[7] through public service reform. Issues have included improvements to the health care system in Canada,[50] the integration of human services,[51] outcomes-based funding,[52] insights for governments from behavioural science,[53] the regulation of disruptive technologies,[54][55] the role of government procurement [lxviii] in poverty reduction,[56] community benefits agreements[57] and other topics.

Mowat NFP, Mowat's research hub focused on the not-for-profit sector, published research on human capital and capacity building in the not-for-profit sector, social enterprises,[58] social impact bonds,[59] data priorities for the not-for-profit sector,[60] wages in the not-for-profit sector[61] and other topics.

Mowat Energy, Mowat's research hub focused on energy policy, published research on energy security, energy r&d funding,[62] social license and public engagement in energy policy decisions,[63] an analysis of the economic impact [lxxxiv] on Ontario of the Energy East proposal,[64] and carbon pricing in Canada.[65]

Other activities

In addition to public policy research, the Mowat Centre engages in a variety of public policy knowledge transfer and convening activities. In 2010 it co-organized, with the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, the 2010 State of the Federation conference.[66] In 2011 the Mowat Centre co-organized, with the Brookings Institution, the Windsor-Detroit summit. Following the summit, the Mowat Centre took a leading role in creating the Council of the Great Lakes Region,[67] which was launched in 2013. Mowat has since collaborated with the Council of the Great Lakes Region on several research projects.[68]

Leadership and funding

The Mowat Centre's founding director was Matthew Mendelsohn. Mendelsohn is a former political science professor at Queens University and a former Deputy Minister in the Ontario Public Service, and has advised governments and political candidates on various policy matters, drawing on his academic expertise as well as Mowat research. He left the Mowat Centre in January 2016 for a senior position with the Public Service of Canada.[69]

The Mowat Centre was established with funding from the Ontario government.[70] According to the Mowat Centre's public reports, the core grant constitutes less than 40% of the Centre's annual funding ($900,000 out of a total budget of $2,289,410 in fiscal year 2014-2015), with the remainder of its funding raised independently.[71]

The Mowat Centre's advisory board is composed of experts, education and policy leaders, and public figures, and includes former Ontario cabinet ministers from all major parties: Sean Conway, Joseph Cordiano, Dianne Cunningham, and Frances Lankin. Among other members of the Mowat Centre's advisory board are Alan Broadbent, Lisa De Wilde, Tony Dean, Dominic Giroux, John Honderich, Shirley Hoy, Danielle Martin, and André Pratte.

References
  1. "The New Ontario | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  2. "Announcement from The Mowat Centre | The Mowat Centre". Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  3. "About | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  4. "Mowat Centre Impact Report 2010-2015 | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  5. Branch, Legislative Services. "Consolidated federal laws of canada, Fair Representation Act". laws.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  6. "Intergovernmental Economic & Social Policy | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  7. "Government Transformation | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  8. "Mowat Energy | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  9. "Research Initiative on Education + Skills | The Mowat Centre". Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  10. "Mowat NFP | The Mowat Centre". mowatcentre.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  11. Ferguson, Rob (2013-04-01). "University of Toronto study titled "Filling the Gap" calls for changes to the federal equalization program". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  12. Valorzi, John. "Ontario losing billions in transfer payments: Mowat report | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  13. Valorzi, John. "Mowat report hammers federal transfers system | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  14. Valorzi, John. "Transfers to Ontario improve but fundamental flaws remain with equalization | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  15. Benzie, Robert (2012-02-06). "Canada's national wealth-sharing scheme violates the Constitution with a half-baked equalization formula that shortchanges provinces like Ontario, a major new study has found". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  16. "Equalization Not So Equal?". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  17. "Kelly McParland: Report says Ontario is big loser in broken equalization program". National Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  18. "Maxime Bernier wants to have an adult conversation". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  19. "Ontario must stand ground on pipeline projects, report says". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  20. "Income splitting would cost provinces about $1.7-billion a year, study says". Financial Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  21. "Is 70 the new 65?". Financial Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  22. "Canada Job Grant program is 'deeply flawed,' report says". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  23. "That time they tried to do a study but gave up for lack of data". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  24. "Reframe Canada's social safety net as its social architecture so we can rebuild it before it crumbles: report". National Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  25. "'A Glaring Gap In Canada's Social Architecture'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  26. "Ending Canada's retirement woes must go beyond CPP: Study". www.benefitscanada.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  27. "Kelly McParland: Out of work? Live west of Quebec? Too bad for you". National Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  28. "Young Men The Face Of Poverty In Post-Recession Canada: Study". CityNews. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  29. "Canada needs temporary unemployment assistance: think tank". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  30. Donkin, Karissa (2012-07-10). "Young people and immigrants in big cities more likely to take jobs they don't want under EI changes, report says". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  31. "Is the Federal Government Slaying the Deficit with EI Increases?". TVO. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  32. Mendelsohn, Matthew; Tan, Serene (2013-09-24). "If Canadian businesses fail to mobilize immigrant talent, Canada will miss one of the enormous global economic developments now underway". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  33. "Four changes to the TFW program that would help Canadian businesses". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  34. Valorzi, John. "Mowat report says new Express Entry immigration program still has flaws | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  35. "Unravelling Canada's crazy quilt - Macleans.ca". Macleans.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  36. Mendelsohn, Matthew (2010-02-24). "Two of the defining features of Canada's federal makeup since World War II have been Ontarians' lack of provincial identity, along with a sentiment among Ontarians that the federation generally worked in Ontario's interests. New public opinion data suggest that some of these attitudes are shifting". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  37. "Unequal votes threatening Canadian democracy, study finds". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  38. Sun, Vancouver. "Bill narrows political representation gap". Canada.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  39. "Fewer new House seats than expected for Ontario, B.C." National Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  40. "Proposed electoral map for Ontario doesn't increase voter equality, experts argue". canada.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  41. "Ontario needs to slay debt, find new markets, and support innovation: report". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  42. Lu, Vanessa (2014-02-27). "As Ontario factories close, a Mowat Centre report explores what industry should look like in the 21st century. Hint: it's high-tech, advanced manufacturing". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  43. McGrath, John Michael. "Infrastructure funding needs overhaul, a report urges | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  44. "NetNewsLedger - Thunder Bay News - North Policy Institute Prepares for 2015 Federal Election". NetNewsLedger - Thunder Bay News. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  45. "Federal parties need strategy for Ontario 's economy, Mowat Centre study says". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  46. "Infrastructure report: More integration needed". www.constructioncanada.net. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  47. "Home | Mowat Centre Employment Insurance Task Force". www.mowateitaskforce.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  48. Star, Windsor. "EI forum aimed at improving system". Canada.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  49. "Antiquated, unfair EI system needs fundamental overhaul: task force". Global News. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  50. "Lower health-care spending through innovations, study urges". National Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  51. Dean, Tony. "Dean: A must-read report for public sector managers | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  52. Valorzi, John. "In funding efficiency debate, a case for outcomes over inputs | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  53. "'Nudging' creates corporate change". www.leaderpost.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  54. "Uber, Airbnb not going anywhere so find a way to regulate them, governments told". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  55. "New taxi studies show Uber's surge, need for regulation". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  56. Mojtehedzadeh, Sara (2015-08-24). "Province's hospitals and universities could inject hundreds of millions of dollars into local communities through smarter spending, report says". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  57. "Addressing income and wealth inequality at the local level | U of T News". www.news.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  58. Dean, Tony. "Dean: Governments and social innovators as partners in creative solutions | QP Briefing". Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  59. "A closer look at social impact bonds - Article - investmentexecutive.com". investmentexecutive.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  60. "Niagara readies for big data technologies – - Niagara Connects". www.niagaraconnects.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  61. "Ontario non-profit organizations are dedicated to helping others but too often are neglecting their own employees. It's time they provided "decent work."". The Toronto Star. 2015-11-25. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  62. "Provincial, federal ministers to skirt talk of a national energy strategy". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  63. "Talking about talking about energy - APPrO Magazine Online". magazine.appro.org. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  64. "Ontario sets stage for Energy East battle as watchdog says pipeline's risks outweigh benefits". Financial Post. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  65. "Beyond carbon pricing: a seven-point plan | U of T News". www.news.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  66. "State of the Federation 2010 | Institute of Intergovernmental Relations". www.queensu.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  67. "The Council of the Great Lakes Region – CGLR is a regional organization to coordinate and support ongoing regional collaboration efforts and responses to emerging regional challenges". councilgreatlakesregion.org. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  68. "Study: Low Great Lakes water levels will be costly". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  69. "Mowat Centre head appointed deputy secretary to cabinet". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  70. "Premier helps to officially open U of T's Mowat Centre | U of T News". www.news.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  71. "Annual Report 2015" (PDF).
  • Tapp, Stephen (2015). What Can a Little Birdie Tell Us About Think Tank Ideology.
  • Banting, Keith and Jon Medow (2012). Making EI Work: Research from the Mowat Centre Employment Insurance Task Force. ISBN 978-1-55339-323-8.
  • Mendelsohn, Matthew, Joshua Hjartarson and James Pearce (2013). Shifting Power: The New Ontario and What it Means for Canada. ISBN 978-1-55339-200-2.
  • The Mowat Centre (December 2015). Impact Report 2010-2015.
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