Saturday, November 30, 2024

Canada and Cuba in the context of expanding global authoritarianism

Cuba today is experiencing a unique historical moment. For the first time in more than six decades, a new generation of young people have started to demand their rights in a public and peaceful way. This nascent culture of peaceful resistance requires international support and solidarity to be successful. The Cuban regime through its repressive […]

On the frontline of European democracy: A conversation with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Not since the end of the Cold War has democracy in Europe been so imperilled by authoritarians. Following its corrupt and fraud-mired 2020 election, Belarus has slid further into repression. A mass protest movement of Belarusians sought to challenge the illegitimate election results, but the regime brought its brutality to bear to quash all democratic […]

Bolstering the Role of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific: Implications for Canada

 The development of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) underscores for the first time some of the organization’s shared values and norms in the context of the Indo-Pacific. AOIP is the way in which ASEAN envisions the Indo-Pacific and the guiding principles for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. This is not an insignificant […]

Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy: What next?

Canada released its long-awaited Indo-Pacific Strategy in late November attempting to craft out a long term vision for the region. The document referred to China as a "disruptive" actor in the region and internationally. It also indicated a need for Canada to work more closely with like-minded partners in the region. While recognition of the […]

Race to resources? Canada’s new critical minerals strategy and its implications

In December, Canada recently released its long-awaited critical minerals strategy. How will this new approach affect Canada’s ability to leverage these important natural resources – and how interested are our allies in working with Canada for our mutual benefit and security? Will it be enough to spark new investment and confidence in operating in Canada? […]

Defending democracies from disinformation: A new imperative for Canada-Japan strategic cooperation

Canada has begun placing greater emphasis on security in the Indo-Pacific, including greater recognition of the threat posed by China. Chinese influence operations and possible disinformation campaigns are increasingly viewed with concern. Although perhaps a less serious problem than faced by countries like the US or Taiwan, Canada remains vulnerable to such foreign disinformation efforts. […]

New tools or new competitors? The future of competition law in Canada

The rise of the digital economy has opened up an important debate: Does Canadian competition policy need a fundamental overhaul or simply updating at the margins? Are new regulatory tools required - or should we look to an untapped source of additional competition from outside our borders? Join us as our panel of experts debates […]

Holding the Kremlin to account: A special international tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine

On January 19th, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in support of creating an international tribunal to hold the Russian government to account for its invasion of Ukraine and the government of Belarus for supporting Russia’s aggression. Canada and its Baltic allies are among the leading global supporters of Ukraine’s freedom and sovereignty. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute, […]

Finding a good fit: Indigenous peoples and small modular reactors

In recent years, novel reactor technologies, commonly referred to as small modular reactors (SMRs), have emerged that can supply power to electrical grids or to remote, off-grid areas. Although they vary in size, SMRs are typically smaller than conventional nuclear reactors and are designed to be manufactured at a plant and then transported to a […]

A third way for drug addiction policy in Canada

As the opioid crisis continues to ravage much of North America, policy-makers continue to debate the best way not just to save lives, but to get lives back on track. […]

The origin of COVID-19: The debate opens up

 Where did COVID-19 come from? For a long time after the outbreak of the global pandemic, even posing this question was considered controversial. But several voices have long challenged […]