About the Canadian Centre for Policy AlternativesCanadian Centre for Policy AlternativesCCPA_ec5cf6be-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4bThe Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada's leading progressive voices in public policy debates...Donor-funded -- The CCPA is a registered non-profit charity. We depend on the support of our more than 12,000 supporters across Canada.CanadiansCanadian PolicymakersCanadian ActivistsCCPA National Board of DirectorsThe President and Vice-President/Treasurer are officers of the National Board. They and the National Board of Directors are elected by the Members' Council. The National Board of Directors gives direction to and oversees the National Office, through the National Executive Director, based on the mandate and strategic direction established by the Members' Council. The Board of Directors also has general responsibility for carrying out the decisions of the Council with respect to mandate, and strategic direction throughout CCPA.Larry BrownPresidentEve-Lyne CouturierVice-President/TreasurerJim TurkResearch Associates ChairChris RobertsBoard MemberNora LoretoBoard MemberJulie GuardBoard MemberCCPA Members' CouncilRole of the Members' Council -- The CCPA Members' Council is made up of representatives of trade unions, social justice and other allied organizations, individuals elected by our supporters at large, plus researchers and academics appointed because of their specialized skills and knowledge. The Council's role is to set broad strategic objectives and organizational direction. The implementation of those objectives, and the production of reports and publications, is the role of staff under the direction of the National and Provincial Office Directors. The Centre prides itself on the high quality of its research, and the ongoing integrity of this work is ensured by peer review overseen by the National and Provincial Office Directors.The Members' Council is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the National Executive Director maintains the required standards of quality in all publications of the Centre, directly with respect to national publications and through the Provincial Directors for provincial office publications.The Members' Council has a dual role -- to ensure that the overall entity called the CCPA operates within the mandate, statement of purpose, principles and general level of organizational integrity established by the Centre, and then also to set policies and priorities for the National Office.Provincial offices have governing bodies responsible for the strategic objectives and organizational direction of the Provincial offices. All the Centre's governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure that the research integrity and social justice mission of the CCPA that gives it such strength and legitimacy is protected, while growing the Centre's ability to influence the policy debate in Canada.Pat Armstrong, York UniversityLarry Brown, National Union of Public and General EmployeesEve-Lyne Couturier, IRISPaul Elliott, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ FederationGeorge Floresco, Canadian Union of Postal WorkersBernie Froese-Germain, Canadian Teachers' FederationGrace-Edward GalabuziRyerson UniversityMeg GingrichUnited Steelworkers UnionJulie GuardUniversity of Manitoba, CCPA-MBJudy HaivenSt. Mary's University, CCPA-NSLarry HaivenSt. Mary's UniversityMark HennessyUnited Food and Commercial Workers UnionNora LoretoIndependent ConsultantPaula MalleaIndependent ConsultantToby SangerCanadian Union of Public EmployeesShelley GordonCanadian Union of Public EmployeesJames McCormackElementary Teachers' Federation of OntarioJessica McCormickCanadian Federation of StudentsKeith ReynoldsCanadian Union of Public Employees British Columbia, CCPA-BCChris RobertsCanadian Labour CongressRick SawaCCPA-SKPriscilla SetteeUniversity of SaskatchewanJim SilverUniversity of Winnipeg, CCPA-MBJim StanfordUniforSteve StaplesIndependent ConsultantJim TurkRyerson UniversityElizabeth WoodsPublic Service Alliance of CanadaCCPA National Office StaffThe CCPA's National Office was established in 1980 when the Centre was founded. Located in Ottawa, it coordinates the CCPA's national research agenda and publishes reports, studies, books and commentary on a wide range of public policy issues.The office also publishes its national magazine, the Monitor (six times a year) and Our Schools/Our Selves, a quarterly education journal.The National Office houses several ongoing projects: the Alternative Federal Budget, the Education Project, the Growing Gap, Making Women Count, and the Trade and Investment Research Project.Peter BleyerExecutive Director -- Peter Bleyer has worked to advance progressive policy in Canada for many years. He has led the growth and development of organizations engaged in progressive policy work and has been a public spokesperson on a wide range of policy issues.Peter was most recently Special Advisor to the Professional Institute of the Public Service (PIPSC), where he was instrumental in efforts to defend science and evidence-based policy making in the federal public service.Peter was previously President of the Canadian Council for Social Development (CCSD), where he led a broad program of social policy research, outreach and engagement, and Executive Director of the Council of Canadians.As a consultant, Peter has also provided policy and strategic advice to a wide range of public, non-governmental, and labour organizations in Canada and internationally. He has also served on the Board of Directors of a number of environmental and community organizations, including as Chair of the Board of Directors of Greenpeace Canada.Peter holds a PhD from the London School of Economics.Melanie AllisonAccounting Officer -- Melanie Allison Melanie has been with the CCPA National Office since 2002 after having worked for 12 years as a front line caregiver with the Children’s Aid Society and lifeskills coach with adults dealing with mental health issues. It’s with great pleasure that she now uses her skills in accounting at the CCPA. Being part of an organization that works to strengthen the social net of Canadians keeps her connected to the values and goals perpetuated through her years of work within the social services.Outside of the office she can often be found on a tennis court or in a yoga studio, where she's currently completing her hatha yoga teacher training.Bruce Campbell(on leave)Bruce Campbell is past Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He is the author of numerous articles and reports on national and international public policy issues, and is a frequent media commentator and conference presenter. Bruce has appeared as a witness before Commons and Senate committees, and before the U.S. Congress.For many years Bruce coordinated the CCPA's flagship Alternative Federal Budget. He is co-author or editor of five books including: Straight Through the Heart: How the Liberals Abandoned the Just Society (with Maude Barlow); Living with Uncle: Canada-US Relations in an Age of Empire (with Ed Finn); and, Medicare: Facts, Myths, Problems & Promise (with Greg Marchildon).Before coming to the CCPA, Bruce was as a senior economist with the Canadian Labour Congress; a trade policy analyst and legislative assistant with the federal NDP caucus; and a researcher with the North South Institute. He holds an MA from the Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University.From January to December 2016, Bruce will be on a Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship, hosted by the Common Law and Droit Civil Sections at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, as well as the University of Ottawa's Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC). The fellowship will allow him to deepen his research on oil transport by rail, including regulatory failure behind the Lac-Mégantic disaster and avenues of redress for victims.Kerri-Anne FinnDirector of Communications -- Kerri-Anne has a BA in Communications from the University of Ottawa. Since 2000 she has overseen the CCPA’s extensive communications activities, which range from developing communications strategies, managing media relations and digital communications, coordinating the work of the national communications team, and ensuring CCPA materials are as accessible and user-friendly as possible. She also works with Emily Turk on web strategy.Kerri is a foodie, music geek, and sometimes photographer. She lives with her husband and a small cat with a big personality.Anskia GingrasDevelopment and Database Officer -- Anskia, our Development and Database Officer, has had various roles with CCPA since 1999. She currently oversees the maintenance of our database and works with the team in the development department.Very proud to be a part of one of Canada's leading progressive policy organizations, Anskia has enjoyed helping our individual supporter base grow to a strong 12,000 supporters. In addition to a strong sense of social justice, Anskia's compassion and passion for helping orphaned children has led her to become an advocate for an orphanage in Quito, Ecuador, where she and her husband recently volunteered. In her spare time -- when not glued to the computer screen, social media vying for her attention -- she plays referee to her son and stepson and battles the ever-growing stacks of her beloved books which are crowding her family out of the house.Trish HennessyFounding Director, Growing Gap Project -- Trish Hennessy is a former journalist who, as the founding director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives' income inequality project, specializes in the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us. Trish has a B.A. in Sociology from Queen's University, a B.S.W. from Carleton University, and a Master's degree in Sociology from OISE/University of Toronto.Trish is also Director of the CCPA's Ontario Office. Follow Trish on Twitter.Katie LoftusDevelopment Officer -- Katie came to the CCPA in 2013 as Development Officer with the mandate to establish a Legacy Giving program and establish closer relationships with our most generous supporters. She gets great satisfaction out of working with people who have the generosity to plan ahead in order to help ensure that the CCPA remains one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates for generations to come.Prior to that, Katie spent nine years with the David Suzuki Foundation establishing the Foundation’s successful Legacy Giving program and working with major donors.Katie has a B.A. English Degree from McMaster University, completed her B.A. Honours English Degree from University of Ottawa and tagged on a Corporate Communications Diploma from Seneca College.Katie is inspired by nature and can be found outside as much as possible including a daily bike commute to work. She is kept young at heart by her two daughters, family adventures; and the goofy antics of a new addition to the family -- a chocolate lab puppy named Ginger. Katie also loves spontaneous encounters with new people, new places and new food.David MacdonaldSenior Economist -- David joined the CCPA as its Senior Ottawa Economist in 2011, although he has been a long time contributor as a research associate. Since 2008, he has coordinated the Alternative Federal Budget, which takes a fresh look at the federal budget from a progressive perspective. David has also written on a variety of topics, from Canada's real estate bubble to Aboriginal income inequality, and he is a regular media commentator on national policy issues. David received his BA from the University of Windsor and his MA from the University of Guelph, both in Philosophy.Kate McInturffDirector, Making Women Count -- Kate McInturff is a Senior Researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. She is the director of the CCPA's initiative on gender equality and public policy, Making Women Count, and is an ongoing contributor to the Alternative Federal Budget. Kate is the past Executive Director of FAFIA and currently sits on the UN Advisory Group on Inequalities in the Post-MDG Framework and the Coordinating Committee of SocialWatch. Kate received her doctoral degree from the University of British Columbia in 2000.Hadrian Mertins-KirkwoodResearcher -- Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood is a researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, where he focuses on federal and provincial climate change policy in Canada. He is also an ongoing contributor to the CCPA's Trade and Investment Research Project and Alternative Federal Budget. Hadrian is interested in the intersections between trade and the environment, as well as the broader implications of international treaties for Canadian sovereignty and economic development.Hadrian holds an MA in Political Economy from Carleton University and a BA in Communications from Western University. He lives and works in Ottawa, where he is actively involved in the city's ultimate frisbee community as the head coach of the Carleton University men's ultimate team and the assistant coach of the Ottawa Outlaws semi-professional ultimate team.Jason MooresDevelopment and Administrative Services -- Jason is often the first voice or line of communication for the National Office -- manning the reception line and general email box. He also works closely with the development department, and provides assistance to staff and CCPA supporters.Jason aims to keep fit walking his tireless Standard Schnauzer or playing tennis on one of the courts around the city.Jennie RoyerDevelopment and Administrative Services -- Jennie provides support to staff, CCPA supporters and also manages the CCPA's supporters who contribute on a monthly basis. Jennie is an ongoing student presently working on an accounting certificate to better assist Mélanie in the finances of all CCPA offices.In her spare time you will find Jennie playing tennis, cycling, gardening or trying to improve her breaking technique on her roller-blades.Tim ScarthSenior Graphic Designer -- Tim Scarth is the CCPA's Senior Graphic Designer and is responsible for the design and layout of the printed materials produced by the CCPA's National, Nova Scotia and Ontario offices.Tim has a degree in English and a diploma in Art History. Outside of work he enjoys reading, photography, and dogs.Erika ShakerDirector of Education and Outreach -- Erika has been at the CCPA since early 1997 as director of the Education Project. Originally established to monitor corporate involvement in public education, it broadened its focus -- with help from a dedicated circle of research associates -- to include standardized testing, social justice and anti-racism education in schools, Aboriginal education, school finance, child care and early childhood education, tuition and user fees, technology, surveillance and privacy, the arts, and community-based education. The Project has produced a series of reports, books, commentaries and, since 2000, the quarterly magazine "Our Schools / Our Selves" (founded in 1988).Erika has a BA in History from McGill University and an MA in English (critical literary analysis) from the University of Guelph. Prior to coming to the CCPA, she worked in Washington DC researching the corporatization of childhood, and was one of the founders of UNPLUG (which became the now-defunct Center for Commercial-Free Public Education). She spends far too much time on social media.Scott SinclairDirector, Trade and Investment Research Project -- Scott directs the CCPA's Trade and Investment Research Project. This project, which brings together researchers from twenty Canadian NGOs and trade unions, has gained national and international recognition for its studies critical of corporate-driven globalization.Scott has written numerous books, chapters, and monographs including Facing the Facts: A Guide to the GATS Debate (with Jim Grieshaber-Otto); Atlantica: Myths and Reality (with John Jacobs) and Putting Health First: Canadian Health Care Reform, Trade Treaties and Foreign Policy (with Matthew Sanger), a background study prepared for the Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Prior to joining CCPA, Scott was a senior trade policy advisor with the Government of British Columbia. Scott has a BA in political science from UPEI and an MA in political science from York University. He lives with his family in rural Prince Edward Island and in his spare time enjoys walking and bird watching.Letisha ToopDatabase and Administrative Services -- Letisha joined the CCPA in 2014 to work in the development department providing administrative support and processing annual donations. Prior to joining the CCPA, she worked as the communications and policy assistant at 25One Community. She graduated from Carleton University in 2013 with a BA Honours in Human Rights. Letisha currently sits on the board of the Young Non Profit Professionals Network of Ottawa, an organization dedicated to engaging and supporting young workers in the local non profit sector. In her free time, she loves to cook and enjoys running and exploring Ottawa.Emily TurkSenior Communications Advisor -- Emily joined the CCPA in 2011, and is responsible for the direction and management of the organization's online presence. She works closely with her colleagues to nurture CCPA's public voice and amplify its reach, and she provides strategic advice on internal communications issues, staffing, and organizational development. Previously, Emily worked in communications, policy and programming for several organizations in the field of sexual and reproductive rights, including Canadians for Equal Marriage and the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights.Emily served on the Advisory Committee for Next Up Ottawa's inaugral program, and for five years she served on the Board of Directors of Canadians for Choice, a national organization providing emergency funding for Canadians' travel to abortion clinics and hospitals, and a Canada-wide 24-hour hotline for pregnancy options and sexual and reproductive health information. Emily lives in Ottawa with her wife and daughter.Armine YalnizyanSenior Economist -- Armine Yalnizyan joined the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives as senior economist in 2008, after a long association dating back to 1993. Every Wednesday and Friday Armine brings a fresh take on business news on CBC Radio's #1 morning show, Metro Morning, reaching a million listeners in the Greater Toronto Area, and more online. Armine also appears weekly on the Big Picture panel, a popular feature of Canada's premier business-news program, CBC-TV's The Exchange (formerly with Amanda Lang).Armine obtained her M.A. in Industrial Relations from University of Toronto and has a bilingual B.A. in economics from Glendon College, York University, including a year's study in economics at Université de Bordeaux, France. She proudly received the Atkinson Foundation's inaugural Award for Economic Justice.She is Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Business Economics and serves on the boards of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research's Institute of Population and Public Health and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.Stuart TrewEditor, The Monitor -- Stuart is the editor of The Monitor, the CCPA's national magazine, and co-editor on a number of other recent CCPA publications, including The Harper Record: 2009-2015, Making Sense of the CETA, and a series of papers under the title What’s the Big Deal? Understanding the Trans-Pacific Partnership.Stuart graduated from Carleton University in 2000 with a bachelor of journalism and political science. Until 2006, he was the editor and political columnist for a popular news and entertainment weekly in Ottawa. He spent the following eight years at the Council of Canadians as a researcher, organizer and trade campaigner, publishing several reports, book chapters and frequent news commentaries on the connections between the free trade regime, social and economic inequality, and climate change. In 2009, Stuart co-founded the Trade Justice Network, which continues to bring together labour, environmental organizations, students, human rights groups and others to challenge Canada’s "next generation" free trade agreements.Canadians to make informed decisions_ec5cf934-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4bTo produce research and analysis necessary for policymakers, activists, and everyday Canadians to make informed decisions and press for social change._ec5cfa92-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4bIndependenceNon-PartisanshipResearchSocial JusticeEconomic JusticeEnvironmental JusticePracticalityHuman DignityFreedomFairnessEqualityEnvironmental SustainabilityPublic GoodResearchShed light on the key issues facing Canada._ec5cfba0-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b1ResearchersWe work with top-notch researchers to shed light on the key issues facing Canada.Research & AnalysisDelivers research and analysis._ec5cfcd6-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b1.1The CCPA delivers original, independent, peer-reviewed, non-partisan research and analysis.Wealth GapAddress the gap between the rich and the rest of us in Canada._ec5cfde4-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b1.2The CCPA is a leading and respected voice on the gap between the rich and the rest of us in Canada.Climate JusticeShow how Canada can create green jobs and transition to a sustainable economy._ec5cfef2-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b1.3Our groundbreaking work on climate justice has shown how Canada can create green jobs and transition to a sustainable economy.Provincial OfficesLead the way on emerging provincial and municipal issues and create space for a progressive exchange of ideas and solutions._ec5d001e-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b1.4Provinces of CanadaWe have a National Office in Ottawa, and provincial offices in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.Our provincial offices lead the way on emerging provincial and municipal issues and create space for a progressive exchange of ideas and solutions.Alternative BudgetDemonstrate what a government can achieve if it were truly committed to an agenda that reflects the values of the large majority of Canadians._ec5d0136-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b1.5Our national flagship project, the Alternative Federal Budget continues to demonstrate what a government can achieve if it were truly committed to an agenda that reflects the values of the large majority of Canadians.DebatePromote solutions that unite Canadians._ec5d0244-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b2CanadiansPoliticiansPolicy MakersBalanced debate -- CCPA research doesn't just sit on a shelf gathering dust. Every month, we are featured in hundreds of media stories. We work proactively to balance media coverage of issues like the economy, poverty, the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us, climate change, health care, education, and much more.Our experts are in high demand as media commentators, promoting solutions that unite, rather than divide, Canadians. Both politicians and policy makers turn to CCPA research when they need credible non-partisan analysis._ec5d037a-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4bMyth-BustingDebunk myths._ec5d049c-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b3The CCPA debunks myths -- like the myth that an aging population threatens public health care, or that meeting our climate change obligations is a job-killer. Our bi-monthly magazine, The Monitor, is packed with facts and analysis that will help you untangle the spin._ec5d05be-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4bSolutionsWork on solutions._ec5d06fe-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b4We don't just analyze problems. We work on solutions -- solutions that show Canadians' best values are not only possible, they're practical. These ideas are anchored by some basic principles: human dignity and freedom, fairness, equality, environmental sustainability, and the public good. They show that we can afford to build a more just and sustainable Canada -- and that our economy will be stronger for it._ec5d0816-c64d-11e6-a33b-05bd3366cb4b2016-12-19https://www.policyalternatives.ca/officesOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net