Macdonald-Laurier Institute

Missed last week's episode of 'Active Measures'?

On episode 2, join Senior Fellow Marcus Kolga as he travels to Estonia to meet Estonian MP Eerik-Niiles Kross and discuss the lessons we can learn from his country’s fight against Russian misinformation:

Estonia's historical experience & resilience: Active Measures with Marcus Kolga | Macdonald-Laurier Institute In this episode, we'll look at how our allies on NATO's eastern flank have been the targets and victims of Russian operations for nearly a century.

"In our academic institutions, the pursuit of truth is increasingly becoming off-limits," warns Casey Babb.

"Political extremism is typically accepted & embraced... well-informed respectful debate is becoming less common, while antisemitism is surging."

Hey, teachers, don't leave those kids alone: Casey Babb in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Why is it that universities seem so averse to relying on their own codes of conduct to punish students and staff who participate in activities which clearly prejudice their institutions?

Fen Osler Hampson and Tim Sargent explore Canada’s defence spending dilemma - despite promises to meet NATO’s 2% target, significant challenges loom.

Ottawa must focus on its core responsibilities & shed non-essential programs to achieve this goal:

Trudeau promised to boost defence spending. Now that Parliament is back, will he follow through?: Fen Osler Hampson and Tim Sargent in the Hub | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The debate about spending more on Canada’s defence is wrongly presented as a choice between “guns” and “butter” - the real challenge is to persuade Canadians to tighten their belts because they are living in a more dangerous world.

Canada's military procurement system needs reform - while other NATO members are streamlining their processes, Canada lags behind.

Richard Shimooka calls for a dedicated defence procurement agency to streamline decision-making & ensure accountability:

Enough with the missed deadlines and massive overspending. Here’s how to fix Canada’s military procurement problems: Richard Shimooka in the Hub | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Canada has been fortunate its military has not been seriously called on in an emergency, but fortune is not a strategy, and the country finds itself unprepared to respond in any major way if needed.

Canada talks a big game on supporting Ukraine, but our actions say otherwise.

From weak military aid to taxpayer funding for a film that whitewashes Russian war crimes, Aaron Gasch Burnett argues it’s time to hold our decision-makers accountable:

Parliament must investigate shameful public funding for Russian propaganda film: Aaron Gasch Burnett for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Protests, condemnations, and cancellations of Russians at War are important – but not nearly enough when taxpayer money went to Russian disinformation. Canadian politicians must act.

Dive into our 3rd episode of Active Measures as Senior Fellow Marcus Kolga sits with former Brigadier General Jay Janzen in Helsinki to discuss the ongoing threats from Russian influence operations & NATO's strategy to defend our cognitive sovereignty:

NATO and cognitive warfare: Active Measures with Marcus Kolga | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Marcus Kolga travels to Helsinki, Finland, where he meets with former Canadian Brigadier General Jay Janzen to talk about the threats that NATO and its members face in the information and cognitive domain.

'Russians at War,' screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, is more than just a documentary—it's the Kremlin's latest attempt at propaganda.

Former Immigration Minister Chris Alexander breaks down why the film, funded by Canadian sources, poses a threat to our understanding of the war in Ukraine:

Russian propaganda should have no place at TIFF: Chris Alexander in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Anastasia Trofimova's documentary, 'Russians at War,' is part of Moscow's latest attempt to peddle disinformation to western audiences.

Are gender interventions truly helpful?

David Zitner argues that Canadian public health bodies are falling behind in advocating for evidence-based approaches to gender-affirming care - it's time to prioritize research before rushing into treatments:

Are gender interventions helpful? First do no harm! David Zitner for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute In pursuing gender-affirming care, doctors and parents simply cannot avoid harm...

Canada's forestry industry could be a game changer for both climate action & economic growth.

Heather Exner-Pirot notes that benign neglect has left much potential untapped - a coordinated national strategy is key to unlocking the sector's full potential:

Canada’s forestry sector - Born on third Base, hampered by policy: Heather Exner-Pirot for Policy Magazine | Macdonald-Laurier Institute When it comes to the potential of our forest sector, we have not been able to see the wood for the trees.

Keep reading at macdonaldlaurier.ca/insidepolicy/

"Canada has a lack of housing supply, not a lack of demand," explain Daniel Dorman and Peter Copeland.

"[Government's] measures... simply widen the pool of eligible buyers without concretely increasing supply..."

Why does Ottawa keep stoking housing demand instead of addressing supply?: Daniel Dorman and Peter Copeland in the Globe and Mail | Macdonald-Laurier Institute This article originally appeared in the Globe and Mail. By Daniel Dorman and Peter Copeland, September 18, 2024 The federal government just announced what

How can Canada build a sustainable news industry if the government fights in court against the integrity of subscriptions?

Peter Menzies explains how the recent ruling against Blacklock’s Reporter threatens the future of independent journalism:

The government is taking a puzzling approach to newspaper subscriptions: Peter Menzies in the Globe and Mail | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The current government has doggedly fought a case that threatens the news industry's ability to sustain itself through the acquisition and retention of subscribers.

Ontario's decision to close certain supervised drug consumption sites is polarizing.

Lori Regenstreif & Chris Milburn explain why this shift may actually offer a more compassionate & effective path forward:

Ontario pivots to a more humane treatment of addiction: Lori Regenstreif and Chris Milburn in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Panic over the shuttering of safe consumption sites near schools and daycares is unwarranted.

Is Canada losing its grip on freedom & tradition?

Peter Copeland explores how political correctness & equity-driven activism threaten free inquiry & democracy:

Free inquiry is vital to preserving our intellectual and cultural heritage: Peter Copeland for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute To preserve freedom in our institutions, we must revisit its true meaning.

Our latest report exposes a troubling trend in violent crime across Canada’s largest cities, with rising rates of sexual assault, robbery, and other violent offenses threatening public safety.

The authors call on policymakers to take immediate action to address the growing crisis and improve transparency in crime data reporting:

Canada’s Urban Crime Calamity | Macdonald-Laurier Institute New report reveals alarming rise in violent crime in Canadian cities and calls for urgent action on data transparency.

Marcus Kolga warns that while Chinese government influence operations have rightfully drawn attention in Canada, Russia’s equally corrosive campaigns have been largely ignored:

We ignore Russian influence at our peril: Marcus Kolga in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The tentacles of oligarchs and agents have penetrated deep into Canadian business, politics, and society.

Heather Exner-Pirot argues that the federal Conservatives can look to Alberta's example to determine their approach to climate policy, leading through a lens of innovation & competitiveness rather than degrowth & subsidies:

What should a Conservative climate policy look like? Hopefully Alberta’s: Heather Exner-Pirot in the Hub | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Alberta’s policies differ from the current federal government’s because they believe not only in the science but also the math - you need to be profitable in order to be sustainable.

Canada’s military is at a crossroads: decades of underfunding & delayed modernization have left the Canadian Forces struggling to maintain relevance.

Richard Shimooka argues it’s time to consider specialization over full-spectrum capability:

Keeping Canada relevant through specialization: Richard Shimooka in War on the Rocks | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Canada’s military is in a dire state after decades of neglect - unless serious corrective action is taken, Canada will slide further into irrelevance.

What would amnesty for undocumented migrants mean for Canada?

David L. Thomas explores the potential fallout, from increased illegal immigration to the erosion of trust in our system:

A blanket amnesty for illegal migrants would be a disaster for Canada: David L. Thomas for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The prospect of a general amnesty for illegals in Canada will be the final straw. How can there be any shred of integrity left in our immigration system if we reward those who broke the rules?

According to Daniel Dorman, if the federal government plans to meddle directly in the housing sector, it must understand that Canadians simply need more houses, fast.

"We won’t get there without a more productive construction industry."

Why can’t Canada build more homes?: Daniel Dorman in National Newswatch | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The housing crisis in Canada is going from bad to worse.

"It’s bad enough to see Canada’s flagship film festival platforming Trofimova’s film," writes Aaron Burnett.

"But Canadians cannot get back the minimum $340,000 in taxpayer funds Trofimova received to make this movie."

Parliament must investigate shameful public funding for Russian propaganda film: Aaron Gasch Burnett for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Protests, condemnations, and cancellations of Russians at War are important – but not nearly enough when taxpayer money went to Russian disinformation. Canadian politicians must act.

"Across the Western world, a growing discontent is undermining free expression & open inquiry, replaced by groupthink & censorship in the name of political activism," writes Peter Copeland.

Free inquiry is vital to preserving our intellectual and cultural heritage: Peter Copeland for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute To preserve freedom in our institutions, we must revisit its true meaning.

"Canadians cannot continue to ignore the threat of Russian information & influence operations," warns Marcus Kolga.

"These are deliberate acts that are designed to advance the Kremlin’s interests and destabilize and discredit our democracy."

We ignore Russian influence at our peril: Marcus Kolga in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The tentacles of oligarchs and agents have penetrated deep into Canadian business, politics, and society.

"Only a resounding Hamas defeat backed by the West can persuade Iran that its grisly agenda stands no chance of success." - Tzvi Kahn

Hamas murder of Israeli Hostages threatens Canadian interests: Tzvi Kahn for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute Only a resounding Hamas defeat backed by the West can persuade Iran that its grisly agenda stands no chance of success.

is a designated organization that has repeatedly violated international law with no regard for human life.

Calling them reliable? That’s madness @ The Globe and Mail:

Join us tomorrow for a crucial webinar on China’s expanding influence in Afghanistan!

Jonathan B. Miller and Khalid Ramizy discuss how the withdrawal from Afghanistan created a power vacuum, allowing China step in, threatening global security:

Authoritarian Alliances in Afghanistan: How China is strengthening the Taliban regime while undermining liberal democracy - Macdonald-Laurier Institute Our experts will examine the threats to global security and democracy, and discuss how Canada and the international community can respond to the challenges emanating from Afghanistan.

"The ongoing war between Hamas & Israel seems to have inspired a resurgence of jihadi-motivated terrorism against the West," argues John Gilmour.

"Canada’s national security & law enforcement agencies will need to remain vigilant."

Has the Hamas-Israel war revived the spectre of jihadist terrorism in Canada?: John Gilmour for Inside Policy | Macdonald-Laurier Institute By John Gilmour, September 11, 2024 When jihadist terrorists hijacked civilian airliners and slammed them into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on Is the Gaza conflict fuelling the sudden flaring of jihadist-motivated terrorism with Canadian connections?

"Canada has become a destination of choice for violent Islamist extremists & sympathizers," warns Joe Adam George.

"The time to sensibly tighten our immigration policy & resource our national security apparatus is now."

Canada still hasn't learned from the 9/11 attacks: Joe Adam George in the National Post | Macdonald-Laurier Institute The time to sensibly tighten our immigration policy and resource our national security apparatus is now.