The assumption within the standard or mainstream economics, that individuals act to maximize their long-term best interest, have stable preferences, and are consistent rational actors has served as a useful benchmark for predicting behavior. This model of human behavior has influenced the design of public policy. Yet, these traditional economic incentives sometimes prove ineffective. The Continue reading "Behavioural Economics and Public Policy"...
Jan 25, 2018
This is the third episode of the BTH Insight Series, where we examine various policy topics within the hour. Topics discussed include energy governance, elections and not-for-profits and their role in their social procurement. United Way Social Procurement As the largest non-governmental supporter of social services in the region, United Way Toronto & York Region has Continue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 3: United Way Social Procurement, the Ontario Election and Energy Governance"...
Jan 18, 2018
The holiday season can be a period of warmth for friends and family: the images of chestnuts roasting around the fireplace; the gift-giving rituals to loved ones in our lives; the celebratory end to another year as we set new goals for us to reach in the upcoming one. However, for others in Canada, Continue reading "Social Services in the Holidays"
Dec 20, 2017
The Government of Canada’s recent announcement of an Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee has reaffirmed the unique political predicament the Inuit peoples of Canada face. It is paramount that the reconciliatory endeavors of the Canadian government recognize and are sensitive to that uniqueness. As well as contending with a host of issues felt broadly by the Continue reading "Inuit Reconciliation and Self-Governance"...
Dec 13, 2017
This show is part 2 to the previous show on Affordable Housing and Homelessness about the landscape of affordable housing and homelessness in Canada and some of the policy responses taking place from all levels of government and community organizations. It comes as no surprise that the nation has a housing crisis in Continue reading "Affordable Housing and the National Strategy"
Dec 07, 2017
This is the second episode of the BTH Insight Series, where we examine various policy topics within the hour. On today’s show, we discuss the barriers Canadian women face in accessing the abortion pill Myfegimiso, the public security, safety, and privacy implications of cryptography, and the labour market barriers faced by people living with Continue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 2: Cryptography, Abortion Access and Disability Rights in the Labour Market"...
Nov 30, 2017
This is part 2 of a 2 part series. On our last show about abortion access barriers in Canada, we provided listeners with an on the ground look by talking to non-profit organizations and activists to see how accessing abortion is still an issue in Canada. This week, we take a bit of a Continue reading "Abortion Access Barriers Part 2"
Nov 23, 2017
The election of Donald Trump has brought renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement to the forefront of Canada’s trade priorities. Discussions have ranged from our agricultural supply regimes to tariffs, but one potentially transformative aspect relates to digital rights. NAFTA, which came into force in January of 1994, was the first international Continue reading "NAFTA in the Digital Era"...
Nov 16, 2017
The significant growth in LGBTQ rights organizations around the world has led to advances in LGBTQ rights and calls for further changes. However, there has also been increase in systemic discrimination and violence against LGBTQ populations in certain regions around the world. It is illegal to be gay in over 75 countries around the Continue reading "Rainbow Refuge: LGBTQ Refugees in Canada"...
Nov 08, 2017
How do we decide when the occult and the paranormal are real or fake? Is that the place of the criminal justice system? When do we deem someone’s religious practises “authentic”? Today, to discuss witchcraft legislation, social stigma and bill-C51, we will be joined by criminal defence attorney Jordan Palmer and tarot card reader Vanessa Robak. We will Continue reading "Witchcraft and Zombie Laws"
Oct 31, 2017
This week’s show is about affordable housing and homelessness in Ontario, the GTA, and across the country. The nation is currently in a housing crisis as the housing market lacks supply of social and affordable housing. The costs of living in cities across Canada for shelter and basic necessities is steady increasing. Additionally, Continue reading "Housing and Homelessness"
Oct 18, 2017
This week’s show is the first episode of the Insight Series, a new BTH series where we discuss seveal different policy areas within the hour. 1) Health Innovation Follow-up: In the first episode of the season, BTH examined how innovation can help to improve supply management of hospitals and Canada’s health system. Medical error Continue reading "BTH Insight Series Ep. 1: City Hall Reform & Health Innovation"...
Oct 05, 2017
In 1988, abortion was legalized in R. v Morgentaler, which said that the abortion provisions in place at the time were unconstitutional as they violated a woman’s right to security of person under section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Currently, abortion is funded by the Canada Health Act, yet how provinces Continue reading "Abortion Access Barriers"
Sep 28, 2017
Performance of North American healthcare systems lag woefully behind other OECD countries. Patient safety is a particular challenge. Every year 70,000 Canadians experience preventable, serious injury while hospitalized and 23 000 of those individuals do not survive that injury. Furthermore, medical error is now the third leading cause of death in North America behind Continue reading "The New Value Proposition for Health"...
Sep 20, 2017
Child Mortality is a core indicator for child health and well-being. The toll of children under the age of five over the past two decades is staggering: between 1990 and 2015, 236 million children worldwide died before their fifth birthday. In 2000, the world leaders agreed on one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as Continue reading "Child Mortality"
Apr 24, 2017
Toronto has recently been named a ‘major hub’ for human trafficking within Canada. Of all police-reported cases nationwide, 65% occur in Ontario alone. According to a study conducted by the Alliance Against Modern Slavery in 2014, it was estimated that in Canada 71% of human trafficking cases involved domestic sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is defined Continue reading "Sex Trafficking in Canada"
Mar 22, 2017
The Canadian criminal justice system continues to fail the many survivors of sexual assault. For survivors, the experience of seeking help from law enforcement and going to court often deepens their existing wounds and trauma. Despite increased attention, sexual assault conviction rates remain meagre: one in five reports of sexual assault are treated as baseless Continue reading "Sexual Assault and the Judicial System"...
Mar 15, 2017
Since the 45th president of the United States has taken office, there have been unprecedented executive orders, feuds with foreign leaders, and disagreements between the country’s executive and judicial branches. The controversial travel ban targeting 7 countries in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as Mr. Trump’s divisive rhetoric, has led to a Continue reading "Trump: A Canadian Perspective"...
Mar 02, 2017
Food insecurity is a growing issue amongst communities, leaving many Canadians without access to nutritious, affordable, sufficient, and culturally acceptable food. Food insecurity is often linked to poverty, unemployment, education, hunger, as well as environmental pollution. In response, a strategic approach to food is needed to address these issues and an understanding of how the Municipal Continue reading "Food Security Part 2"...
Mar 01, 2017
Ontario is facing a spike in opioid related overdoses as a result of what many experts outline as an increase in opioid prescribing over the past few decades. Reports have stated that one in eight deaths of Ontarians between the ages of 25 and 34 is related to opioid use, and Toronto has seen a 77 percent increase Continue reading "Opioid Crisis in Ontario"
Feb 01, 2017
