The Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP; ) is an independent, national, bilingual, not-for-profit organization based in Montreal, Quebec. Its mission is to "improve public policy in Canada by generating research, providing insight and informing debate on current and emerging policy issues facing Canadians and their governments." It publishes peer-reviewed research and acts as a convenor of policy debates by organizing conferences, round tables and panel discussions among stakeholders, academics, policymakers and the general public. It is also the publisher of Policy Options magazine and the home of the Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation.

The institute's current research agenda focuses on several issues including Canadian federalism and intergovernmental affairs, affordability, income support, industrial policy, skills and training, and community transformations.

The IRPP was created as a result of a commitment the government of Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau made in a Speech from the Throne in 1968 to establish an "independent and autonomous" institute for public policy research, whose work would be "available to all governments.

The IRPP is financed by an endowment fund, to which federal and provincial governments and the private sector contributed in the early 1970s. The Institute is a registered charity under the Income Tax Act, and is incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act.

The research agenda defined by its second president, Michael Kirby, aimed to conduct research "where existing policies were inadequate, where the need for change was recognized and where other institutions could not satisfy the need."

Past chairs of the board:

  • Anne McClellan
  • Graham W. S. Scott (2012–2018)
  • Janice MacKinnon (2006–2012)
  • Bob Rae (2001–2006)
  • Peter White (1997–2001)
  • Donald S. Macdonald (1992–1997)
  • Roger Charbonneau (1988–1992)
  • Robert Stanfield (1981–1988)
  • John Aird (1974–1981)

Presidents are selected by the board of directors. Jennifer Ditchburn has been president and CEO since 2021. According to former acting secretary Peter Dobell, the IRPP's non-partisan position aims to "let the research speak for itself." while a report prepared by George Fetherling for the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership describes the Institute as centre-right.

Academic Evert Lindquist describes the IRPP as "Canada's equivalent to the Brookings Institution." According to Lindquist, the Institute is generally perceived as a moderate supporter of the market system, free trade and limited government. However, the IRPP is often considered to be slightly to the left because of its links to prominent Liberals and the reformist views expressed in some of its publications.

Regarding the IRPP's plurality, Maclean’s and Globe and Mail journalist Mary Janigan has said that "the reason the IRPP is fabulous is that they allow every idea to enter the fray."

History

Following Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s commitment to establish the Institute, Ronald S. Ritchie was tasked to prepare a study in this direction. His report titled An Institute for Research on Public Policy was submitted to the federal government in December 1969. It touched on questions of financing, governance and the mission of the Institute. In addition, the report proposed the establishment of an endowment fund to ensure the Institute's independence. It also recommended that the Institute seek incorporation as a nonprofit corporation under the direction of a Board of Directors composed of "a small number of distinguished citizens." The magazine also features reports, such as the March 2024 report assessing Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2017 Policy Options regular contributor Tim Caulfield received gold in the Digital Publishing Awards’ Best Blog or Online-Only Column category for his column The Cure. Policy Options was also a silver medalist in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Canadian Online Publishing Awards, in the categories for best blog/column and best podcast.

Les Perreaux is the current editor-in-chief of Policy Options. He began his post in 2021.

Previous editors of the magazine:

  • Jennifer Ditchburn (2016–21)
  • Dan Gardner (2015–16)
  • Bruce Wallace (2012–14)
  • L. Ian MacDonald (2002–12)
  • William Watson (1999-2002)
  • Alfred Leblanc (1994–98)
  • Mathew Horsman (1991–93)
  • Walter Stewart (1987–90)
  • Thomas Worrall Kent (1980–87)

Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation

In 2020, the Institute launched its Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation, a permanent research body “that will build a deeper understanding of Canada as a federal community,” led by Charles Breton. It is financed by a $10 million commitment from the Government of Canada.

References

  • Policy Options
  • Policy.ca - Institute for Research on Public Policy Organization Profile
  • Canada Revenue Agency registered charity information database: Institute for Research on Public Policy