Max Bell School of Public Policy - MPP student & alumni news

Aftab Ahmed on Canada's Smart Regulation for Competition and Innovation | Policy Options

91�� — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:09:10 +0000

July 18, 2024 | Alumnus Aftab Ahmed MPP'23 wrote an article that explores strategies to reinvigorate Canada's entrepreneurial landscape through smart regulatory reforms on Policy Options. "Regulatory sandboxes provide a controlled space for businesses to test new technologies without immediate regulatory burdens," writes Aftab. The use of artificial intelligence and emerging tech could streamline regulatory processes, making compliance easier and more efficient.

Anil Wasif on Revival of Bangladesh during UNGA meetings | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 17:49:14 +0000

September 23, 2024 | Alumnus Anil Wasif MPP'21 wrote about the revival of Bangladesh during the current UN General Assembly in New York. "Yunus’ return to the international stage at the UNGA symbolizes a significant moment of reputational redemption after he endured over a decade of politically motivated legal harassment under Sheikh Hasina’s government," wrote Anil. Yunus and Biden’s talks may very well open doors for deeper economic collaboration.

Aftab Ahmed on Challenging Asia's Great Power Influence | Policy Magazine

91�� — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 17:55:16 +0000

September 3, 2024 | Alumnus Aftab Ahmed MPP'23 wrote about the challenging influence of India in the regional Asian subcontinent given the current political environment of Bangladesh. He explains how India's heavy-handed foreign policy has fueled the crisis in Bangladesh and strained its relationships with other neighbouring countries.

Anil Wasif on Bangladesh's Current Political Upheaval | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:00:24 +0000

July 24, 2024 | Our alumni, Anil Wasif, from the MPP Cohort of 2020-21, who also sits on the advisory board of the Max Bell School of Public Policy wrote an article on the current upheaval in Bangladesh. "The past week’s events in Bangladesh, where nearly 200 people have lost their lives in a violent crackdown on student-led protests, is just the latest reminder of the underlying social and political issues plaguing Bangladeshi society.

Tackling the Negative Implications of a Less-Cash Society | CBC News

91�� — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 13:52:54 +0000

June 30, 2024 | The digital brigade, powered by e-transfers, PayPal and Apple Pay, has gained unprecedented momentum. This is leading towards a cashless society, as Canadians tend to embrace electronic methods of payments. However, cash holds many significance in the social and economic realm. CBC News featured one of our MPP alum, Aftab Ahmed for their news article about the harm of leaping towards the cashless Canadian economy.

Alumna Henna Hundal on Climate Activity

91�� — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 15:56:11 +0000

Our alumna, Henna Hundal, from the MPP Cohort of 2020-21, has been making significant contributions to climate change advocacy. Henna has been featured prominently in the media, addressing urgent environmental issues. As a delegate to the U.N. Climate Change Conferences, she recently discussed the influence of Big Oil on climate policy in an interview with CNN's John Vause, following the U.N.

Protecting our Privacy: Strengthening Accountability for Public Surveillance | Policy Magazine

91�� — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:24:39 +0000

May 8, 2024 | In Policy Magazine’s Emerging Voices series each year, Max Bell School MPPs are asked to write articles on issues important to them. In the fifth article for 2024, Asha Sivarajah underscores the importance of safeguarding privacy rights while ensuring transparency and accountability in public institutions' use of surveillance technologies.

How do Infrastructure Costs affect Housing Affordability? | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 07 May 2024 14:18:44 +0000

May 2, 2024 | In Policy Magazine’s Emerging Voices series each year, Max Bell School MPPs are asked to write articles on issues important to them. In the fourth article for 2024, Ian Lupton explains the need for a Canadian National Infrastructure Assessment for strengthening the nation’s housing crisis, by supporting a broad range of economic, social and environmental policy objectives. Ian has experience in legislative, provincial, and municipal governments in Canada and the US, and is passionate about utilizing public policy to enhance citizens' daily lives.

Abdelrahman Sherif on the Hot Cities of the World Tour | PBS Mountain Lake

91�� — Thu, 02 May 2024 20:24:49 +0000

April 26, 2024 | Abdelrahman Sherif, born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, is part of the fifth cohort of MPPs. His expertise in management consulting has allowed him to make significant contributions to a diverse array of transformational and strategic projects, providing firsthand insight into the impact of public policy in the MENA Region.

Should Canadians be Concerned About Corporate Concentration Levels? | Policy Magazine

91�� — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:25:54 +0000

April 23, 2024 | In Policy Magazine's Emerging Voices series each year, Max Bell School MPPs are invited to write articles on issues important to them. In the third article for 2024, Abdul-Hakim Fuseini underscores the importance incentivizing small businesses for a greater Canadian economy growth. Abdul-Hakim previously taught and conducted research in finance, accounting and auditing at the University of Ghana Business School.

Canada Doesn’t Have a Citizens Budget. It Should. | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:20:06 +0000

April 14, 2024 | In Policy Magazine's Emerging Voices series each year, Max Bell School MPPs are invited to write articles on issues important to them.

Budget 2024: Canadians Need a National Flood Insurance Program | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:09:52 +0000

April 11, 2024 | In Policy Magazine's Emerging Voices series each year, Max Bell School MPPs are invited to write articles on issues important to them. In the first article for 2024, Leah Brodovsky underscores the pressing need for a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as natural disasters, particularly flooding, become increasingly common and costly due to climate change. Leah Brodovsky is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91��. Leah holds a BSc. Honours Food Science from the University of Guelph.

The Case for a Pan-Canadian Teleradiology Network | Policy Magazine

91�� — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 18:46:08 +0000

December 6, 2023 | This op-ed by recent MPP graduate, Aftab Ahmed, is based on the policy titled “Enhancing Access to Diagnostic Imaging: A Proposal for a Pan-Canadian and Interoperable Teleradiology Network” written by our MPP graduates Aftab Ahmed, Anmol Gupta and Harshini Ramesh.

This op-ed delves into the potential of expanding and coordinating teleradiology services across Canadian provinces and territories to shorten wait times for diagnostic imaging services like CT scans and MRIs,

Kamala Harris set to attend global climate conference in Dubai | CNN

91�� — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 15:59:39 +0000

December 2, 2023 | Kim Brunhuber speaks with MPP alumni Henna Hundal, a delegate to the U.N. Climate Change Conference, about what to expect from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the COP28 climate conference.

She also talks about COP28 being the first climate conference to have a dedicated day for health effects of climate change.

Health sector corruption in the times of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: Newspapers as mirrors of society | Elsevier

91�� — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:35:24 +0000

November 21, 2023 | Raihana S. Kamal, a Master of Public Policy student at the Max Bell School of Public Policy, was a co-author published on Elsevier. Her research paper conducted a comprehensive analysis of health-sector corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh using print media sources from March 2020 to March 2021. The study revealed corruption in every aspect of the health system during COVID-19. The media's role in uncovering these issues emphasized the urgency for transparency to ease the plight of patients and healthcare providers.

An online safety bill in Canada: time to get on with it already | The Hill Times

91�� — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:10:53 +0000

October 25, 2023 | This piece by MPP Alumnus Phaedra de Saint-Rome,highlights Canada's limited efforts in trying to publish a bill addressing online safety since 2020 and not having one in place to this day. The article provides a timeline of the same bill in the European Union and Australia and shows how other government around the world have been able to take action regarding online safety and harms.

"Canadian youth are at greater risk online than their peers in much of the democratic world because our federal government won't table a long-promised bill" said Phaedra.

Alberta university student association calls for government supports in wake of sexual violence report | Edmonton Journal

91�� — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 16:07:52 +0000

August 30, 2023 | The Council of Alberta University Students is demanding more government action in the wake of a survey suggesting 50% of respondents have experienced some form of sexual or gender-based violence as a post-secondary student. Executive director and Max Bell School graduate Alexandra Ages said she is exited with working with the ministry on next steps.

From Rhetoric to Reality: Bridging the Gap in Indigenous Justice Initiatives | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:23:23 +0000

Can the Liberal government’s Indigenous Justice Strategy catalyze a new era of transformative reconciliation? The ball is in Justice Minister Arif Virani’s court.

Canada urgently needs to increase housing supply and transitional supports for veterans | The Globe and Mail

91�� — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:13:14 +0000

August 1, 2023 | The article in The Globe and Mail provides highlights from the report created by Taylor Chase, Alison Clement, Sandrine Desforges and Anmol Gupta for Canada’s Federal Housing Advocate as part of the Policy Lab 2023. There is a lack of leadership when it comes to veteran housing, which is split between several federal departments with no central co-ordination. They also warn that the federal government does not have a clear picture of the problem because it is not adequately tracking veterans and their housing status.

A Non-Specialist Treatment Model for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Canadian Carceral Settings: A Telemedical Focus | MGHJ

91�� — Tue, 23 May 2023 19:09:36 +0000

May 12, 2023 | Julian Lam, a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Max Bell School of Public Policy, was one of the authors that were featured in the 91�� Journal of Global Health. His article highlighted a non-specialist treatment model for Hepatitis C virus in Canada. Despite being a high prevalence context, Canadian corrections facilities have largely failed to provide adequate care for those with HCV due to their reliance on traditional treatment models.

From Boomers to Green Jobs: Navigating Canada’s Demographic Transition | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 23 May 2023 18:18:28 +0000

May 15, 2023 | Aftab Ahmed reflected on navigating Canada's demographic transition, where the realities of the aging population coincide with an urgent need to transition toward a green economy. Aftab Ahmed is a Masters of Public Policy candidate with the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91��.

Building Forward: Learning from Australia's Infrastructure Lessons | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 09 May 2023 18:55:09 +0000

May 8, 2023 | Anil Wasif, Senior Economist with the Ontario Government, wrote that the recent announcement of a comprehensive review of hundreds of Australian infrastructure projects should serve as a cautionary tale for Canada. He has stated that Canada faces similar pressures on its infrastructure pipeline due to various factors, such as a shortage of care facilities for the ageing population. Anil Wasif is a member of the Advisory Board for the Max Bell School of Public Policy and the Founding Director of Strategy for BacharLorai, a Canadian Social Impact Agency.

The future of AI governance a balancing act of privacy, ethics, and progress | The Hill Times

91�� — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 15:29:07 +0000

March 16, 2023 | Master of Public Policy Candidate Aftab Ahmed, wrote about the innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne recently launching the second phase of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy. Ottawa’s attempts to frame the ‘rules of the game’ for its digital economy is commendable, and the U.S. should be observing and emulating this approach. He said "Let me be clear: technology is not the enemy. Novel innovations can undeniably act as positive economic disruptors."

Building Mental Health Policies into All Policies

91�� — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:57:21 +0000

March 6, 2023 | MPP Candidate, Sandrine Desforges, wrote an article on integrating mental health in all policies (MHIAP). She wrote that this approach would seek to promote mental health and well-being by expanding the scope of the efforts dedicated to improving population mental health to all policies. She also added that a MHIAP approach would require all sectors to take into account the potential mental health implications of all decisions.

Assessing the Impact of Canada's Feminist Foreign Assistance | Policy Magazine

91�� — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 20:04:14 +0000

February 14, 2023 | Following Kevin Page's complexity seminar, Caroline Wilson wrote about the Canadian government making a significant shift in the right direction in terms of their commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment. She also mentioned that the method of application of policies has to be justified in the program monitoring and evaluation phases. Caroline Wilson is a Master of Public Policy candidate at 91��.

Reforming the United Nations: How Canada Can Lead on Human Rights | Policy Magazine

91�� — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:19:33 +0000

February 9, 2023 | Following Kevin Page's complexity seminar, Elisa Alloul wrote about how the lack of accountability on how gross human rights abusers have joined UN bodies is hurting the UN's legitimacy and credibility. Elisa Alloul is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91��.

Making Canada's Foreign Assistance More Accessible and Transparent | Policy Magazine

91�� — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:07:07 +0000

February 7, 2023 | In an ongoing conversation about the significant global challenges today from climate change to the war in Ukraine following Kevin Page's complexity seminar, Alison Clement wrote about these challenges requiring strong, united responses from the world's leading democracies. Alison Clement is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91��.

Transparency in the World Cup: Canada Should Lead by Example | Policy Magazine

91�� — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:17:40 +0000

February 7, 2023| Following Kevin Page's Complexity Seminar, Aftab Ahmed reflected on the country's reputation for shaping and adhering to international norms being on the line when Canada co-hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Aftab Ahmed is a Masters of Public Policy candidate with the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91��.

Building National Pharmacare on a Flawed Foundation | Policy Magazine

91�� — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:50:19 +0000

February 6, 2023 | As Canada sets forth to build a national pharmacare plan, following Kevin Page's Complexity Seminar, MPP candidate Anmol Gupta wrote this op-ed to address the need to reflect on the performance of the public system before it's expanded to cover all Canadians. Anmol is a Master of Public Policy Candidate at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91�� and a Doctor of Medicine candidate in the United States .

Which path do we want to be on? | The Daily Star

91�� — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:29:48 +0000

January 12, 2023 | Aftabuddin Ahmed, a current MPP student, stated that this year will define whether Bangladesh can preserve its institutional ambitions towards being a liberal democracy. This brand of political illiberalism, methodically and deliberately camouflaged by ruling elites under the aegis of economic growth, indicated that there is enough apprehension surrounding Bangladesh signing a death warrant for democratic practices.

Hockey Canada scandal is not an isolated event. Forceful government action is past due | CBC Opinion

91�� — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 17:36:21 +0000

November 11, 2022 | In the opinion column by Alison Clement and Sandrine Desforges, Master of Public Policy candidates at the Max Bell School of Public Policy, they talk about the news of Hockey Canada using 7.6 million dollars from a reserve fund of registration fees to cover nine sexual assault or abuse claims. An aditional 1.3 million dollars was paid through Hockey Canada's insurance to settle

Embracing "Strategic Clarity" on Taiwan | It was always burning

91�� — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 16:34:40 +0000

November 11, 2022 | In the face of an increasingly bellicose China buttressed by its mighty economic and military strengths, Washington’s “strategic ambiguity” has become insufficient to pre-empt China’s ambitions. A shift towards "strategic clarity" could pave the way to deter Chinese aggression in the region, provided it remains subtle and is carefully managed, Pangying Peng says.

Canada's national security institutions have fallen woefully behind | Policy Options

91�� — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:56:47 +0000

November 3, 2022 | The article, written by MPP Candidate Jack Burnham, was based on a discussion held in 91�� which focused on " The future of national security in the world of the "n-block war." Panelists included Jennifer Welsh, Ali Dizboni and Vincent Rigby, while the panel was moderated by

The Role of Energy Transition in Addressing Climate Change | Policy Magazine

91�� — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 00:11:30 +0000

August 4, 2022 | In an ongoing conversation about the role of energy transition in addressing climate change since the end of Kevin Page's Complexity Seminar, MPP alumnus Umer Farooq wrote this op-ed in collaboration with Page. Umer is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91��. He has a Doctorate in Engineering.

A Plea for Greening Canada’s Housing Policy | Policy Magazine

91�� — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 14:11:07 +0000