Canada’s ability to develop its natural resources -- and not just fossil fuels -- is now so seriously constrained that we must ask: Can we get anything done in this sector on a timely basis? A once and future pillar of the Canadian economy, natural resource projects of which the Kinder-Morgan pipeline project is the most obvious example, face obstacles that do not exist to the same extent in countries competing with Canada. These include: increasing regulatory complexities, inter-provincial bickering, opaque court rulings, NGO activism, “social license” however defined, and First Nations who assert rights up to and including veto over projects. Governance, in short, has broken down in this vital area.
Jeffrey Simpson, an Officer of the Order of Canada, was The Globe and Mail’s national affairs columnist during which time he wrote about almost all the major Canadian public policy issues, and many international questions. He wrote seven books, one of which won The Governor-General’s award; another, on the Canadian health-care system, won the $50,000 Donner Prize for the best book on public policy. He has received eight honorary degrees, lectured at several dozen universities in Canada and abroad, and is a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Board of Governors of the University of Ottawa. He is a senior fellow at the Graduate School of Policy and International Affairs at that university.
Please note, this lecture will not be video conferenced, but a recording will be available on the website once it’s been edited. There is no cost to attend, but as space is limited, those interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.
Event Details
- When:
- Time:
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST
- Location:
- CB 308, College Avenue Campus, University of Regina
- File:
- Event Communiqué