Public Policy Forum

Policy Leadership Program - Public Policy Forum PPF and Telfer Executive Programs have joined forces and leveraged our individual strengths to enhance your understanding of current and emerging policy challenges while developing the leadership skil...

Dive into engaging discussions, hands-on exercises, and expert-led insights informed by current policy portfolios. Secure your spot for the Policy Leadership Program today:

Are you an executive in the public service seeking to improve your leadership skills?

The Policy Leadership Program, offered in Ottawa in partnership with @uottawa.ca’s Telfer Executive Programs, is back in January and February 2026 for its 10th edition.

Annual Testimonial Dinner 2026 - Public Policy Forum Each year at the PPF's Testimonial Dinner in Toronto, more than 1,100 leaders and policy wonks from all sectors of society gather to pay tribute to distinguished Canadians who have made outstanding co...

Hundreds of leaders and policymakers will gather on May 7, 2026 to pay tribute to Dickinson, as well as other honourees to be announced soon.

➡️ Register now to join us for the evening at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto:

Arlene Dickinson — 2026 Testimonial Dinner Award Honouree - PPF Dragon’s Den star, venture capitalist and author Arlene Dickinson is using her fame to weigh in on Canada’s challenging political moment.

🏆 We are thrilled to announce that @arlenedickinson.bsky.social will be an honouree at PPF’s #TestimonialDinner2026.

“We need to unleash the power of the entrepreneurial spirit, the entrepreneurial innovation and the entrepreneurial courage,” Dickinson told PPF in an interview.

Read more:

Why Canada’s economy needs more competition  - Public Policy Forum This Policy Brief is published under the umbrella of Mission Canada, PPF’s response to the increasingly tumultuous geopolitical environment that threatens Canada’s economic growth and sovereignty. Und...

Plus: Our latest policy brief, written by competition expert @robin-shaban.bsky.social explores why competition policy is the infrastructure of a successful economy — and why bold reform is needed now.

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum Competition Commissioner Matthew Boswell on Canada’s Fight to Boost Competition | WONK

When it comes to building a healthy economy, the rules of the game matter — and few are more important than our competition laws.

This week on WONK is Canada’s Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell, who joins us to talk about ongoing efforts to improve competition and the challenges ahead:

What the next major projects list needs - Public Policy Forum As Canadians count down to Grey Cup Sunday, another much-anticipated lineup will take the field earlier in the week. On Thursday, the federal government will unveil its latest list of major nation-bui...

Strategic outcomes must guide the federal government’s next tranche of major nation-building projects, writes PPF’s Senior Executive Advisor, Energy, Yiota Kokkinos.

Read the full op-ed:

We’re pleased to welcome Lili Johanis to the Public Policy Forum as Program Lead, PPF Academy.

Welcome to PPF, Lili!

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Nous sommes heureux d'accueillir Lili Johanis au Forum des politiques publiques en tant que chargée de programmes, École du FPP.

Bienvenue chez le FPP, Lili !

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum Princeton Research Scholar Fara Dabhoiwala on the Meaning of Free Speech | WONK

On PPF’s podcast WONK, senior research scholar at @princeton.edu Fara Dabhoiwala talks to host Amanda Lang about his book “What is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea.”

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube now. ⬇️

Opinion: To build big things, we must build the builders Major projects on Canada’s national list will require tens of thousands of skilled workers over the next decade, which calls for an ambitious talent agenda

In case you missed it ⬇️

“In our drive to build big things, we’re going to have to build big talent, too,” write Zabeen Hirji, PPF’s President & CEO Inez Jabalpurwala and @collegecan.bsky.social President & CEO @parijohnston.bsky.social in @theglobeandmail.com.

AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Public Policy Forum Mila – Quebec AI Institute and PPF Academy are offering a joint learning program, AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The program is designed to ...

Join us in Ottawa in March 2026 for the next edition of the AI Policy Compass. Register early or learn more about the program here:

Thank you to our engaged participants — spanning government, private and non-profit sectors — for making the 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of PPF & @mila-quebec.bsky.social’s AI Policy Compass our most action-oriented yet.

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum The Big Budget Issues: Panel with Armine Yalnizyan and Sean Speer | WONK

This week on WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to economist @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social and Conservative thinker Sean Speer about huge budget pressures, tariff fallout and how to fortify the economy.

⬇️ Watch the full episode on YouTube — or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Managing Canada’s interests under Trump 2.0 - Public Policy Forum A Workshop to Enhance Public Service Workflows with AI

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from leaders shaping Canada’s response to today’s global challenges and emerge with strategies and tactics to advance your own work.

🔗 Registration closes Friday! Register now:

Meet two of the expert voices joining us for Managing Canada’s Interests Under Trump 2.0 — a one-day intensive learning program designed to help policy and program professionals navigate the turbulent Canada-U.S. relationship.

🗓️ November 13 | Ottawa

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum Economist Stéfane Marion on Canada’s Investment Crisis: Full Interview | WONK

This week on WONK, National Bank’s Chief Economist Stéfane Marion joins Amanda Lang to talk about the fall of Canadian manufacturing and how to fix it.

⬇️ Listen to WONK wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full episode on YouTube now:

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum David Frum on How Tariffs Will Hurt the U.S. Economy: Full Interview | WONK

New on WONK 🎙️ Host Amanda Lang talks to The Atlantic’s @davidfrum.bsky.social about America’s looming economic problem, why the current U.S. administration needs #tariffs and how Canada should respond to the threat.

AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Public Policy Forum Mila – Quebec AI Institute and PPF Academy are offering a joint learning program, AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The program is designed to ...

Last chance to register! Reserve your spot here:

From agentic #AI to global governance, four incredible speakers bring diverse expertise and real-world experience to the AI Policy Compass, our flagship learning program for policy professionals.

📍 Ottawa | October 23-24

@mila-quebec.bsky.social

AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Public Policy Forum Mila – Quebec AI Institute and PPF Academy are offering a joint learning program, AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The program is designed to ...

We hope you will join us for our upcoming edition of this unique program, offered in partnership with @mila-quebec.bsky.social, October 23-24 in Ottawa.

➡️ Register here:

Become a leader in AI governance: Register today for PPF Academy’s upcoming edition of the AI Policy Compass!

This hands-on learning program offers participants a deep dive into the risks, opportunities and applications of #AI in public policy settings.

Managing Canada’s interests under Trump 2.0 - Public Policy Forum A Workshop to Enhance Public Service Workflows with AI

Whether it’s on #trade negotiations or other forms of collaboration with the U.S., policy and program leaders across sectors have had to rethink their approaches.

Join us on November 13 in Ottawa for the next edition of our one-day bootcamp, Managing Canada’s Interests Under Trump 2.0:

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum The Fight to Save Kids From Social Media: Interview with Ava Smithing | WONK

In case you missed the latest episode of WONK: Host Amanda Lang talks to Ava Smithing, advocacy director of the Young People's Alliance, about social media algorithms, advice for parents and taking on #tech platforms.

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Public Policy Forum Mila – Quebec AI Institute and PPF Academy are offering a joint learning program, AI Policy Compass: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The program is designed to ...

The next session launches October 23 and 24 in Ottawa. Secure your spot today or learn more here:

AI is reshaping public policy. How can leaders use it responsibly?

Participants of the AI Policy Compass — offered jointly with @mila-quebec.bsky.social — leave with clear, actionable next steps to bring back to their organizations.

Congratulations to our partners at @hotdocs.bsky.social on the successful Ottawa premiere of #CitizenMinutes last week! 🎬

We’re proud to have supported showcase of everyday Canadians driving change from the ground up, reminding us of the power of individual action in shaping our democracy.

PPF's Annual Testimonial Dinner Honour Roll 2024 Each year at the PPF’s Testimonial Dinner in Toronto, more than 1,100 leaders and policy wonks from all sectors of society gather to pay tribute to distinguished Canadians who have made outstanding co...

Save 10 percent on tickets with our combined ticket offer. Register here:

⏳ Early bird ends tomorrow! Don’t miss your chance to secure discounted tickets for the biggest events on Canada’s policy calendar.

On May 7, leaders, innovators and changemakers will gather in Toronto for the 2026 Growth Summit, followed by the Testimonial Dinner.

YouTube video by Public Policy Forum The Fight to Save Kids From Social Media: Interview with Ava Smithing | WONK

This week on WONK 🎙️

Host Amanda Lang talks to Ava Smithing of the Young People’s Alliance about the addictiveness of social media, holding #tech firms accountable and her advice for parents struggling to keep up.

Watch the full episode, now available on YouTube. ⬇️

Life Sciences Forum - Public Policy Forum It is clear that investments are needed now to ensure the country’s health security, as Canada recovers from COVID-19 and its effects.

🔗 Learn more about our project partners — and find out how your organization can get involved with the Life Sciences Forum: