Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan, policy research institute
in Canada
that leans to the political left. It concentrates on economic policy, international trade, environmental justice and social policy. It is especially known for publishing an alternative federal budget on an annual basis. The CCPA claims that its estimates of budgetary surpluses have consistently been more accurate than those of the government. The CCPA has charitable status. The CCPA is based in Ottawa
but has branch offices in Vancouver
, Winnipeg, Regina
, and Halifax
. It is funded primarily through individual donations, but also receives research grants, and has institutional support from trade unions.
The CCPA has recently launched a new research and public awareness campaign called the Growing Gap http://www.growinggap.ca. Its research claims to demonstrate the growth of income inequality in Canada and offer solutions.
The CCPA was founded in Ottawa in 1980 by a group of largely Carleton University professors who wished to re-create something akin to the League for Social Reconstruction which in the inter-war period had promoted social, economic, and political change for Canada. Michael Kelway Oliver, a former professor of Political Science at McGill and President of Carleton University was the first CCPA president. He was succeeded by Peter Findlay, a professor of Social Work at Carleton. In 1987 Duncan Cameron, then at the University of Ottawa, became president; he was succeeded by Larry Brown, NUPGE Secretary Treasurer, in 2000.
The CCPA began with funding from trade unions and individual members. The first Executive Director was Robert Clark
, who was succeeded by Jim Davidson, and then Sandra Sorensen. Bruce Campbell is the current Executive Director.
In 1997 the CCPA opened its Vancouver office with Seth Klein as B.C. Director. This was followed by Winnipeg, Regina, and Halifax.
The CCPA publishes books, research studies, reports, and distributes media commentaries. Its flagship publication is the CCPA Monitor edited by Ed Finn
.
Initially housed at 251 Laurier West in Ottawa, the national office is now at 75 Albert St. From modest beginnings, an operating budget of $125,000, and a full-time staff of two, the CCPA began to grow in the late 1980s until today it has a multi-million dollar budget and a staff of over 20.
Source: CCPA
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that leans to the political left. It concentrates on economic policy, international trade, environmental justice and social policy. It is especially known for publishing an alternative federal budget on an annual basis. The CCPA claims that its estimates of budgetary surpluses have consistently been more accurate than those of the government. The CCPA has charitable status. The CCPA is based in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
but has branch offices in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Winnipeg, Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, and Halifax
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...
. It is funded primarily through individual donations, but also receives research grants, and has institutional support from trade unions.
The CCPA has recently launched a new research and public awareness campaign called the Growing Gap http://www.growinggap.ca. Its research claims to demonstrate the growth of income inequality in Canada and offer solutions.
The CCPA was founded in Ottawa in 1980 by a group of largely Carleton University professors who wished to re-create something akin to the League for Social Reconstruction which in the inter-war period had promoted social, economic, and political change for Canada. Michael Kelway Oliver, a former professor of Political Science at McGill and President of Carleton University was the first CCPA president. He was succeeded by Peter Findlay, a professor of Social Work at Carleton. In 1987 Duncan Cameron, then at the University of Ottawa, became president; he was succeeded by Larry Brown, NUPGE Secretary Treasurer, in 2000.
The CCPA began with funding from trade unions and individual members. The first Executive Director was Robert Clark
Robert Clark
Robert Clark may refer to:*Robert Clark , American-born Canadian television actor*Robert Clark , American football player...
, who was succeeded by Jim Davidson, and then Sandra Sorensen. Bruce Campbell is the current Executive Director.
In 1997 the CCPA opened its Vancouver office with Seth Klein as B.C. Director. This was followed by Winnipeg, Regina, and Halifax.
The CCPA publishes books, research studies, reports, and distributes media commentaries. Its flagship publication is the CCPA Monitor edited by Ed Finn
Ed Finn
Edward Finn, Jr. is a Canadian trade unionist and journalist, editor, author and former Newfoundland politician. He was the leader of the Newfoundland Democratic Party and the first leader of the Newfoundland New Democratic Party....
.
Initially housed at 251 Laurier West in Ottawa, the national office is now at 75 Albert St. From modest beginnings, an operating budget of $125,000, and a full-time staff of two, the CCPA began to grow in the late 1980s until today it has a multi-million dollar budget and a staff of over 20.
Source: CCPA