Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)
Encyclopedia
Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN) was a non-profit, non-partisan socio-economic
think tank
based in Ottawa
, Canada
, with a focus on citizen engagement and policy research and analysis.
; and the environment. CPRN also hosted the site JobQuality.ca which provided resources on the quality of jobs in Canada. CPRN produced more than 700 publications which touched on almost all the major socio-economic challenges facing Canada.
According to a federal government external evaulation from 2005, CPRN was "somewhat unique among [Canadian] think tanks" having developed expertise in health, work and social policy "with a special niche in the area of systematic public engagement". In Think Tanks Across Nations, the authors flag CPRN as having had an important interdisciplinary approach to policy research and state that this is "something which...few think tanks ever accomplish." Research from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina states that CPRN had "a major influence on Canadian social policy decision-makers" and was "responsive to the needs of decision-makers in producing policies capable of implementation within short time frames." They further note that CPRN was once Canada's most influential social policy
think tank based on website visibility and influence.
In 2003, CPRN won Carleton University's Kroeger College Award in Public Discourse, in recognition of "excellence in contributing to the quality of public debate in Canada." Dr. Sharon Manson Singer was the most recent President of Canadian Policy Research Networks. The Founder and Past-President of CPRN was Judith Maxwell, who was formerly the Chair of the Economic Council of Canada
.
On October 27, 2009 it was announced that CPRN would close its doors on December 23, 2009 after 15 years of public service, due to lack of government, private and other public funding resources.
On December 23, 2009, CPRN announced that Carleton University
will now house the complete body of CPRN reports and publications in hard copy and all archival materials. The documents will be available for use to the general public, free of charge, at the university library. Carleton University also agreed to host and maintain the CPRN website for seven years after the closure date (to 2017) which will permit electronic access to 15-years of CPRN downloadable reports, free of charge. According to Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President of Carleton University,“Carleton has a long tradition as a leader in groundbreaking public policy research. Serving as the repository of the CPRN archive will guarantee that our students, researchers and the public continue to have access to the significant body of work undertaken by CPRN over the past 15 years.”
Socioeconomics
Socioeconomics or socio-economics or social economics is an umbrella term with different usages. 'Social economics' may refer broadly to the "use of economics in the study of society." More narrowly, contemporary practice considers behavioral interactions of individuals and groups through social...
think tank
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...
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...
, 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...
, with a focus on citizen engagement and policy research and analysis.
History
Founded in 1994, CPRN produced several hundred research documents on a wide variety of public policy issues, including citizenship; diversity and Canadian values; productivity and skills; health and an aging populationPopulation ageing
Population ageing or population aging occurs when the median age of a country or region rises. This happens because of rising life expectancy or declining birth rates. Excepting 18 countries termed 'demographic outliers' by the UN) this process is taking place in every country and region across...
; and the environment. CPRN also hosted the site JobQuality.ca which provided resources on the quality of jobs in Canada. CPRN produced more than 700 publications which touched on almost all the major socio-economic challenges facing Canada.
According to a federal government external evaulation from 2005, CPRN was "somewhat unique among [Canadian] think tanks" having developed expertise in health, work and social policy "with a special niche in the area of systematic public engagement". In Think Tanks Across Nations, the authors flag CPRN as having had an important interdisciplinary approach to policy research and state that this is "something which...few think tanks ever accomplish." Research from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina states that CPRN had "a major influence on Canadian social policy decision-makers" and was "responsive to the needs of decision-makers in producing policies capable of implementation within short time frames." They further note that CPRN was once Canada's most influential social policy
Social policy
Social policy primarily refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is that part of public policy that has to do with social issues...
think tank based on website visibility and influence.
In 2003, CPRN won Carleton University's Kroeger College Award in Public Discourse, in recognition of "excellence in contributing to the quality of public debate in Canada." Dr. Sharon Manson Singer was the most recent President of Canadian Policy Research Networks. The Founder and Past-President of CPRN was Judith Maxwell, who was formerly the Chair of the Economic Council of Canada
Economic Council of Canada
The Economic Council of Canada is a former Crown corporation that was owned by the Government of Canada and was established in 1963 under the Economic Council of Canada Act....
.
On October 27, 2009 it was announced that CPRN would close its doors on December 23, 2009 after 15 years of public service, due to lack of government, private and other public funding resources.
On December 23, 2009, CPRN announced that Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
will now house the complete body of CPRN reports and publications in hard copy and all archival materials. The documents will be available for use to the general public, free of charge, at the university library. Carleton University also agreed to host and maintain the CPRN website for seven years after the closure date (to 2017) which will permit electronic access to 15-years of CPRN downloadable reports, free of charge. According to Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President of Carleton University,“Carleton has a long tradition as a leader in groundbreaking public policy research. Serving as the repository of the CPRN archive will guarantee that our students, researchers and the public continue to have access to the significant body of work undertaken by CPRN over the past 15 years.”
Services
CPRN had provided original evidence-based research, public policy briefs and recommendations, deliberative dialogues and citizen engagement, stakeholder engagement with business, community and government leaders, and knowledge translation for important public policy issues.Select Publications
- Charting the Course for Youth Civic and Political Participation Series
- The Vulnerable Workers Research Series
- Pathways to the Youth Labour Market Research Series
- Human Resource Issues in Canada's Non-profit Sector Series
- Citizens' Dialogue on the Kind of Canada We Want
- What's a Good Job — The Importance of Employment Relationships by Graham Lowe and Grant Schellenberg
- Too Many Left Behind by Patrice de Broucker
- How Canada Stacks Up: The Quality of Work – An International Perspective by Richard Brisbois
- 21st Century Job Quality: Achieving What Canadians Want by Graham Lowe