Advancing the dialogue Canada Institute Report on Activities APRIL 1, 2007 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 Woodrow Wilson Center Mission Statement The Woodrow Wilson Center is the national, living memorial honoring President Woodrow Wilson. It provides an essential link between the worlds of ideas and pub- lic policy in order to address current and future domestic and global challenges. The Center fosters policy-relevant research and dialogue to enhance the capabilities and knowledge of public and private sector leaders, citizens, and institutions worldwide. Created by an Act of Congress, the Center is a non-partisan institution supported by both public and private funds. Canada Institute Mission Statement The Canada Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center strives to increase awareness and knowledge about Canada and Canada-U.S. issues among U.S. policymakers and opinion leaders. Knowledge in the public service 2 Note from Lee H. Hamilton The Woodrow Wilson International Center maintain a strong and open relationship for Scholars was established by the between our two countries. United States Congress in 1968 to honor Since its establishment in 2001, David the memory of the 28th president. The Biette and his staff have done an excel- Center is headquartered in Washington, lent job establishing the Canada Institute D.C., and is the living, national memorial as the premier forum in Washington to President Wilson. to discuss important bilateral issues. The Wilson Center’s mission is to com- Through ongoing efforts to host events memorate the ideals and concerns of in new locations across Canada and the Woodrow Wilson by providing a link be- United States, the Canada Institute con- tween the worlds of ideas and the world tinues to reach a broader and more di- of policy and by fostering research, verse audience. The Institute also facili- study, discussion, and collaboration tates the exchange of Canadian and U.S. among a broad spectrum of individu- scholars, which further promotes the free als concerned with policy and scholar- flow of ideas and perspectives across our ship in national and international af- border. Such initiatives have played a fairs. At the Woodrow Wilson Center, crucial role in keeping Canada front and Lee H. Hamilton we bring together the thinkers and center in the United States, and helps President and Director the doers—policymakers, scholars, jour- keep both Canadians and Americans Woodrow Wilson International nalists, and business leaders—in the informed of our continually evolving Center for Scholars hope that a frank and open dialogue will relationship. lead to better understanding, coopera- I remain deeply indebted to the Canada of Commerce, and the numerous corpora- tion, and public policy. Institute’s Advisory Board for its con- tions and individuals who have supported Like other programs at the Center, the tinued guidance and support of the the awards dinners, most recently held Canada Institute does not have a leg- Institute’s impressive range of program- in Montreal. Their contributions have al- islative or policy agenda. The Canada ming. I must thank C. Warren Goldring, lowed the Canada Institute to continue its Institute provides a much needed non- whose leadership and efforts have been mission of deepening understanding, co- partisan forum to discuss current and essential in expanding the Institute’s pro- operation, and communication between emerging issues in the U.S.–Canada gramming into Canada. Canada and the United States. These ef- relationship. These forums remain es- I must also recognize the generous forts will remain instrumental in building sential in highlighting the importance support of the Canada Institute’s donors, a more prosperous and conscientious re- of the bilateral relationship and help particularly the Canadian Imperial Bank lationship between our two countries. ■ 1 Message from Canada Institute Director riety of stakeholders from both sides of continued to draw an increasing amount the border—including members of the of interest from a variety of sectors in- public, private, academic and not-for- volved with energy issues. As always, we profit sectors—have the opportunity to are grateful to have Global Public Affairs voice their opinion, concerns, and ideas and the Canadian Centre for Energy on bilateral issues in a non-partisan, Information as partners in producing open forum. these highly successful forums. The Institute’s Cross-Border Forums on As with our programming, the Canada Energy Issues represent a concrete exam- Institute’s publications aim to bring both ple of how our programs have grown and a Canadian and American perspective on developed over the years. The forums are important bilateral issues. Our One Issue a regular part of the Institute’s program- Two Voices series gives voice to Canadian ming and offer a unique opportunity for and American perspectives on a range of senior-level Canadian and U.S. govern- topics. The series takes an idea and looks ment officials, energy experts, and in- at it from each side of the Canada-U.S. dustry representatives to discuss North border—not necessarily from opposite America’s current and emerging energy points of view, but from the perspective of issues. the author’s country, in order to encour- As part of our ongoing work to expand David N. Biette age additional dialogue on the issue. In Director the series’ dialogue beyond the capital, the Canada Institute Institute hosted its eighth energy forum in most cases, the Canada Institute accom- San Francisco, California, attracting a di- panies the release of the publication with verse audience of energy stakeholders from a public conference that promotes con- Canada and the United States’ Western re- versation and enables alternative views At the forefront of the Canada Institute’s gion. Our ninth forum, held in March 2008, to be voiced. Recently, we have tried to mission is to promote dialogue on bi- saw our highest number of participants host a conference for each new issue in lateral issues between Canada and the ever, as well as an unprecedented level both Canada and the United States to en- United States. Our efforts to fulfill this of interest from corporate sponsors—a gage a broader audience from both sides goal remains focused on ensuring a va- definite indication of how the series has of the border in the discussion. 2 We recognize the value of collaborating with new organizations in an effort to focus on important topics within the bilateral relationship, as well as to co-host conferences in new locations in Canada and the United States. Façade, Palais des Congrès de Montréal The Canada Institute continues to seek 2008, that assessed climate change and into new areas. In early September 2008, opportunities to expand its program- competitiveness issues. the Canada Institute held a strategic ming, often through partnering with We do not always have to look far for planning retreat to consider the focus of Canadian and American organizations opportunities to form new partnerships. its programming, and how to organize that share our goal of exploring current When possible, the Canada Institute col- the Advisory Board in a manner that and emerging issues in Canada-U.S. rela- laborates with other programs in the fully utilizes its members’ expertise and tions. Through the years, we have come Woodrow Wilson Center in an effort to experience. to greatly appreciate the value of lasting reach a broader audience and explore new As always, we recognize that our work partnerships and recognize the value issues. This past year alone, the Institute would not be possible without the contin- of collaborating with new organizations has partnered with the Center’s Project on ued support of our donors. I would like to in an effort to focus on important topics Leadership and Building State Capacity; thank C. Warren Goldring and the Canada within the bilateral relationship, as well the Science, Technology, America, and Institute on North American Issues for as to co-host conferences in new loca- the Global Economy program; the Mexico their continued support of the Canada tions in Canada and the United States. Institute; the Environmental Change and Institute’s activities in Canada. We are A recent initiative in this area included Security Program; and the Global Energy also grateful to the corporations and indi- the Canada Institute’s partnership with Initiative. viduals who participated in the Woodrow the Ottawa-based Public Policy Forum Our efforts to improve and broaden our Wilson Awards dinner in Montreal. Their to organize a two-day conference explor- programming are achieved with a talented generosity has been a fundamental part ing bilateral opportunities to address and dedicated staff. Stephanie McLuhan, of the Canada Institute’s extraordinary climate change in Canada and the United our program consultant in Toronto, has success and growth over the past year. ■ States. The event was held at the Wilson continued to do an outstanding job orga- Center in May of 2007 and generated nizing the Institute’s events in Canada. considerable interest among govern- We also benefit tremendously from the ment officials, industry representatives, guidance and support of our Advisory and environmentalists on both sides of Board. Gerry McCaughey, who serves as the border. To build on this success, the chair of the Institute’s Advisory Board, Canada Institute partnered once again has been instrumental in overseeing the with the Public Policy Forum for a timely Canada Institute’s continued develop- follow-up event, held in Ottawa on June 4, ment and expansion of our programming 3 Publications Free Trade in Free Fall? Canada–U.S. Nontariff Barriers 1 Health Care in Crisis 1 THE CANADA INSTITUTE THE CANADA INSTITUTE THE CANADA INSTITUTE 1 One Issue, One Issue, One Issue, 2 Two Voices Two Voices Two Voices Free Trade in Free Fall? Health Care in Crisis: The Drive for Canada–U.S.