Series 24

GDP was never intended to measure our social progress yet it continues to be used to reflect how well we are doing as a nation. In this presentation, the development and evolution of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) is described, which provides Canadians with an alternative to GDP and argues that we should focus on the wellbeing of Canadians as a way of reducing inequities in quality of life. The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) provides unique insights into the quality of life of Canadians and the communities in which they live both overall and in eight specific

China is an indisputable global power today. How did China transform from a poor, developing country to a nation of “wolf warriors” on the world stage? How ought we to read the tea leaves of Chinese politics under Xi Jinping? As Canada navigates one of the thorniest periods in its relationship with China, it is imperative to take a deep dive into China’s domestic politics. This lecture will take you there.

Human-caused climate change impacts have convinced governments around the world, including Canada, to commit to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by mid-century.  Achieving this target requires replacement of our fossil carbon based energy carriers (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and natural gas) with zero-emission energy carriers produced with minimal or no GHG emissions.  Electricity is the most promising energy carrier for a net zero future, but it cannot meet all needs.  Sustainably produced biofuels can work with existing infrastructure but the feedstock supply is likely to fall short of demand.  For some sectors, hydrogen is emerging as the zero emission

Unions seem to be having a moment of renewed power and influence. In North America, workers are making organizing breakthroughs at Starbucks, Amazon, and other companies previously thought impossible to unionize. There is a wave of global labour unrest, whether in education, healthcare, the civil service, shipping and transportation, factories in China, and even amongst Hollywood writers and actors. How do we understand this renewed groundswell of workers exerting their economic and political power? In this talk, Dr. Ross will examine the labour movement’s upsurge in Canada and around the world. She will explore the drivers of this

An explosion of research in Alzheimer’s disease over the past year has moved the field closer to effective treatments. This presentation will provide updates on evolving information with respect to risk factors, lifestyle strategies, genetic testing, diagnostic biomarkers, and the Alzheimer’s drug development pipeline.

While the players, the parties and the ways we participate have changed over the last 156 years, there are some common threads that tie today’s politics back to where it all began. Strap yourselves in for a whirlwind tour of Canada’s electoral history, from John A. Macdonald to Justin Trudeau and everything in between. Then bring your questions for a discussion of where things stand in Canadian politics as we look ahead to the next chapter.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a Provincial art gallery nestled in acres of forest in Kleinburg, north of Toronto. For more than fifty years the McMichael has been recognized and beloved for its remarkable and comprehensive collection of works of the Group of Seven, Tom Thomson, Emily Carr and David Milne. However, in recent years, the gallery has expanded its vision to allow for the research and exhibition of works by lesser known artists. Such recent projects included Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment, a major survey exhibition of Indigenous and settler women artists from

Lake Ontario’s natural ecosystem is challenged by many land use issues. The ecosystem has been further impacted by the introduction of a subset of Eurasian species finding the altered environment suitable. Addressing these issues is the intent of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Lake Ontario Management Plan. Cootes Paradise Marsh one of the largest coastal marshes is the living example of how these factors all come together and tie to activities to restore it to a sustainable environment.