The Conversation
A stag stands in a neck-high field of canola in Alberta in 2011. The federal government is in the midst of formulating a national food policy aimed at putting more high-quality food on Canadian tables from the country’s ranchers and farmers. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The promise of a national food policy for Canada

Charles Z.Levkoe, Lakehead University and Amanda Wilson, Lakehead University

Reuters/KCNA

Asia’s dangerous new geopolitics

Nick Bisley, La Trobe University

The first week of July is not normally one that brings great events in world politics. Around that time, the northern hemisphere normally shifts into summer holiday mode. Recently, this has become less…
Iranians watch a soccer match between Iran and Uzbekistan at a Tehran cafe last month. Compared to their neighbours, Iranians are not plagued by ethnic tensions. AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Terror not likely to thrive in Iran

Nima Zahedi Nameghi, Université Laval

Unlike its neighbours, Iran's different ethnic groups live in relative peace and harmony. Given terrorism is often spurred by ethnic conflict, will Iranians be spared further terrorist attacks?
Despite his presidential victory, Donald Trump’s business brand is suffering, as is that of his daughter, Ivanka. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Trumps show image harms business

Fang Wan, University of Manitoba

The Trump brand has taken a hit since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency. The mistake? Failing to separate the businesses from the personalities.
Setting a low age floor for legal access to cannabis could improve drug-use prevention, education, health and safety for youth, research suggests. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Marijuana age limit should be low — not high

Rebecca Haines-Saah, University of Calgary

Allowing young people to legally access marijuana will improve cannabis education and use-prevention, and hinder illegal activity.
High government taxes on legalized marijuana could push people back to the black market. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Why governments should keep weed taxes down

Arthur Cockfield, Queen's University, Ontario

The Liberal government is on the way to legalizing marijuana. They should keep taxes low to discourage the black market.
A technician checks a smart meter data in this file photo. Research suggests the technology fails to affect consumer behaviour. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Do smart meters deliver on promises?

Catherine Rosenberg, University of Waterloo and Lukasz Golab, University of Waterloo

Data suggests a smart-meter plan to shift electricity use to off-peak hours has had almost no impact.
In 2014 and 2015, about 35 per cent of aid committed by OECD donors addressed gender in some way. (Shutterstock)

How to spend foreign aid like a feminist

Liam Swiss, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Canada is making a major commitment to foreign aid that will help girls and women. But will its new aid policy have the unintended consequence of shutting doors to other much-needed aid?
The Canadian Armed Forces wants to attract more women to join its ranks. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dene Moore)

The battle to get more women into the military

Stéfanie von Hlatky, Queen's University, Ontario and Meaghan Shoemaker, Queen's University, Ontario

The Canadian Armed Forces has called for women to make up 25 per cent of its ranks by 2026. Attracting and retaining female recruits will require better gender awareness in the military at all levels.

Editor's Picks

Will AI and robotics erode or enhance the labour market for humans? (Shutterstock)

Canada +150

Future jobs: How we’ll earn a living 150 years from now

Sunil Johal, University of Toronto

What will Canadians do to earn their keep in 150 years? We won't manufacture goods, but jobs with the "human" touch, like nursing, will still be important.
The future of citizenship is more distributed, interactive and local than dealing with central government through new technology. That may be sad news for those who wish to interact with the likes of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in virtual reality if not in person. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

Canada +150

Canada in 150 years: People power will shake up society

Curtis McCord, University of Toronto

The disruptive impact of intelligent machines and new social movements will force us to remake citizenship into a more personal pursuit over the next 150 years.
People hold up a sign as part of a demonstration where a teepee was erected on Parliament Hill to protest Canada Day. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Canada 150: Not the first celebration to attract controversy

Matthew Hayday, University of Guelph

Canadian celebrations are often controversial, but challenges to Canada 150 may actually indicate our desire to perfect and improve this country.

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  1. Marijuana age limit should be low - not high
  2. Morality isn’t a compass — it’s a calculator
  3. The promise of a national food policy for Canada
  4. Iran’s ethnic harmony suggests terrorism won’t thrive there
  5. Rallying cry: Youth must stand up to defend democracy

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