White Paper

Increasing numbers of international students are enrolling in professional degrees in the social sciences requiring successful completion of work-based practicums. However, international students on practicum face particular challenges relating to language and cultural issues which are often compounded by prejudicial attitudes in the workplace. Academics responsible for field education play a crucial role in both preparing students for field practicums and negotiating with professionals in the field who supervise them, but little is known about how they approach this dual responsibility. This project will analyse the need for specific interventions to make social science field education inclusive by reviewing relevant research and resources, and investigating perceptions and practices of academic field coordinators and professional supervisors. Findings will inform the development of a model of inclusive field education and a plan for addressing identified needs. These will be evaluated as a foundation for a larger grant application to develop strategies and resources to make field education inclusive for international students.

The main purpose of this literature review is to bring together relevant research in order to contextualize the Brookfield Institute’s broader State of Digital Literacy in Canada study. While scoping out Canadian policy texts and existing programs, it also draws on international research, best practices, and the work of digital literacy experts globally to define digital literacy, the skills it comprises, as well as its importance. These sources have pulled mainly from educational and pedagogical research, work on technology and the economy, as well as a variety of policy papers, reports, recommendations, and studies. One of the challenges in synthesizing research on the subject of digital literacy is the sheer number of sources, as well as the fact that the concept intersects with many others, such as computational thinking, coding, e-literacy, media literacy, ICT skills, STEM, and so on. The lack of a single common definition of the concept implies that sources have varied conceptions of the term “digital literacy” itself. Much of the work cited was relatively recent, given that the concept of digital literacy has become more frequently used since approximately 2009, and that meaning of the concept has changed over time. This literature review focuses particularly on the skill sets that comprise digital literacy from a labour market perspective. Although the Government of Canada (along with provincial governments) has identified innovation and the development of local digital talent as a key priority, recommendations remain imprecise. The focus on coding as a crucial skill for the economy of the future has arguably obscured the necessity for a broader emphasis on digital literacy as such, as well as the spectrum of skills the digital economy will require by 2020. This review has found several broad themes of focus in the digital literacy: defining the term itself and what skills it comprises (Theme 1), its place in the digital economy and the changing nature of the workplace (Theme 2), how digital literacy can and should be taught from kindergarten to the workforce (Theme 3), and how digital literacy can address and exacerbate existing digital divides and exclusions (Theme 4). In Emerging Research Questions (III), we identify perceived gaps in research. Appendix A documents key research institutions and researchers on the topic of digital literacy. Appendix B contains an annotated bibliography of consulted sources

We utilize the 2000 cohort of university graduates from the National Graduate Survey (NGS) to estimate the extent to which the choice of field of study is influenced by expected returns to those fields of study. The expected returns are based on earnings equations estimated from the earlier 1990 NGS cohort for the years 1992 and 1995 -- years that are around the time when the 2000 cohort would be applying to university and forming expectations of their expected returns by field of study. We estimate those expected returns using conventional OLS earnings equations as well as IV estimates to account for the potential endogeneity of the returns by field of study since selection effects may bias the expected returns. Our IV estimates utilize measures of skill-biased technological change as instruments. Overall, our results suggest that prospective students do choose fields of study in part at least on the basis of earnings they can expect to receive in those fields. Furthermore, earnings expectations formed around the time they are applying are more influential than earnings expectations based on years further away from that time, although both generally have an impact on the choice of field of study.

When economists, sociologists and psychologists discuss skill they often appear to be talking about different things, even though they each ascribe high importance to it. To make progress and to facilitate inter-disciplinary communication it would be better to be sure what we mean by skill. I propose a simple functional concept that offers the prospect of dialogue and progress in skills analysis. Skills have three key features: they are Productive, Expandable and Social. I advocate this 'PES' concept of skill, examine how far the approaches of economics, sociology and psychology conform to it, and compare 'skill' with 'competence' as widely used in human resource management and in educational discourse. I consider implications from the intimate connection between skill and value, some of which are contradictory. Finally I describe some common typologies of skills and skills mismatches that follow on from the PES concept.

This Economic Insights article addresses the extent to which immigrants contribute to economic growth. For the first time, the business ownership and job-creation activities of immigrants are addressed.

Budget 2017 is the next step in the Government's long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class. Canada is home to a well-educated and highly skilled workforce, but as the demands of the workplace change, so too must the education and skills workers bring to their jobs. The changes in the economy--both here at home and around the world--present incredible opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it. With its strong focus on innovation, skills, partnerships and fairness, Budget 2017 takes the next steps in securing a more prosperous future for all Canadians. It helps hard-working, talented and creative people develop the skills they need to drive our most successful industries and high-growth companies forward, and invests in Canadians' well-being through a focus on mental health, home care and Indigenous health care. Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled the Government's second budget--Building a Strong Middle Class--which continues to invest in middle class Canadians at every stage of their lives, transform our neighbourhoods and communities, and give every Canadian a real and fair chance at success. Budget 2017 will: Equip Canada's workers with the skills and tools they need to succeed in a changing economy. Budget 2017 places Canada's skilled, talented and creative people at the heart of a more innovative economy. It makes smart investments to help adult workers retrain or upgrade their skills to adapt to changes in the new economy, and to help young people get the skills and work experience they need to start their careers. Take an important step towards gender equality, with Canada's first ever Gender Statement, which serves as a basis for ongoing, open and transparent discussions about the role gender plays in policy development. Strengthen Canada's publicly funded, universal health care system to meet the needs of Canadian families. Budget 2017 confirms the Government's historic health funding agreements with 12 provinces and territories by investing in better home care and mental health initiatives that will help the families who need it most. Advance Canada's efforts to build a clean growth economy, by investing in green infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, delivers clean air and safe drinking water, and promotes renewable power. Budget 2017 also takes important steps to support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Position Canada at the leading edge of a changing economy, by helping to ensure Canadians are able to access the jobs of the future. Budget 2017 helps connect companies on a global scale, takes an innovative and collaborative approach to solving modern challenges, and helps businesses get what they need to grow. Build stronger communities, by improving access to early learning, child care and affordable housing. Budget 2017 takes concrete action to improve the quality of life of all Canadians, with more cultural and recreational centres, as well as safe and accessible public spaces. Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, through investments in infrastructure and First Nations and Inuit health, actions to strengthen Indigenous communities, funding to support education and training, and measures to promote language and culture revitalization. Make the tax system fairer for the middle class. Budget 2017 will close tax loopholes, crack down on tax evasion, improve existing tax measures for individuals and families, and eliminate measures that are inefficient or no longer effective. Through Budget 2017, the Government will also be taking steps toward eliminating tax measures that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

Aligning Skills Development With Labour Market Need builds on the Centre for Skills and Post-Secondary Education's (SPSE) foundational report, Skills?Where Are We Today: The State of Skills and PSE in Canada. A key finding of that report was that the œliteracy, numeracy and problem-solving skills of Canadian adults are less impressive than one might expect for a country with a high level of post-secondary participation and attainment. Aligning Skills Development explores the contradiction of mounting levels of educational attainment coexisting with weak alignment between skills and labour market needs. Understanding this paradox and possible solutions involve an analysis of Canada's skills development system. The report considers the critical role of Canada's labour market information systems, the way employers articulate their skills demands to prospective employees, and the education system that is expected to develop these skills.

This document provides a review of, and framework for understanding, disability definitions in key Government of Canada initiatives. Overall, the report illustrates and seeks to clarify the complex and multi-dimensional nature of the concept of disability found in policy, programs and benefits. It highlights the fact that confusion exists between definitions, eligibility criteria and program objectives. The paper concludes that a single harmonized definition of disability across the Government of Canada may not be desirable or achievable and that the scope of solutions to address the broader issues identified go beyond definitions. In reaching these conclusions, the paper illustrates the various tensions between the concept of disability, program design and the horizontal nature of disability programs. The report is divided into four main sections. Part one describes the evolution of the key disability conceptual models of disability--medical, functional limitation and social and human rights models--as well as the main disability data sources based on these models. Part two is the most detailed section of the report. It provides an inventory of key Government of Canada laws, programs and tax measures that target persons with disabilities in four areas: antidiscrimination legislation; activities of daily living and assistance in the home; income, and employment and learning. The review highlights the varying treatments of disability in each of these four categories, confirming that no single definition of disability exists at the federal level. Instead, disability definitions are found both explicitly and implicitly in legislative statutes and eligibility criteria. The report demonstrates the interaction and influence of these sometimes competing perspectives on disability definitions, objectives and eligibility. In part three, the report provides a summary of the key issues related to defining disability across the Government of Canada, including: the complexity of disability definitions because of the evolving perception of the meaning of disability; the horizontal nature and shared responsibility of disability; the confusion between disability definitions, program objectives and their eligibility criteria (for example, some programs focus on employability and others on income replacement and some programs determine disability through self identification while others require detailed information from medical specialists); and, finally, the need for improved communication and awareness. The report demonstrates that these issues are not easily disentangled and continue to challenge policy responses.Part four highlights key government actions and next steps to address the major issues. The report's conclusion stresses the need to bring more coherence to disability-related programs. Despite the challenges associated with disability definitions, the Government of Canada has undertaken a number of activities aimed at increasing the understanding, awareness and accessibility of programs, services and benefits for Canadians with disabilities. Specific commitments include improving the horizontal management of disability programs, increasing consultation with all partners, streamlining the application and assessment processes, and improving communication products for Canadians. In addition to describing programs, the report provides some examples of concerns related to definitions raised by witnesses appearing before various Parliamentary committees between 2001 and 2003. A preliminary study of provincial disability definitions conducted by a consultant on behalf of HRDC, and international definitions are also included as annexes. Finally, a table that summarizes the key initiatives reviewed is included in Annex D. By providing a database of information on key Government of Canada disability initiatives, this report is only a first step in our goal to provide a more coherent picture of our disability policies and programs. Improving our understanding of the interaction between the different concepts of disability through further research and consultation will assist the Government of Canada in its disability policy and program design. To deal with the broader issues will require further discussion and collaboration among and within governments to explore areas where consistent approaches could lead to improved programs and services for people with disabilities.

This report, one of the first of its kind, is a comprehensive overview of a vigorous and evolving global market. It offers objective information about D&I technology by establishing a common framework for it and identifying key vendors and their respective solutions. Our goal is to provide key stakeholders, such as vendors, organizational leaders, and consumers, an overview of this dynamic and important human resources (HR) technology marketplace. Our journey to understand the D&I technology market began nearly a year ago when we, RedThread Research and Mercer, decided to partner on this research. We had a vague idea it was a œhot market, but we did not understand the extent of its size and reach. This report, with its 105 vendors and 13 customer stories, is the result of a nine-month long effort.To provide a comprehensive overview of the D&I tech market, we split our study into two phases. The first phase resulted in a qualitative report, published in September 2018, that summarized the D&I technology market landscape. The second phase of the study, the current report, adds a quantitative component to our understanding of the D&I technology landscape. In addition, we interviewed customers and reviewed more vendors, and wove their insights throughout the report. Finally, we included customer success stories and screenshots from the vendors those customers used, to bring the numbers to life