Master of Public Policy Capstone Projects

Permanent URI for this collection

https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/100096

This community houses the collection of University of Calgary Capstone projects from the School of Public Policy, Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Capstone projects are closed access unless permissions have been granted to Libraries and Cultural Resources to make them publicly accessible.

Authors: If you would like to make your Capstone project publicly accessible, please contact digitize@ucalgary.ca to grant permissions.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 284

Open Access
Exploring Paramedic Perspectives on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Delivery in Alberta: A Qualitative Study
(2023-11-16) Newton, Janna; Zwicker, Jennifer
This project aims to understand the factors contributing to long response times and the poor working environment but also to offer policy solutions. As Alberta is undergoing a substantial restructuring of the EMS system by Alberta Health and AHS, it is crucial that frontline paramedics are heard, and their concerns addressed regarding implemented policies. Nineteen paramedics were interviewed from across Alberta to bring attention to the frontline perspective, which can’t be captured with quantitative data. Participants were asked explicitly about response times, Emergency Department (ED) offloading and staffing. Interviews underwent thematic analysis and coded to understand issues and proposed solutions.
Open Access
Value Added Analysis and its Potential Impact on Canadian Military Procurements
(2022-01) Montagnes, Joel S.; Boucher, Jean-Christophe; School of Public Policy; University of Calgary
The Canadian Federal government is currently at a crossroads when it comes to managing its procurement projects for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The first choice involves using current practices which are resulting in procurement projects chronically running over budget and behind schedule. This can be attributed to prioritizing domestic economic and manufacturing development by demanding would-be vendors manufacture their capital assets in Canada along with excessive customizations of capital assets to “Canadianize” them. The second choice involves streamlining the entire procurement process. This includes taking the tasks assigned to multiple Departments in the Federal government and amalgamating them into one. It also includes choosing the best vendors and capital assets for procurement based on their merit, competency and quality of merchandise as opposed to their willingness to invest in Canada. The strategy that would best underpin and guide these procurement reforms is called, Value Added Analysis (VAA). To objective will be to make capital procurement projects stay within budgets and on schedule for completion and delivery. Currently, the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), which is an ongoing capital procurement project for both the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard Service (CCGS) is an excellent case study to show how aspects of VAA are already being implemented into managing capital procurement projects. The NSS also provides examples of how VAA can be further implemented into managing capital procurement projects.
Open Access
Appraising Canadian Development Assistance before and after CIDA
(2022) Akrouch, Hepa; Hiebert, Maureen
In 2013, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), an organization vested with administering foreign aid programs in developing countries, was folded into the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This capstone will assess the impact of this administrative change on Canada’s development assistance strategy and recipient countries. It will also shed light on whether the decision to merge CIDA into the Department of Foreign Affairs has contributed negatively or positively to Canadian development assistance, all of which will ideally inform future development assistance policy initiatives and governance of development aid.
Open Access
Imperfect information and psychological contract breaches: A closer look at Uber and DoorDash
(2022) Ajele, Oluwatomilola Tomi; Tedds, Lindsay
This paper explores the ways in which the practices of Uber and DoorDash contradict their promises to their workers, thus signifying a psychological contract breach. Through an exploration of grey literature and anecdotes collected via internet chat forums and content websites, the findings in this paper reveal that many Uber and DoorDash workers are experiencing working conditions that contradict their expectations. These psychological contract breaches are caused as a result of imperfect information. Withholding information regarding job scope, compensation, and how data is used to inform algorithmic management decisions are examples of mechanisms used by Uber and DoorDash which result in psychological contract breaches. As the overarching mechanism through which Uber and Doordash are breaching psychological contracts is imperfect information, this paper suggests that labour policy can address psychological contract breaches in app-work by regulating information disclosure.
Open Access
Measuring and Mitigating CleanBC’s Impact on Energy Affordability
(2020-04) Louden, C.; Winter, J.
Open Access
Net Zero Emissions in Canada: From Concept to Action
(2021-09) Ladha, R.; Rioux
Open Access
Caring for socially disadvantaged patients
(2021-09) Morin, N.; Forest, P.G.
Open Access
Gaps and Opportunities in Affordable Housing Policy for Albertans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
(2021-09) Selinger, C.; Young, L.
Open Access
Accelerating Energy Grid Modernization in Canada: Reasons and Recommendations for Canadian Smart Grid Development
(2021-08) Magnaye, J.; Shaffer, B.
Open Access
Tracking Calgary: Governance of Transportation Business Case Development
(2021-08-25) Esquivias, Deborah; Forest, Pierre-Gerlier
Open Access
Tax Compliance: How Trust in Government Can Increase Federal Tax Revenues
(2021-08-31) Chwyl, Robert; Boucher, Jean-Christophe
Canada is losing billions of dollars each year to individuals shirking on their taxes (Canada Revenue Agency 2016). The question of how to reduce this substantial amount is both pertinent and difficult. As a liberal democracy, the federal government is constrained by how much coercive force it can use. Voluntary compliance by citizens is essential. This paper will demonstrate how certain measures can be used to build trust in the federal government and its institutions – specifically in the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), leading to a decrease in tax shirking and increasing tax revenue. Canada, along with many other liberal democracies, have simultaneously experienced declining levels of trust (Dalton 2004). This change erodes the legitimacy of the government and its institutions. In addition, the problem is unlikely to correct itself. Values have changed among younger generations, altering expectations of governments (Inglehart 2008) and further straining trust. Action is needed to respond to the changing relationship between the Canadian government and its citizens. There is a strong correlation between an individual’s trust in government and their likelihood of paying taxes (Kucher and Götte 1998; Shulz and Lubell 1998). This relationship is integral to the paper’s recommendations. If an individual’s trust in government can be increased, more tax revenue will follow. Trust must first be built with the public. Advanced liberal democracies primarily build trust through their institutions (Zucker 1986). Trust in government can be viewed as a collection of trust in its parts. Ideally all federal institutions would follow trust building measures. However, given the infancy of the research and the relative novelty of recommendations, this is unrealistic. This paper will give more pragmatic recommendations focusing on the CRA. As a large institution that deals regularly with taxpayers, the CRA is a clear choice to first implement trust building measures. In order to accurately quantify and analyze trust, the CRA must first conduct its own trust measurements. Perception surveys, the most common measurement type in use, will be used. Popular 3rd party trust measurements ask broad and ambiguous questions (Connolly 2016; Edelman 2021), limiting their efficacy. The CRA should ask clearer and more pointed questions that get to the heart of where Canadian distrust arises. Corruption constitutes the strongest predictor of trust placed in remote political institutions directly (Blind 2006, 12). To address appearances of corruption, steps should be taken that prevent citizens from forming negative views of the CRA. Appearance standards remedy this issue by treating improper appearances as an offence, even if no offence has taken place. Trust is measured by perception, making preemptive action a necessary element. Once trust is lost, it is difficult to gain back. Engagement is linked with increased trust in the government (Wesley 2018). The CRA should foster greater engagement by allowing for e-participation opportunities on its website. Not only will it capture new individuals, but greater levels of engagement will be made available to those already participating. An e-government model will be followed to detail the process.
Open Access
Nin-gikino’amaagoz – I am a student
(2021-09-01) Clark, Amber; Leslie, Myles
According to data collected from the 2016 Canada Census, there were 34 million Canadians, 2.1 million Indigenous people, and 1.5 million First Nations people. Of the total Canadian population, 28.6 million had obtained a high school diploma or equivalate certificate, while 1.2 million Indigenous people obtained the same level of education, but only 227,945 First Nations people living on-reserve graduated from high school or obtained an equivalent certificate in Canada. Therefore, at the time of the last census in Canada, only 7% of the total Canadian population, First Nations students living on-reserve graduating from high school while close to 80% of the total population who where non-Indigenous where graduating from high school in the same year and in the same country. In Manitoba, high school graduation rates for First Nations students are 39.9% lower than their non-Indigenous counterparts. There are many contributing factors to why First Nations high school graduation rates are so low. Many of these issues have stemmed from racist and assimilative polices legislated through different variations of the Indian Act. These policies have contributed to a wide array of socioeconomic issues among Indigenous people, both living on and off-reserve. As we move on to the next part of this journey, I will highlight the context and histories of these policies. You will learn that assimilation, racism, and genocide are deeply rooted in Canadian history, policy, and legislation. Which plays a significant role in educational gaps and the mistrust of authority and government.
Open Access
Identify, Respond, Neutralize: Recommendations for Canada’s Post-COVID-19 Framework
(2021-08-24) Babin, Blake; Boucher, Jean-Christophe
Canada has experienced multiple infectious disease outbreaks in the 21st. century. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, followed by H1N1 in 2009, signalled that outbreaks of infectious diseases around the world were increasing in frequency. These outbreaks prompted Canada to acknowledge shortcomings in its broader public health system, ultimately resulting in increased public health funding, as well as updated public health policies and infrastructure. In early 2020, Canada’s pandemic preparedness was tested with the first global pandemic since the 1918 influenza outbreak, COVID-19 (Liu et al., 2020). Problems were revealed with Canada’s information management systems, public health surveillance, and border control measures. Canada was not prepared for a large-scale outbreak and the issues highlighted require national solutions. This capstone begins with a summary of the themes and recommendations stemming from the reviews of the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic is then analyzed, starting with countries with successful response measures. Issues with Canada’s surveillance measures are highlighted, looking specifically at the country’s information management frameworks and the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN). Gaps in Canada’s border control measures during COVID-19 and their implications are examined. This paper then explores the relationship between public health and national security, ultimately suggesting how the fusion would benefit Canada’s pandemic preparedness. Lastly, five recommendations are given that aim to improve Canada’s outbreak prevention and mitigating measures.
Open Access
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canadian Penitentiaries
(2021-08-24) Houghton, K. Mikayla; Forest, Pierre-Gerlier
Since the decriminalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in 2016, Canada has developed one of the most progressive and inclusive assisted dying frameworks in the world. This capstone project explores the accessibility of MAiD in federal penitentiaries with a focus on Correctional Service Canada’s (CSC) legal obligation to inmates to provide adequate access to health services, including MAiD, highlighting areas within the current framework that need immediate attention. In addition, to better understand the financial implications of providing MAiD in a correctional facility, this paper explores the costs and savings of MAiD in the community with a discussion of how it could apply to a correctional facility.
Open Access
The Impact of Output Based Allocations on the Carbon Tax and Policy: Measuring the Effective Tax Rates on Marginal Costs
(2021-09-10) Huang, Ben; McKenzie, Kenneth J.
As the global climate challenge intensifies, countries are working to reduce the adverse effects caused by an increasing amount of Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed in an agreement that global warming is happening due to GHG emissions and industrialized countries commit to reducing GHG emissions according to their individual targets (United Nations 2021). Canada has been progressive in climate accountability plans. Under the Paris Agreement, Canada is committed to carbon net-zero by 2050 (Environmental and Natural Resources Canada 2021). As one of the largest energy producers in North America, Alberta introduced its first carbon tax regulation in 2007, the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER). The SGER introduced the concept of output based allocations in Canada and has been a model for the concept in other provinces and the federal government. As policies to reduce emissions are imposed, such as carbon taxes, concerns over the competitiveness of energy intensive production in industrialized countries rise. Carbon emissions can relocate in response to country specific policies, a phenomenon known as carbon leakage. Evidence suggests that overall global emissions have not declined with GHG emission policies introduced in industrialized countries as carbon leakage occurs to undermine the efficacy of the Kyoto Protocol’s anticipation (Babiker 2005). Output based allocations (OBAs) have been introduced as a solution to prevent carbon leakage and preserve firm competitiveness. OBAs are intended to reduce the side-effects of strengthening the environmental regulations while at the same time preserving the incentives to reduce emissions. Carbon border adjustment is another method intended to relieve the issues of carbon leakage. It adds import tariffs to specific products based on the carbon footprint and provides an export subsidy for domestic exporters. It effectively inhibits domestic producers’ offshoring due to the increasing stringency of the carbon regulatory environment. In this study, we will review background information around the emission regulations impacting Canada and Alberta. We will provide simulation analysis on output based allocations (OBAs) regarding effective tax rates on marginal costs (McKenzie, Mintz, and Scharf 1997). The results indicate that OBAs disrupt the correlation between energy input and effective tax rates on marginal costs (ETRMC), and therefore, promote energy production under a carbon tax.
Open Access
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Saskatchewan – Should SMRs be added to Saskatchewan’s energy portfolio?
(2021-07-12) Hamil, Egan; Rioux, Jean-Sebastien
Should Saskatchewan use Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to help lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) emitted by generating electricity? In this capstone, I identify and assess a number of policy considerations that are at play in answering this question. Canada committed to lowering its GHG emissions as part of the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. Part of this commitment includes a phase out of coal-fired energy by 2030, which has a great impact on fossil fuel-dependent provinces such as Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan, in present day and in projections out to 2030, has the highest per capita GHG emissions of all provinces in Canada. While part of Saskatchewan’s 2030 lowered emissions strategy involves moving away from heavy-emitting coal to cleaner-burning natural gas, a considerable reliance on natural gas could restrict the province’s ability to further decrease its emissions. Subsequently, Saskatchewan is evaluating low-emission nuclear power use in the form of SMRs as a solution. Canada is already a world leader in nuclear power, but unlike Canada’s traditional nuclear CANDU fleet, SMRs are more suited to smaller population jurisdictions, such as Saskatchewan, due to their lesser output, as a means of decreasing emissions. Wholly imperative to Saskatchewan’s evaluation, however, is the financial cost of SMRs. Canadian governments, both Federal and Provincial, have banded together to support an SMR industry and Canadians seem receptive to its potential. For Saskatchewan, the use of SMRs as an on-grid source of electricity is foremost dependent on its costs as compared to alternatives such as natural gas. The initial wave of SMRs, termed First-of-a-kind (FOAK) reactors, have elevated Levelized Costs of Electricity (LCOE) making them uncompetitive. Given more time leading to a commercialization process, whereby costs could be driven down either by domestic production efficiency or international exports, SMRs become a formidable choice from a competitive LCOE front. The province’s utility, Saskpower, is exploring investing and integrating SMRs into its energy portfolio between 2032-2042. If SMRs implementation is rejected along this timeline, another window exists for their integration from 2042 and beyond. Playing into Saskpower’s SMR exploration are important factors such as: an outdated nuclear energy regulatory framework; financial dangers in the development of SMR technology; a nuclear waste buildup with no current long-term disposal mechanism; and geographic and climate change concerns in Saskatchewan. In the last section of this Capstone, I take a position recommending that Saskatchewan not pursue the use of SMR technology in their energy portfolio from 2032-2042, and instead adopt a policy that adds SMRs starting in 2042 and beyond. There are five reasons for this. First, by 2042 and beyond, the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for high-level nuclear waste could be built, limiting one of the risk factors. Second, costs could realistically be driven down either from the beginnings of a domestic sales market or from international exports, meaning a reduced LCOE from commercialization. Third, natural gas power plants, the likely choice to maintain Saskatchewan’s power needs from 2032-2042, would naturally be nearing the end of their operating lives by the time SMRs are completed and running, meaning an organic transition could take place. A fourth reason is that the federal regulatory framework for SMRs has a greater chance of being streamlined by 2042. Finally, Saskatchewan will still have suitable geographic sites for SMRs in 2050 and even 2080 despite climate change.
Open Access
Human Papillomavirus vaccine uptake: Misinformation online and the healthcare providers’ role in reducing antivaccine sentiment
(2021-08-27) Haikal, Amne; Boucher, Jean-Christophe
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Canada (Government of Canada, 2020). HPV infections are often easy to treat, however, certain strains of the virus can progress and make the population more susceptible to different cancer diagnosis (2020). This is a concern, as cancer diagnoses related to HPV infection are expected to rise in Canada (Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 2021). In 2008, Alberta implemented an HPV school vaccine program with young girls as the target group (Highet, Jessiman-Peerault, Hilton, Law & Allen-Scott,2020). Following this, the school vaccine program was expanded to include boys in the same age group (2020). In 2020, the province made a vaccine program inclusive of individuals between ages 18-26 to help promote uptake in this group (2020). Despite school vaccine programs and well-established efficacy and safety research of the vaccine, HPV vaccination levels remain suboptimal in Alberta and different parts of Canada (2020). This is attributable to several causes, however the spread of vaccine misinformation online in addition to the growing influence social media sites have on the public to obtain health information are identified as concerns (Ortiz, Smith & Coyne-Beasley, 2019). This paper will delve into the growing HPV antivaccine sentiment in Canada and its impact on health outcomes. In addition, it will discuss the important role healthcare workers have in addressing vaccine misinformation in efforts to improve vaccination rates. Healthcare providers remain the most trusted individuals to help reduce vaccine misinformation (Paterson et al., 2016). Their innate trust and title legitimize their claims and motivates individuals to value their advice and recommendations. In addition, this paper will discuss the current legislation set in place to regulate healthcare workers in Alberta. It will also offer an analysis of the already established social media documents that guide healthcare workers. The paper ends with a list of policy recommendations to mobilize healthcare workers and ensure that their voices are heard and utilized to help slow and address the spread of vaccine misinformation on social media in hopes of reducing antivaccine sentiment.
Open Access
To Regulate or Not to Regulate? The Future of Disinformation in Canada
(2021-08-30) Alam, Arshia; McQuillan, Kevin
The rise in technology in recent years has ushered in massive contributions to social discourse and democratic expression by increasing accessibility through the Internet. However, at the same time, the advancement in online engagement has been met with a rise in disinformation. Disinformation is defined as false or misleading information that is deliberately created and disseminated with the intent to deceive. This rapid spread of disinformation is troublesome as it has the ability to generate mass public disapproval, thereby accelerating instances of violence in society as well as increased political polarization. Moreover, increased disinformation harms social institutions such as the health care system which leads to decreased health outcomes. All in all, disinformation is an evolving threat that requires a comprehensive solution to address it. Currently, regulation in Canada is outdated and holds social media platforms to minimal accountability. Electoral laws such as the Canada Elections Act and the Elections Modernization Act have been highly inadequate to deal with digitalization. Many academics and media specialists advocate for substantial changes. The most direct solution to date dealing with regulating the internet has been in the form of Bill C-10 which seeks to update the Broadcasting Act. This bill, as well as other government initiatives still do not effectively address disinformation directly meaning that electoral processes will still be negatively affected. Moving forward, the government needs to establish policies that directly tackle the factors that allow for the proliferation of disinformation on digital platforms. This includes greater transparency from big tech giants, the enactment of takedown laws of harmful content online as well as increased media literacy initiatives. Taken together, these steps could help in drastically reducing the impact of disinformation on online platforms.
Embargo
Analysis of an Electricity Market Restructuring Reform: The Case of Mexico
(2020-09-10) Flores, Brenda; Shaffer, Blake
In 2013, Mexico started reforming its electricity sector, expecting improvements in the performance of the industry and increases in consumers’ welfare. The 2012-2018 administration introduced competition to their generation segment and created a Wholesale Electricity Market through a series of constitutional amendments. It aimed to attract private capital to modernize the sector and improve the quality and reliability of energy supply in the country. It also sought to decrease the high electric costs and encourage the incorporation of clean energy in the sector. However, consumer prices have not reflected the improvements in competition in the market. This framework has allowed the current government to propose measures that are opposed to the competitive model. The purpose of this project is to analyze the implemented policies and their consequences, as well as the implications of keep increasing market competitions or returning to a state-owned utility monopoly. Paul Joskow developed some key principles for reforming processes to create efficient electricity markets. These principles can be used as a “standard model” for jurisdictions restructuring their power sector. The model can be helpful to analyze any country’s restructuring electricity reforms. This project compares them to Mexico’s measures to identify barriers to competition and other sources of inefficiencies in the Mexican electricity market. According to the literature review, the model based on Joskow’s principles for a successful liberalizing reform mainly consists of: i) Privatization of state-owned utilities, ii) Vertical separation of competitive segments, iii) Designation of a single Independent System Operator (ISO), iv) Promotion of efficient access to the transmission network, v) Creation of voluntary public wholesale spot energy and operating reserve market institutions, vi) Development of active demand-side institutions and vii) Creation of independent regulatory agencies. For a reform to be successful, it also needs a strong political commitment to it. Furthermore, nonstable market rules and regulatory imperfections deter potential investments in new generating capacity. Mexico complied with the vertical and horizontal separation of the state utility, the designation of an ISO, the creation of the institutions for a wholesale market and the creation of independent regulatory agencies. Nevertheless, the Mexican restructuring process did not privatize its state-owned utility. That decision makes it harder to incentivize performance improvements and the utility can be used to pursue political agendas. Also, Mexico is still in an early stage in the development of demand-side management institutions, limiting the efficiency of the market to incorporate demand responses. Moreover, prices have not decreased due to the increasing congestion in various links of the national transmission network. Additionally, with the change in administration, there is currently weak political support for the reform and the market rules are unstable, discouraging investment. The legal separation of CFE was pulled back and two temporarily suspended agreements may allow for exclusionary behaviour in the access to transmission. These actions impose further barriers to competition.
Open Access
True North Strong & (Trade Barrier) Free: Reasons and recommendations to eliminate non-tariff barriers to internal trade within Canada
(2020-09-15) Godwin, Nicholas Michael Edward; Tombe, Trevor
The Constitution of Canada delegates decision-making authority over all matters of international and interprovincial trade and commerce to the federal government. Yet interprovincial trade impediments abound, as a result of provincial authority that expressly allows for the regulation of all matters related to property and civil rights. In a federation of equal, self-governing provinces and territories, it is inevitable that discrepancies between regulations will arise out of such independent decision-making. In Canada, wherever regulatory misalignment adversely affects interprovincial trade in goods and services—which is responsible for about one-fifth of Canada’s annual gross domestic product—an internal barrier to trade is said to exist. From the perspective of Canadian firms, internal barriers to trade create duplication and variation in processes and procedures, deter foreign direct and private sector investments in uncompetitive jurisdictions, and fragment the domestic market, which all serve to discourage competition and innovation. From the perspective of Canadian consumers, this duplication, deterrence, and fragmentation increases the price of preferred goods and services, while simultaneously limiting their very availability. Internal barriers to trade impact productivity and business formation, the ease of doing business, and the success of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as aggregate welfare, labour mobility, and Canada’s ability to realize its future economic growth potential. Historical attempts at dismantling internal barriers to trade have resulted in a patchwork of solutions across the country; certain efforts have fallen short, certain efforts have made real progress, but none have resulted in a truly single market for Canadian goods, services, capital, and labour. The agriculture and mining, finance, food and textiles, and wholesale and retail sectors of the Canadian economy are some of the most interconnected and are ripe for liberalization. Policy solutions to this seemingly intractable issue do exist, having been adopted by federations around the world that have been faced with similar internal trade hang-ups. Mutual recognition agreements, regulatory harmonization initiatives, the greater empowerment of existing regulatory authorities and internal trading arrangements, and the modernization of key domestic public institutions would all help Canada to achieve the economic union that was first envisioned by the Fathers of Confederation. As with any direct interference in the free market, any government support that is directed to facilitate enhanced interprovincial trade would inevitably come with unintended consequences. However, the long-run socio-economic benefits to Canadians from all walks of life and Canada as a whole would outweigh any near-term economic disruptions. In the wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Canada will need to use every policy tool in its arsenal to service its massive levels of debt, support its aging population, and preserve its way of life for future generations.