Fifty years ago, the Canada West Foundation was established by thoughtful Canadians from across the West and across political perspectives with a shared goal to amplify the West’s distinct voice, and in turn, help build a stronger Canada.

Join us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary

Funding health expenditures is a major source of tension in the Canadian federation. Comprising between 30-50% of annual provincial budgets, healthcare is the largest single expenditure for provinces and territories. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the sustainability of health expenditures was under increasing pressure from an aging population. The pandemic has added further strain.

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Alberta’s inactive oil and gas well sites are prime candidates to be repurposed for new energy developments that will benefit landowners, local communities and the public and help Alberta welcome new energy entrepreneurs. But first, the province must signal that solving regulatory roadblocks to developing these sites is a priority, according to a new joint report from the Energy Futures Lab and Canada West Foundation, the LEAD Project: Leveraging Our Energy Assets for Diversification.

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In a federation the size and scope of Canada, the topic of fiscal inequalities among the provinces is especially fraught. With a referendum on equalization set for the fall in Alberta, the issue has heated up once again. Author Mary Janigan makes the case that a willingness to share financial resources is in fact the real tie that has bound the federation together into the twenty-first century. Join Janigan and our expert panel for a discussion and Q and A session

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