From the right approach in health care and border security, to domestic and foreign policy, Canadians and Americans have our differences of opinion. We also have much in common.
Those shared and conflicting values and policies, and how they affect both countries will be at the heart of work at The University of Western Ontario's newly established Canada-U.S. Institute. It is the first Canadian institute/think tank dedicated solely to the study of the relationship between our two countries.
Approvals are in place and in the coming days and months, the Institute will begin the search for a location, go live with a website, explore funding opportunities, and build on already strong relationships and partnerships.
Don Abelson, who is Director of Western's Centre for American Studies and Chair of the Department of Political Science, has been coordinating the formation of the Institute. He says it will provide Canadians with non-partisan expertise on a country that will always be our most important partner and ally, and it will help people in both countries better understand each other.
"Despite criticisms we often launch at our neighbour, geography, history and the economy will never allow us to escape this relationship, so we must understand what makes the U.S. tick," says Abelson. "The Institute will also help us understand how Canada can best advance its own national interests."
Abelson credits Western President Amit Chakma for his vision for this Institute. Chakma believes there are great opportunities ahead for Western to place its stamp on the world, and it all begins with internal, national and international collaboration.
"Western already has broad and deep expertise in a number of aspects of the Canada-U.S. relationship," says Chakma. "The Canada-U.S. Institute will allow us to harness this knowledge, to advance it, and to showcase and share it nationally and around the world."
The Institute encompasses three existing Western research centres and five faculties:
- The Centre for American Studies (Faculty of Social Science)
- The Canada-U.S. Law Institute (Faculty of Law)
- The Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management (Richard Ivey School of Business)
- The faculties of Arts & Humanities and Information & Media Studies
Research, policy and education are the goals of the Institute, Abelson says, with a focus on the political, economic, legal, cultural and historical dimensions of the Canada-U.S. relationship. A Centre for public opinion and voting behaviour will also be developed at the Institute.
"We'll not just assign specific research to single faculties, but rather we will identify themes that are important and enduring such as international environmental cooperation, international human rights and international trade. Then we will bring together people who can offer different perspectives on these themes."
The first research under the auspices of the Institute is already under way. Researchers Laura Stephenson and Cameron Anderson have begun a study focusing on the perceptions and attitudes of Canadians toward the U.S., and American attitudes toward Canada. Results of that research will be released in April.
Contact:
Don Abelson, Director Centre for American Studies 519-661-4185
Ann Hutchison, Director, Media Relations, 519-661-2111 x85468
