Political Science Commons^™

Public Health Concerns Of Cannabis In Canada: Trends In Public Opinion Before And After Legalization, Cameron O'Dette

MA Major Research Papers

With the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis in Canada coming into effect on October 17th, 2018, Canada became just the second country in the world to legalize the longstanding prohibited substance after first being outlawed in 1923. While public opinion throughout the country had favoured the adoption of drug-law reformation for some time, limited data existed on the health-related implications and public perceptions of cannabis use before the legislation was introduced. With little to no well-documented evidence available to base their own public policy decisions on, the federal government under newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal …

Decolonizing ‘Femicide’ In International Frameworks: A Decolonial Feminist Approach, Hannah Diebold

MA Major Research Papers

Indigenous women are significantly overrepresented in homocide statistics in colonial states around the world. The term femicide is currently defined in international legal and political frameworks as ‘the killing of women and girls because of their gender.’ This definition, while seemingly straightforward, is limited by its racelessness and by the way colonial logic constructs gender. By deconstructing colonial logic, it becomes evident that the gender binary itself, is a colonial attempt to dehumanize the group which it terms ‘Indigenous women.’ My research evaluates solutions to decolonizing ‘femicide’ in international frameworks through an extensive literature review of decolonial feminist scholarship. The …

Local Government Response To Housing Unaffordability In Three Major Canadian Cities: A Study Of Vancouver, Calgary, And Toronto, Charlotte Kurs

MA Major Research Papers

In major cities globally, including those in Canada, many residents struggle to find affordable housing. Canadian municipalities have a growing role in responding to this issue. The objective of this paper is to investigate the municipal-level response to issues of housing affordability in three major Canadian cities: Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. Specifically, each city has committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing as one of its primary methods of responding to this issue. This paper provides an analysis and comparison of the goals set by each of the three case study municipalities and the real increases in affordable housing …

Trump Administration’S Drawdown Of Troops In Afghanistan Risks Putting Peace, Progress In The Country In Danger, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The conflict in Afghanistan remains one of the world's bloodiest, with ongoing violence from the Taliban, Islamic State, and al-Qaeda. Recent attacks, including a rocket barrage on Kabul's Green Zone and a massacre at Kabul University, underscore the volatile security situation. Despite the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement, the Taliban continue to conduct significant attacks. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) struggle to operate independently, necessitating continued support from U.S. and NATO forces. The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) and the U.S. Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS) provide essential training, advice, and counterterrorism support. However, the U.S. administration's plans for a …

Slimy Worms Or Sticky Kids: How Caregiving Tasks And Gender Identity Attenuate Disgust Response, Amanda Friesen, Aleksander Ksiazkiewicz

Political Science Publications

Disgust is derived from evolutionary processes to avoid pathogen contamination. Theories of gender differences in pathogen disgust utilize both evolutionary psychological and sociocultural perspectives. Drawing on research that suggests that masculine and feminine gender identities are somewhat orthogonal, we examine how gender identity intersects with pathogen disgust. In addition, building on evolutionary psychological and socio- cultural accounts of how caregiving and parental investment affect pathogen disgust, we present a new measure of caregiving disgust and compare its properties across gender, parental status, and political ideology with those of a conventional pathogen disgust measure. This registered report finds that how masculinity …

Administering A Ranked-Choice Voting Election: Lessons From London, Ontario, Charlotte Kurs

Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance – Publications

To elect its mayor and council in October of 2018, the City of London, Ontario used ranked-choice voting instead of the traditional first-past-the-post system; the first Canadian city in decades to use an alternative electoral system. London’s experience as the first Ontario municipality to implement ranked-choice voting allows it to offer its experience as a lesson to other municipalities that may be considering making changes to their voting systems.

From the Ontario government’s review of the Municipal Elections Act in 2016 through to the implementation of a ranked-ballot election in 2018, this report details the experience of City of London …

Pragmatic Conservative Nationalism: The Coalition Avenir Quebec, Joshua Nahmias

MA Major Research Papers

The Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) is a provincial political party that was founded in 2011 and formed the province’s government for the first time in 2018. The purpose of this major research project is to explain the origins and policy preferences of the CAQ. It will argue that the CAQ reflects a “pragmatic conservative nationalist” ideology, and that this is as much a result of a conscious political orientation as it is a necessity in Quebec’s politically moderate electoral landscape. The party is the ideological heir and the continuation of the centre-right faction of the Parti Québécois (PQ), most notably …

The Kids Are Alt-Right: A Review Of Authoritarian Attitudes In Young Adults, R. P. Mcdonald

MA Major Research Papers

The aim of this literature review will attempt to identify and establish a series of research avenues from the existing publications related to the study of authoritarianism that could be used to prepare the reader and researchers to identify the causal pathways that have led to the resurgence of latent racist attitudes among young white men in recent years. The first section of this paper will explore the historical origins of the study of authoritarian personality types through the work of Adorno, while paying close attention to the development of authoritarian attitudes rooted in early childhood experiences. The second section …

On Guard For Thee: Global Citizenship And Canada-U.S. Relations, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article explores the evolving dynamics between Canada and the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting divergent approaches and their implications for global perception. It contrasts Canada's cooperative, evidence-based response under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with U.S. policies characterized by isolationism and "me first" strategies. Canada's proactive humanitarian aid efforts, international solidarity initiatives, and commitment to sustainable development goals are emphasized as core elements of its global identity. The piece underscores Canada's bid for a UN Security Council seat, framing it as an opportunity to advocate for multilateralism and solidarity on the world stage.

After The Great Lockdown, Far-Sighted Global Cooperation Will Be Heralded And Lauded As Wise, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article argues against prioritizing military spending in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating instead for global cooperation and investment in human security and development. It critiques the allocation of resources towards defense capabilities, urging governments to redirect funds to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and employment to address economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. Highlighting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call to cease armed conflicts in favor of combating COVID-19 collectively, the piece emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift towards sustainable, cooperative solutions rather than militarization. It questions the effectiveness and ethical implications of continued military investments amid …

Canadians' Views About The 2019 Federal Election Process, Jacob Allin, Laura Stephenson, Allison Harell

Reports

No abstract provided.

We Don’T Know How This Virus Began, But We Know How We Can Learn From Our Response, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article examines the proliferation of conspiracy theories linking the COVID-19 pandemic to a laboratory release in China and discusses the credibility of these claims based on expert opinions and factual analysis. It highlights the international scrutiny and calls for strengthened adherence to the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BWC) to improve global cooperation and transparency in disease reporting. Emphasizing the need for rapid and transparent information sharing across borders, the piece advocates for enhanced international governance and preparedness measures to mitigate future biological threats effectively. It underscores the role of organizations like the United Nations and World Health Organization …

Political Attitudes Vary With Detection Of Androstenone, Amanda Friesen, Mike Gruszczynski, Kevin B. Smith, John R. Alford

Political Science Publications

Building on a growing body of research suggesting that political attitudes are part of broader individual and biological orientations, we test whether the detection of the hormone androstenone is predictive of political attitudes. The particular social chemical analyzed in this study is androstenone, a nonandrogenic steroid found in the sweat and saliva of many mammals, including humans. A primary reason for scholarly interest in odor detection is that it varies so dramatically from person to person. Using participants’ self-reported perceptions of androstenone intensity, together with a battery of survey items testing social and political preferences and orientations, this research supports …

How Do Populist Voters Rate Their Political Leaders? Comparing Citizen Assessments In Three Jurisdictions, Gerald Seijts, Cristine De Clercy

Political Science Publications

Drawing from the field of management studies, we explore how a sample of voters in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom use a leader character framework to judge political leadership. We ask, how do voters actually assess the character of their current leaders? And, in light of the populist zeitgeist, do people who hold a populist attitude differ markedly in how they judge the character of political leaders? Our results show that voters generally consider character important. However, voters who lean toward populism believe character matters less in political leadership than individuals who scored low on the populism …

Hybrid Warfare Nato’S Next Headache, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article discusses the rising challenge of hybrid warfare for NATO, which combines military and cyber attacks. All 29 NATO allies pledged at the 2014 Wales Summit to prepare for such threats, which can target critical infrastructure like banks, businesses, and government systems. Examples include Russia's alleged cyber attacks on Georgia and China's hacking of Equifax. NATO is enhancing its defenses by developing rapid-reaction cyber-defense teams and improving intelligence sharing. However, the complexity of attributing cyber attacks complicates the response. The article underscores the importance of resilience among member states and NATO's efforts to create common guidelines to counter these …

C-Dem Advisory Committee Meeting February 11, 2020, Consortium On Electoral Democracy

Meeting Notes

No abstract provided.

Ottawa Should Ditch F-35, Buy Better-Suited Super Hornets For Rcaf, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article discusses the Canadian government's consideration of replacing its aging CF-18 fleet with new fighter jets, evaluating options such as Lockheed Martin's F-35 and Boeing's Super Hornet. The F-35 is criticized for being a single-engine aircraft, which poses risks for Arctic patrols and has faced issues with reliability, maintenance, and cost. In contrast, the Super Hornet is presented as a more suitable option due to its twin-engine design, economic benefits, and better alignment with Canada's defense needs. The article advocates for the purchase of the Super Hornet, highlighting its advantages in terms of maintenance cost savings and economic benefits …

We Lost The Security Council Vote In 21 Seconds. Now What?, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The articles reflects on Canada's recent bid for a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approach and the international community's response. It critiques Trudeau's diplomatic pause regarding U.S. President Donald Trump and argues that Canada's loss of the seat was due to perceived hesitation and lack of assertiveness on global issues like COVID-19, inclusion, and nuclear proliferation. The piece advocates for Canada to increase its international development aid, bolster peacekeeping efforts, and take a stronger stance on disarmament to enhance its global influence and reputation.

C-Dem Annual Report 2020, Allison Harell, Laura Stephenson

Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Does Canada Meet International Standards On Employment Rights For Migrant Workers? An Analysis Of The Effects Of Labour Market Inequality, Ria Haque

MA Major Research Papers

The goal of this paper is to carefully assess the international standards of labour and the effects of the rise in labour market inequality specifically in Canada while also looking at what is going on in China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as case studies. By analyzing empirical and qualitative data, this paper ultimately concludes that the dominant explanation and interpretation of related literature in this subject depicts a broad sense of injustice to migrant workers who are only increasing internationally. These migrant workers face countless hardships while only pursuing jobs in foreign countries in the attempts of going …

Theories Of Foucault And Agamben: The Issues Of Borders And Sovereignty”, Melinda Ann Callahan

MA Major Research Papers

Michel Foucault and Giorgio Agamben have developed theoretical lenses for depicting how we should understand individuals in sovereign states, and the way in which these states interact with said individuals. Through an approach that assesses the framework of biology, race and ethnicity contribute to the notions of biopolitics and of ‘bare life,’ and exemplifies the constructs of how discrimination against the ‘other’ is embedded in western thought. These systematic processes are utilized through notions of biopower and the ‘state of exception’ as a means of maintaining hierarchical power structures. This paper will be assessing the role of the international in …

The Effects Of Invasive Border Security Policies On Vulnerable Communities Today, Salena Halbouni

MA Major Research Papers

The following literature review is grounded in a case of a Syrian/Canadian man of the name Maher Arar who was wrongly convicted of having associations with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda.5 The purpose of the case is to highlight flaws within counterterrorism policies and strategies. Despite the government’s attempts at protecting innocent civilians, it has also created many challenges for those in office with respect to protecting civil and human rights. As previously mentioned, in an attempt to overcome such challenges it is essential to implement safeguards within practices, and policies to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable.

The Sino-Lankan Relationship: Challenging Liberal Foundations Of Transitional Justice, Thurka Brabaharan

MA Major Research Papers

Sri Lanka continues to demonstrate the challenges of implementing legitimate transitional justice mechanisms in a post-conflict state ruled by its victors. While the island-nation of Sri Lanka has managed to sustain relative peace for over a decade, the government’s outstanding human rights record remains a concern for the country’s minority ethnic groups. While there is substantial evidence against the Sri Lankan Army to validate the human rights abuses and war crimes alleged by Tamil civilians, little has been done to hold these individuals accountable. Within the sphere of liberal international order, a victor’s peace, such as Sri Lanka’s, would likely …

C-Dem Researchers Meeting Notes, November 10, 2019, Consortium On Electoral Democracy

Meeting Notes

No abstract provided.

Kurds’ Plight A Result Of Failures All Around: An Elderly Mother’S Anguish Brings Home The Points About The Wisdom Of Canada’S Defence Spending, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article highlights the plight of the Kurds in Syria, exacerbated by Turkey's military offensive and the broader geopolitical failures surrounding the conflict. It criticizes the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, which enabled Turkey's attack on the Kurdish forces, formerly allies against ISIS. The article argues that NATO's inability to respond effectively due to its consensus rules has allowed potential genocide and ethnic cleansing by Turkey. It also critiques Canada's response, emphasizing the need for better investment in defense capabilities and peace support missions. The piece underscores the broader implications of these failures on international law and human rights, calling for …

Terrorism And Its Legal Aftermath: The Limits On Freedom Of Expression In Canada’S Anti-Terrorism Act & National Security Act, Percy Sherwood

FIMS Publications

This analysis aims to demonstrate how s. 83.221 in Bill C-51 is likely to violate freedom of expression guaranteed under the Charter. The first section employs the two-step Irwin Toy analysis to show that the speech offense infringes upon s. 2(b) of the Charter. The second section uses the Oakes test to determine whether the breach of freedom of expression is a reasonable limit. On whether the speech offense can be justified under s. 1 of the Charter as a reasonable limit, the legislation fails at the third and fourth step of the Oakes test. Section three of this paper …

A Deal With No Peace: Us-Taliban Deal Will Not By Itself Bring About Civilians’ Hope For An End To Afghanistan’S Long-Running War, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article examines the recent U.S.-Taliban agreement reached in Doha, which aims to initiate a phased withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan and pave the way for peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Despite the historic nature of the agreement, there are significant concerns about its effectiveness in ending the long-running conflict. The Taliban have stated they will continue their fight against the Afghan government, raising doubts about lasting peace. The article highlights the geopolitical motivations behind the agreement, including the upcoming U.S. elections and Afghan general elections. It also discusses the historical context of …

Children Caught In A ‘Net: As Online Threats To Children Multiply, Challenges For Parents Increase, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article emphasizes that simple software and blocking methods can give parents a false sense of security online, as children can easily bypass these measures. Instead, it advocates for open communication and active digital supervision by caregivers.

It calls for increased efforts from law enforcement and anti-abuse groups to monitor dark web activities and combat pedophilia. Despite legitimate uses, the majority of traffic on hidden internet services involves child abuse materials.

The need for more research is highlighted to understand offender trends and the dynamics of child victimization. This includes studying relationships between victims and their abusers.

To The Moral High Ground: Canada Has Little Hope Of A Seat On The Un Security Council Unless Its Record On Arms Sales, Peacekeeping And International Development Improves, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article discusses Canada's candidacy for a UN Security Council seat amid challenges and criticisms regarding its international contributions. It highlights Canada's efforts in peacekeeping and development aid, contrasting them with countries like Ireland and Norway. Issues such as arms exports to Saudi Arabia and Canada's stance on nuclear disarmament treaties are also scrutinized. The article suggests that Canada's election outcomes and foreign policy decisions will significantly impact its chances at the UN.

A New York State Of Infrastructure: Stuck In Traffic During Last Saturday’S Blackout, Erika Simpson Ponders Vulnerable Infrastructure, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article recounts a chaotic evening in New York City during a widespread blackout affecting lower west Manhattan. As thousands were stranded in darkness due to an electrical failure, initially thought to be caused by a fire in a manhole, concerns about infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness were heightened. The incident underscored the vulnerability of urban electrical grids, prompting reflections on the city's readiness for emergencies like terrorist attacks and climate-related disruptions. Despite disruptions to Broadway and other events, the city showed resilience, highlighting the importance of robust infrastructure and emergency planning in urban centers.