As a new U.S. administration issues repeated threats to impose punishing tariffs on Canadian exports, the IRPP hosted a panel discussion on how to address the intersecting affordability and climate crises.
Increasing costs from extreme weather events, uncertainty about energy and supply chains and added pressure on already inadequate infrastructure and housing mean new, comprehensive solutions are needed to keep Canadians safe. The panel focused on how to protect households from the rising cost of living, how to minimize the impacts of extreme weather events and how to keep affordable food on the table.
Hosted in partnership with the Affordability Action Council, the panel featured Tyler Meredith, former economic policy adviser to the Liberal government, Kathleen Monk, former director of communications to NDP leader Jack Layton, and Karen Restoule, vice-president of Toronto-based Crestview Strategy. The discussion was moderated by IRPP president and CEO Jennifer Ditchburn.
PANELISTS
Tyler Meredith Founding Partner, Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips
Helping oversee Canada’s economic response to COVID-19, Tyler Meredith witnessed firsthand how solid non-partisan policy saved jobs, businesses, and lives during one of the most critical times in Canadian history. Tyler is intent on bringing the same strong policy acumen to supporting clients across Canada and creating superior policy-based solutions.
Kathleen Monk Principal, Monk + Associates
Kathleen Monk is a public affairs and campaign consultant with over 20 years of experience in journalism, politics and the non-profit sector. When not assessing the state of progressive politics, or working to raise her two boys, Kathleen is Principal at Monk & Associates dedicating her energies to advocacy campaigns, issues management, and guiding public affairs strategy.
Karen Restoule Vice-President, Crestview Strategy
Karen Restoule is a bilingual strategist and communications specialist. She is an expert at fostering collaboration among parties by identifying common goals and objectives to bring divergent views together to develop partnerships and shared success. She offers clients expertise in organisational governance, transformational leadership, change management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
MODERATOR
Jennifer Ditchburn President and CEO, IRPP
Jennifer Ditchburn is the President and CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy. She is a not-for-profit sector executive and seasoned communicator working to make complex public policy issues and politics better understood by Canadians. From 2016 to 2021, she was the Editor-in-Chief of the IRPP’s influential digital magazine, Policy Options.
