Public Policy Forum

The Public Policy Forum
Abbreviation PPF
Formation 1987
Type Public policy think tank
Headquarters Suite 1405, 130 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4
Key people David J. Mitchell
President & CEO
Website www.ppforum.ca

The Public Policy Forum (PPF), is an independent, non-profit Canadian think-tank for public-private dialogue [1]. The organization's stated aim is "to serve as a neutral, independent forum for open dialogue on public policy"[2]

The Forum was founded in 1987 in Calgary[2], based upon the belief that good government cannot be left to government alone. The Forum was created to bring private sector business leaders together with senior public servants to discuss how they could work together more effectively. The PPF has now grown to more than 180 members from business, federal and provincial governments, academia, organized labour and the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors, each dedicated to building better government in Canada. In 2012 the Forum will mark its 25th anniversary[2].

David J. Mitchell became its newest president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2009.[3]

Contents

Activities

The PPF functions primarily as an independent, non-partisan facilitator of multi-sector dialogue. The Forum has more than 180 member organizations drawn from business, labour, academia, government, the voluntary sector, and the media who help to shape the organization's objectives and policy priorities.[2]

Convening

In conjunction with members and partners from all sectors, the PPF convenes dialogues aimed at producing actionable outcomes in key policy areas, such as: innovation, public engagement, public service and governance.

Research

The PPF regularly produces and publishes research and reports in areas related to its policy dialogues. The Forum also conducts original research in areas such as public service innovation and government leadership.

Signature Events

Throughout the year the PPF hosts gatherings of senior leadership from all sectors to celebrate excellence in public policy leadership. Three events run annually across Canada: The Testimonial Dinner (Toronto, April), The Western Dinner (Various western cities, September), and the Gordon Osbaldeston Lecture (Ottawa, November). Awards given at these events are adjudicated by PPF, based upon submissions by member organizations.

Awards

Recipients of the Annual Testimonial Awards active in Canadian politics have included Bob Rae, Preston Manning, William Davis and Roy Romanow. According to the PPF website, the award pays "tribute to distinguished Canadians who have made an outstanding contribution to the quality of public policy and public management in our country."[4] The 2011 Testimonial Dinner was held on April 28th 2011.

List of Recent Award Recipients

Year Recipient Name
2011 Hon. William G. Davis
Gordon Nixon
Monique F. Leroux
Jim Stanford
André Picard
Victor T. Thomas
2010 Tony Dean
Phil Fontaine
Preston Manning
Carole Taylor
2009 Jim Balsillie
Mike Lazaridis
Jacques Ménard
Georgina Steinsky-Schwartz
2008 David A. Dodge
Gerri Sinclair
Sheila Watt-Cloutier
2007 20th Anniversary
2006 Georges Erasmus
Louise Frechette
Hon. Bob Rae
2005 Monique Bégin
Bob White
Michael Wilson
2004 Rita Burak
Denis Desautels
Roy Romanow
Allan Shaw

Earlier award recipients

References

External references