Research publications

This document provides an overview of the various factors and players that shape Canada’s immigration policy, sheds light on the legislative framework and the roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government, and presents a few of the essential components and instruments in this field.

The deceased organ donor rate in Canada is lower than that of top-performing countries, but Canada’s rate has improved in recent years. Although the gap between the number of Canadians awaiting organ transplants and the number of organs available has narrowed, further increases in organ donation will be necessary to meet demand. Initiatives to improve the organ donation and transplantation system include organ and tissue donor registries, national wait lists of patients, and the collection and storage of cord blood rich in stem cells. Another initiative that may help to optimize the deceased organ donor rate is presumed consent, whereby all individuals are considered for organ donation after death unless they register their refusal during their lifetime. This paper provides an overview of the jurisdictional considerations in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, and it lists the related federal and provincial/territorial legislation. It goes on to describe several strategies that can increase the number of organs and tissues available for donation and that improve procedures for matching available organs with people on the waiting list.

In Canada, at least 10 million individuals were food insecure in 2024, according to Statistics Canada; however, this data does not take into account people who live on First Nations reserves, in some remote areas and in the territories. Yet, due to several factors, Northerners – in particular, women, children and Indigenous peoples – are more at risk of experiencing food insecurity than are people living elsewhere in the country. The situation has a substantial impact on their health and well-being. This paper provides a brief overview of the factors that contribute to food insecurity in northern Canada and the resulting consequences. Additionally, it looks at initiatives that directly or indirectly address this issue.

This HillStudy provides an overview of the key institutions and instruments that govern citizenship in Canada and describes the process for obtaining citizenship. It also reviews several policy issues pertaining to Canadian citizenship, including citizenship rates, loss of citizenship and birth on Canadian soil to foreign nationals.

Canada’s cooperation with the United States of America on matters relating to people claiming refugee protection has been a subject of significant debate over the past several decades. This paper provides an overview of the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for cooperation in the examination of refugee status claims from nationals of third countries, commonly referred to as the Canada–U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). It examines the fundamental aspects of the STCA, the historical and international context of the safe third country concept, and the legal challenges that the STCA has faced since its implementation. It also considers potential changes to the agreement in light of recent increases in irregular border crossings, the temporary border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing challenge to the constitutionality of the STCA.

Since 2017, most refugees resettled to Canada enter under private sponsorship rather than as government-assisted refugees. As a result of the success of the private sponsorship program, the Government of Canada, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and others, spearheads the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI), an international project sharing best practices with other countries interested in implementing a private refugee sponsorship model. This Hill Study provides an overview of Canada’s refugee resettlement programs, and outlines eligibility for resettlement and the different programs in place for resettlement in Canada. It also discusses the role that resettlement plays in international agreements like the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and examines Canada’s role in the GRSI. The paper concludes with a consideration of some of the challenges regarding refugee resettlement in the current Canadian context.

In Canada’s criminal justice system, people are sometimes found guilty of crimes that they did not commit. These errors are known as wrongful convictions. This HillStudy discusses the history of wrongful convictions in Canada and the establishment of the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission.

Organ transplantation surgery has saved countless lives since its advent in the 1950s. As the techniques and technologies used in transplantation medicine improve, positive outcomes for donors and recipients are increasing. Demand for this treatment, however, far exceeds organ availability. The desperate need for organ transplantation surgeries has given rise to a lucrative, transnational criminal enterprise that enables organ seekers to purchase organs from donors. This enterprise, commonly referred to as organ trafficking, is a global phenomenon. This HillStudy provides an overview of organ trafficking and the Canadian perspective on this illicit activity. It identifies key terms, lays out some of the main issues, and summarizes actions taken by Canada and the international community to combat organ trafficking.

Aquaculture production has seen important increases over the past 40 years, both in Canada and worldwide. British Columbia leads Canada’s finfish production (principally salmon), while Prince Edward Island leads the country’s shellfish production (principally mussels). In 2023, 145,985 tonnes of seafood were produced by Canada’s aquaculture sector, valued at more than $1.2 billion, contributing to the local economies of many small and coastal communities. The regulatory framework of Canada’s aquaculture industry is shared between the federal and provincial governments. Further complicating matters is the fact that certain regulatory responsibilities can vary by province. In addition to recent regulatory reforms, a federal Aquaculture Act has been proposed to help clarify the division of powers and to simplify the regulatory regime both for industry and the public. While draft provisions have been shared publicly by the Government of Canada, no new federal Act has been tabled in Parliament. In addition to regulatory uncertainty, Canada’s aquaculture industry also continues to face challenges, including concern over environmental impacts, negative public perceptions and global competition. However, many opportunities, such as emerging technologies, increased Indigenous participation and industry transparency, are key issues for stakeholders. Aquaculture has been part of Canada’s economy for decades and environmentally sound aquaculture could contribute to the further development of Canada’s sustainable ocean economy, also called the “blue” economy.

Opioid-related harms have reached crisis proportions in many countries, including Canada. This HillStudy offers an introduction to selected health aspects of the opioid crisis in Canada. It includes some key statistics, considerations related to the impact of the crisis on different groups of people, and information about recent federal initiatives and activities in the Parliament of Canada intended to address the crisis.