The MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance launched at AV俱乐部 five years ago with the aim of energizing and informing progressive public policy education, ideas and debates in Canada and abroad 鈥� inspired at its core by the values of the late Honourable Allan J. MacEachen.
Now, as the institute looks back on its first half decade and marks the 100th anniversary of MacEachen鈥檚 birth today (July 6), it does so with a great deal of success in living up to its mission of encouraging greater citizen engagement. To date, the institute has hosted more than 100 panel and roundtable events, drawing over 8,500 attendees.
鈥淲e have been gratified by the community response,鈥� says Kevin Quigley, scholarly director of the MacEachen Institute. 鈥淲e started our public policy series, Policy Matters, in a graduate class and opened it up to the public. By the second year, we had to bring extra chairs into the classroom to meet community demand and by the third year, we had to move into the biggest classroom in the Rowe Building: it was chock-a-block.鈥�
Dr. Quigley says the institute鈥檚 success has also been reflected in its ability to help shape debates on local and national issues.
鈥淥ur goal from the start has been to connect local issues with national policy debates and connect national policy debates with local issues,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are also featured regularly in the local and national press. It all speaks to the appetite on campus and across the community for good public policy discussion, on climate change to reconciliation, from cyber security during the federal election to paying for recreational infrastructure.鈥�
See also: (MacEachen Institute brochure)
A better life for all Canadians
The MacEachen Institute was established in the name of Allan J. MacEachen, one of Canada鈥檚 greatest parliamentarians who arose from humble beginnings in Inverness, Cape Breton.
He was born on July 6, 1921, his father a coal miner and his mother a homemaker. He grew up during the great depression and lost siblings to an epidemic, informing what would become his life鈥檚 work to create a better life for all Canadians.
MacEachen was first elected to office in 1953 and right away proved to be a force in Canadian politics. He led the charge in designing social programs such as the labour code, minimum wage standards, the Health Resources Fund, the Canada Assistance Plan, and the Old Age Security Act.
Right, MacEachen giving the budget speech in 1982 as minister of finance. (Photo contributed by Robert Patillo)
But his most notable achievement, perhaps, was championing the Medical Care Act in 1966 as Minister of National Health and Welfare.
MacEachen brought Medicare through a challenging environment of both strident opposition and support.
鈥淢r. MacEachen had a passionate and long-standing commitment to a 鈥榰niversal, prepaid government sponsored scheme鈥� available to all Canadians regardless of their ability to pay,鈥� says Dr. Joanne Langley, a professor of pediatrics and community health and epidemiology at AV俱乐部.
鈥淗is unique role in ensuring citizens have access to Medicare is probably not known to many, but it is a story of determination, patience and perseverance. His service led to a universal comprehensive health insurance program that Canadians see as reflecting our values of equality and fairness.鈥�
A renewed focus for MacEachen's legacy
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, questions surrounding the adequacy of healthcare in Canada came into national focus.
MacEachen had a vision to provide equal and affordable care to all Canadians. The task now is to consider what that means in the current context, 55 years after the Medical Care Act was introduced.
On July 6, 2021, at 4 pm ADT, the MacEachen Institute is hosting a special event in commemoration of the legacy of Allan J. MacEachen.
The event will feature an address by Dr. Langley followed by panel discussion featuring the Honourable Anne McLellan, Darrell Dexter, Jason Shannon, Dr. Samir Sinha, and Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed. The 1.5-hour event will close with a commemorative video and reflections on the legacy of Allan MacEachen by Dr. Thomas Axworthy.
and visit dal.ca/mipp more for information.