Category Archives: Canadian Studies Program UC Berkeley

Here’s what happened at the 2025 ACSUS Conference!

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A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.

Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

Canadian Studies News

• Berkeley scholars take center stage at national Canadian Studies conference

Upcoming Events

• Panel: Canada at a Crossroads: Evaluating the Carney Government’s First Nine Months

External Events

• Fall 2025 International Student Travel & Immigration Updates

CANADIAN STUDIES NEWS

Berkeley Scholars Take Center Stage at National Canadian Studies Conference

Canadianists from all over North America converged in Seattle last week for the 27th Biennial Conference of the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS). ACSUS is the major interdisciplinary network in the United States dedicated to advancing understanding of Canada’s politics, culture, and international relations, as well as the bilateral relationship between our two countries. This year’s ACSUS conference brought together scholars, students, and practitioners to exchange ideas in nearly fifty sessions showcasing cutting-edge research on Canada and the Canada-US relationship.

We are proud to report that Berkeley was an integral part of that effort. We sponsored a formal contingent of five attendees, including three Hildebrand Fellows, two of whom were official speakers. Several board members and affiliates also attended, many of whom either also spoke or helped moderate discussions.

On Friday, our own Britt Leake (PhD can., Political Science) opened Session 1, “Politics and Public Policy Student Colloquium”, with a presentation titled “The Charlottetown Accord, Strategic Ambiguity, and the Dangers of Excessive Specificity in Constitutional Compromise”. Based on political science theory that posits a tradeoff between broad acceptance and deep agreement, Britt argued that Canada’s failed attempt to create a constitution that addressed specific concerns by various groups within Canadian society paradoxically made it more difficult to get widespread agreement on the document. Instead, he argued that Canada should have focused on high-level values that were flexible enough to allow for nuanced, distinct interpretations.

Lydia Mathews (PhD student, History) presented during Session 2, “Student Colloquium: Reflections on Canada’s Past”. Her talk, “Pure Milk in Montreal: Scientific Mothering Across the US-Canadian Border” looked at the creation of milk stations for nursing mothers during the Progressive Era, as part of an effort to “modernize” mothering and combat infant mortality. Lydia’s presentation situated Canada within an international network of social reformers that stretched throughout the British Empire and United States. She also demonstrated how concerns about hygiene related to Anglo-Canadian and American anxieties about immigration, disease, and social class.
Two Canadian Studies board members played a key role during the ACSUS Awards Luncheon and Enders Symposium on Friday. First, Dr. Christopher Sands (Johns Hopkins Center for Canadian Studies) received the 2025 ICCS Certificate of Merit for his “sustained, diverse, and significant contributions to the advancement of the understanding of Canada and the furtherance of Canadian Studies”. Afterwards, Dr. Kathrine Richardson, a professor of Geography and Urban & Regional Planning at San José State University, joined a panel discussing the current state and future of US-Canada relations under the second Trump administration.

Following lunch, Professor Richardson gave a talk as part of Session 4, “Cross-Border Relationships in the 21st Century”, titled “The Cascadia Innovation Corridor: The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in the Making of a North American Innovative Cross-border Region”. Drawing on her own research, she explored the extent to which an integrated economy does or could exist between the cities of the Pacific Northwest, with a special focus on Vancouver and Seattle. Integration between these dynamic economic centers would bring greater development to the entire region. However, despite efforts by local and regional governments and corporations such as Microsoft, she found that integration was still limited by borders and national policy.
Our newest faculty affiliate, Professor Cheryl Suzack (Ethnic Studies), was scheduled to speak during Session 8 on Saturday, but was unfortunately unable to attend.

On Saturday evening, conference attendees enjoyed a reception sponsored by Canadian Studies at Berkeley through the generosity of our board members. We extend our profound gratitude to board chair emeritus David and Margaret Stewart; Dr. Kathrine Richardson and Dave S. Rayat; and Pavan Dhillon. Our program director, Professor Hidetaka Hirota, took the opportunity to introduce himself and our Berkeley community with a short speech.

On Sunday, Professor Hirota closed out the tenth and final session of the conference, “Immigration and Border Crossings”. In addition to moderating the panel, Professor Hirota gave the concluding talk, “American Immigration Restriction, Canadian Retaliation: Tension Over Migrant Labor between Canada and the United States in the Late Nineteenth Century”. He discussed how Canada tried to deal with US immigration policy that was hostile to Canadian workers on the theory that they depressed wages. Canada’s government walked a fine line between applying symbolic retaliatory measures against the United States, while at the same time being constrained by its dependence on immigration to maintain economic growth during the period.
At a time when area studies programs broadly are facing new pressures, the vitality of our Berkeley community stands out. Our participation in this conference not only increased the visibility of our program, it also offered crucial professional growth opportunities, particularly for our student attendees. By meeting not only established scholars, but nearly 30 other young Canadianists just starting their careers, they planted the seeds of critical future relationships. And our student presentations, which received glowing feedback, helped demonstrate the program’s strength in fostering a new generation of young scholars. We return to Berkeley with new insights, connections, and a fresh enthusiasm for our work. We look forward to working alongside ACSUS to build an ever-broader network of Canadianists, and can’t wait for the next conference!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Panel: Canada at a Crossroads: Evaluating the Carney Government’s First Nine Months

Tues., Dec. 2 | 12:30 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP

When Mark Carney won the 2025 Canadian Federal election, he assumed leadership of a nation facing multiple structural problems and widespread discontent. Canadians had united against threats from the United States, but major debates remained over issues such as housing costs, immigration, and Canada’s stagnant economy. During the campaign, Carney distanced the Liberal Party from its Trudeau-era platform and promised to be a steady hand to deliver urgently needed reform. Nine months on, how well is the Carney government delivering on those promises? Join our panel representing Canada’s major political parties as they debate Carney’s performance in tackling the country’s most pressing challenges.

About the Panelists

Andrew Bevan is the CEO of the strategy firm Catalyze4. He was the campaign co-director for the Liberal campaign in the 2025 federal election. With over 30 years of public service experience, he previously served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada.

Parm Kahlon is a founding partner and strategist at Core Firm. She served as Special Assistant to Alberta premier Rachel Notley, and worked with various MLAs with the BC NDP. She has also served as managing director for UFCW 1518, one of British Columbia’s oldest and largest unions.

Jordan Paquet is the vice-president of Bluesky Strategy Group. Over the course of his nearly 20-year career, he has worked in across multiple levels of Canadian government, including the Prime Minister’s Office under the Stephen Harper; as Principal Secretary to Conservative Opposition leader Rona Ambrose; and most recently as the Chief of Staff in Prince Edward Island’s Government Members Office.
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Bluma Appel Fund, the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, and The Porter O’Brien Agency.

This event will have a remote attendance option via Zoom. Please select the “virtual attendance” in the RSVP form to receive the link.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event, please let us know with as much advance notice as possible by emailing canada@berkeley.edu.

EXTERNAL EVENTS
Fall 2025 International Student Travel & Immigration Updates

Wed., Nov. 19 | 3:00 pm | Online | RSVP

Join the Berkeley International Office’s Assistant Director for Student Services for a review of Fall/Winter Break Travel and current immigration updates.

  • Travel: Learn about what to expect when traveling abroad and re-entering the U.S including: current concerns & risks, when a visa stamp is needed (and when it is not), documents you need to travel and re-enter the US, visa application process and timelines, security clearances, and travel to Canada and Mexico.
  • Immigration Updates: This session also includes a brief year-end review of F/J immigration changes since January 2025 and looks ahead to what we know of the immigration policy agenda for 2026.

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US

ACSUS conference this week; Grad fellow publishes research on housing costs

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A newsletter from one of our fellow Canadian organizations in the Bay Area.

Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

Canadian Studies News

• Canadian Studies affiliates headed to 2025 ACSUS Biennial Conference

• Hildebrand Fellow Taesoo Song publishes research on Foreign Buyer Taxes and housing affordability

News from Canada

• Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald, fifty years on

Academic Opportunities

• Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship

Upcoming Events

• Panel: Canada at a Crossroads: Evaluating the Carney Government’s First Nine Months

External Events

• Simon Fraser University’s 60th Anniversary Alumni Reception in Silicon Valley

CANADIAN STUDIES NEWS

Canadian Studies Affiliates Headed to 2025 ACSUS Biennial Conference

Several members of the Berkeley Canadian Studies community will be heading to Seattle later this week for the 27th Biennial Conference of the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS). ACSUS is the major interdisciplinary network in the United States dedicated to advancing understanding of Canada’s politics, culture, and international relations, as well as the bilateral relationship between our two countries. Every two years, the ACSUS conference brings together scholars, students, and practitioners from across North America to exchange ideas and showcase research on Canada’s past, present, and future.

This year’s conference will be held November 13-16. We’re pleased to announce that several members of the Canadian Studies Program at UC Berkeley will be participating in ACSUS this year. We invite any readers who will be attending to connect with our Berkeley scholars in Seattle. We issue a special invitation to join us at the Evening Reception on Saturday, November 15, which is proudly sponsored by the Canadian Studies Program and our generous friends.

Stay tuned for more information and an event recap next week!

Faculty and Affiliates

Hidetaka Hirota (History, UC Berkeley)

Chairing and presenting in the panel “Immigration and Border Crossings,” Professor Hirota’s paper, “American Immigration Restriction, Canadian Retaliation: Tension Over Migrant Labor between Canada and the United States in the Late Nineteenth Century,” explores the intertwined histories of immigration control and labor policy between the two countries.

Kathrine Richardson (Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies, San José State University)

Professor Richardson is a member of the Canadian Studies advisory board. She will be participating in the panel “Cross-Border Relationships in the 21st Century”, where she will present “The Cascadia Innovation Corridor: The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in the Making of a North American Innovative Cross-border Region”.

Cheryl Suzack (Ethnic Studies, UC Berkeley,)

Professor Suzack is a new affiliate of Canadian Studies, who joined the UC Berkeley faculty this year from the University of Toronto. She will present “Blockades, Self-Help Remedies, and Indigenous Opposition: When is it Legally Permissible for Indigenous Peoples to use Direct Action to Prevent Resource Extraction in Their Territories?” Her research, at the intersection of law and Indigenous studies, offers a timely examination of Indigenous legal resistance to environmental exploitation in Canada.

In addition, board member Dr. Christopher Sands (Johns Hopkins Center for Canadian Studies) will receive the 2025 ICCS Certificate of Merit for his “sustained, diverse, and significant contributions to the advancement of the understanding of Canada and the furtherance of Canadian Studies”.

Graduate Fellows

Britt Leake (Political Science, UC Berkeley)

Britt will be a panelist in the Politics and Public Policy Student Colloquium. Britt will be presenting his paper titled “Trudeau and Mulroney, Habermas and Rawls: Rethinking Changing Visions of Canadian Nationhood and Political Legitimacy”, based on research funded by his 2023 Hildebrand Fellowship.

Lydia Mathews (History, UC Berkeley)

Lydia will participate in “Student Colloquium: Reflections on Canada’s Past”. She will present “Pure Milk in Montreal: Scientific Mothering Across the US-Canadian Border”. Her presentation, based on her 2024 Hildebrand Fellowship research, highlights the intersections of science and politics in the US-Canada relationship.

Canadian Studies is also sponsoring recent Hildebrand Fellow Jessica Jiang (Ethnic Studies, UC Berkeley) to attend as part of her ongoing research into interactions between Chinese and Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Hildebrand Fellow Taesoo Song Publishes Research on Foreign Buyer Taxes and Housing Affordability

Have taxes on noncitizen buyers made Canada’s real estate more affordable? That’s the question UC Berkeley graduate student Taesoo Song set out to answer when he applied for a Canadian Studies Hildebrand Fellowship in 2022.

Taesoo, now a PhD candidate in City & Regional Planning, has recently published his findings in his new article in the Journal of Urban Affairs, “Anti-immigration and the politics of housing affordability: Examining the evolution and housing market impacts of Foreign Buyer Taxes in British Columbia and Ontario“.

Foreign Buyer Taxes (FBTs) were introduced in Canada as a proposal to cool runaway price growth in the real estate sector amid growing concerns over housing unaffordability. Taesoo, who specializes in housing and land use policy as well as how cities manage immigration, not only questioned the effectiveness of these taxes, but also the reasons why Canadian politicians supported them over other policy tools.

Taesoo’s Hildebrand Fellowship funded his travel to Toronto to conduct fieldwork. There, he met with other Canadian researchers addressing housing issues as well as real estate agents. Taesoo worked closely with Karen Chapple, a former Berkeley professor who is the current director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto. He also received project guidance from former Canadian Studies director Irene Bloemraad.

In his article, Taesoo draws on media and policy discourses to show how FBTs gained political traction through racialized narratives that narrowly framed foreign – especially Chinese – buyers as key culprits of unaffordability, deflecting attention from broader structural issues in the housing market that enabled speculation. This framing enabled governments to avoid more politically sensitive reforms implicating domestic investors and homeowners.

By examining quantitative housing market data, Taesoo finds that FBTs were associated with a decline in homeownership among immigrants without Canadian citizenship or permanent residency in affected regions, with no significant improvements in rental affordability. Altogether, the findings suggest that provincial governments may have adopted FBTs as a political expediency to signal government action on the housing crisis while sidestepping structural drivers of unaffordability in their housing markets.

NEWS FROM CANADA

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald, 50 Years On

Today, November 10, marks the fiftieth anniversary of one of the worst maritime disasters in Great Lakes history. On this day in 1975, the freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald went down during a fierce storm on Lake Superior. All 29 crew members aboard were lost. The ship’s sudden sinking, which has never been solved, sparked decades of investigation and led to several important changes in maritime safety standards. It also sparked widespread cultural fascination, particularly after it was memorialized by Gordon Lightfoot in his ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, which the singer considered his finest work.

Today, the tragedy continues to resonate throughout Great Lakes communities and beyond. In Detroit, the Edmund Fitzgerald’s final destination, families of crew members gathered yesterday to honor their lives. At a ceremony at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Gordon Lightfoot was honored for his role in bringing international awareness to the tragedy through his sensitive treatment of the subject. And social media has renewed interest in the sinking on the anniversary of the tragedy: Lightfoot’s song has recently seen a surge in popularity on platforms such as TikTok.

Image source: Greenmars on Wikimedia Commons.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship

Deadline: November 30, 2025

Applications are now open for the International Affairs Fellowship (IAF) in Canada, offered by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and sponsored by Power Corporation of Canada.

The fellowship supports mid-career professionals in spending 6-12 months at a Canadian institution to deepen expertise on Canada and U.S.-Canada relations. Fellows may come from academia, government, business, journalism, NGOs, or think tanks. Prior Canada experience is not required.

The award provides a stipend of up to $110,000 USD and a modest travel allowance. Applicants must be US citizens. Learn more and apply here.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Panel: Canada at a Crossroads: Evaluating the Carney Government’s First Nine Months

Tues., Dec. 2 | 12:30 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP

When Mark Carney won the 2025 Canadian Federal election, he assumed leadership of a nation facing multiple structural problems and widespread discontent. Canadians had united against threats from the United States, but major debates remained over issues such as housing costs, immigration, and Canada’s stagnant economy. During the campaign, Carney distanced the Liberal Party from its Trudeau-era platform and promised to be a steady hand to deliver urgently needed reform. Nine months on, how well is the Carney government delivering on those promises? Join our panel representing Canada’s major political parties as they debate Carney’s performance in tackling the country’s most pressing challenges.

About the Panelists

Andrew Bevan is the CEO of the strategy firm Catalyze4. He was the campaign co-director for the Liberal campaign in the 2025 federal election. With over 30 years of public service experience, he previously served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada.

Parm Kahlon is a founding partner and strategist at Core Firm. She served as Special Assistant to Alberta premier Rachel Notley, and worked with various MLAs with the BC NDP. She has also served as managing director for UFCW 1518, one of British Columbia’s oldest and largest unions.

Jordan Paquet is the vice-president of Bluesky Strategy Group. Over the course of his nearly 20-year career, he has worked in across multiple levels of Canadian government, including the Prime Minister’s Office under the Stephen Harper; as Principal Secretary to Conservative Opposition leader Rona Ambrose; and most recently as the Chief of Staff in Prince Edward Island’s Government Members Office.
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Bluma Appel Fund, the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, and The Porter O’Brien Agency.

This event will have a remote attendance option via Zoom. Please select the “virtual attendance” in the RSVP form to receive the link.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event, please let us know with as much advance notice as possible by emailing canada@berkeley.edu.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

Simon Fraser University’s 60th Anniversary Alumni Reception in Silicon Valley

Sat., Nov. 15 | 5:00 pm | Mountain View | Buy tickets

In celebration of SFU’s 60th anniversary, you are invited for a special evening at the Computer History Museum! Enjoy complimentary access to the exhibit, mingle with fellow alumni, and expand your professional network, all while savouring delicious food and beverages. Spaces are limited, so register by November 11 to reserve your spot. Guests are welcome!

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

Website | LinkedIn | Email | Donate
Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US

Tomorrow: What’s changed for Canada in the post-Trudeau era?

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A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.  And we thank the folks in the Canadian Studies Program for their continued support.

Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

Canadian Studies News

• Get your poppy for Remembrance Week 2025!

Academic Opportunities

• UC Berkeley Study Abroad Fair

• Canadian survey data opportunity

Upcoming Events

• Panel: Understanding Post-Trudeau Canadian Politics and Policies

External Events

• San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival

• Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Service

• Montreal Steppers at SF Dance Film Festival

• Simon Fraser University’s 60th Anniversary Alumni Reception in Silicon Valley

CANADIAN STUDIES NEWS

Get Your Poppy for Remembrance Week 2025!

Every year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, millions of Canadians wear a bright red poppy in honour of Canada’s veterans. It’s a tradition observed throughout the Commonwealth, from Britain to New Zealand, and one that originated in Canadian! The poppy became an international symbol of WWI thanks to Canadian physician John McCrae, whose 1915 war poem “In Flanders’ Fields” became emblematic of the conflict. In 1921, Canada was the first country to adopt the poppy as its official symbol of remembrance, followed soon after by the rest of the Commonwealth. Over a century later, it remains an enduring symbol of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers, and a pledge to veterans in recognition of their service.

In partnership with Royal Canadian Legion US Branch #25, the Canadian Studies Program is proud to serve as an official distributor of remembrance poppies. Interested persons may pick up their poppies at our office in 213 Philosophy Hall on the UC Berkeley campus, weekdays between 9am-4pm. While the poppy is free, the Legion gratefully accepts donations towards their Poppy Fund, which directly supports Canadian veterans and their families. Learn more about the Poppy Campaign here. You can also create a digital poppy honouring a loved one by visiting MyPoppy.ca.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

UC Berkeley Study Abroad Fair

Tues., Nov. 4 | 12:00 – 4:00 pm | MLK Student Union Building | RSVP

Learn how you can study abroad in Canada at UC Berkeley’s signature study abroad event for undergraduates. Join for fun activities, giveaways, and opportunities to interact with Berkeley Study Abroad advisers, campus resources, and former study abroad participants! Options include an academic year program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and a summer internship program in Toronto. Plus, if you RSVP for the Fair by you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Cal Student Store gift card. A winner will be selected at random and emailed at the end of the week.
Canadian Survey Data Research Opportunity

Empirical Intelligence, a startup survey firm in Canada, is offering academic researchers the opportunity to include questions in nationwide surveys of Canadians for a fraction of the cost of running a survey. Researchers will get a full cleaned dataset with responses to their question(s) as well as demographic and other background variables. Surveys are run by Dr. Eric Guntermann, a survey professional with over 15 years of experience who is a former UC Berkeley postdoc and Canadian Studies Sproul Fellow. The next survey will be around the time of the federal budget on November 4th, but there will be more to come. Email eg@empiricalintelligence.ca if you are interested.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Panel: Understanding Post-Trudeau Canadian Politics and Policies

Tues., Nov. 4 | 12:30 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP

Since 2024, Canadian politics has entered a new era of uncertainty. The result of the US presidential election raised diplomatic and economic tensions between Canada and the United States to a level unprecedented in modern times. Domestically, the election of Mark Carney as the Canadian prime minister initiated a new era of Canadian politics after Justin Trudeau’s 10-year premiership. What do we need to know to better understand Canadian politics and public policy in this age of changes and challenges? In this event, two experts will share their thoughts on the major issues at stake in Canada today.

About the Panelists

Dr. Evert Lindquist is a professor of public administration at the University of Victoria and editor of Canadian Public Administration, the journal of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. His research interests include the evolving role of federal agencies, public sector reform, and how governments address complex policy challenges.

Professor Lindquist is a recipient of the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal Award for Excellence in Public Administration. He holds a BA from Carleton University; an MA from Western University; and a PhD from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.

Dr. Alasdair Roberts is a professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was the inaugural director of the university’s School of Public Policy. He has received numerous awards for his writing on problems of governance.

Professor Roberts is the first non-US citizen elected as a Fellow of the US National Academy of Public Administration. In 2022, he received the Riggs Award for Lifetime Achievement in International and Comparative Public Administration from the American Political Science Association (APSA). He received his BA from Queen’s University; his JD from the University of Toronto; and his MPP and PhD in public policy from Harvard.

This event is cosponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies.

This event will have a remote attendance option via Zoom. Please select the “virtual attendance” in the RSVP form to receive the link.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event, please let us know with as much advance notice as possible by emailing canada@berkeley.edu.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival

Nov. 3-8 | San Francisco | Buy tickets

The San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival returns next month! Hosted by San Francisco’s Conspiracy of Beards, a choir of men that sing the songs of Leonard Cohen, the festival is a multi-artist, multi-event celebration of the poetry, literature, and music of the late Canadian singer, songwriter, author, and poet.

 

Learn more about the festival and its origins in this 2024 piece from PBS Newshour.

Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Service

Sat., Nov. 8 | 11:00 am | Petaluma | RSVP (Zoom only)

Join the Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion, representing the San Francisco Bay Area, for their annual Remembrance Day Service. The service will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion plot in Liberty Cemetery on 170 Liberty Road in Petaluma. Guests are welcome at the cemetery. If you are unable to attend in person, the service will also be livestreamed via Zoom. To receive the link, please register above.

Montreal Steppers at the SF Dance Film Festival

Sat., Nov. 8 | 6:00 pm | San Francisco | Buy tickets

The 2025 San Francisco Dance Film Festival will take place from October 24 to November 9 at theaters across San Francisco. The festival will include a screening of the short documentary The Steppers Visit South Africa, which follows the Montreal Steppers as they reconnect with the ancestral roots of street dance in its native country. The screening will be followed by a performance from the Montreal Steppers, who will join the festival from Canada.

Simon Fraser University’s 60th Anniversary Alumni Reception in Silicon Valley

Sat., Nov. 15 | 5:00 pm | Mountain View | Buy tickets

In celebration of SFU’s 60th anniversary, you are invited for a special evening at the Computer History Museum! Enjoy complimentary access to the exhibit, mingle with fellow alumni, and expand your professional network, all while savouring delicious food and beverages. Spaces are limited, so register by November 11 to reserve your spot. Guests are welcome!

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

Website | LinkedIn | Email | Donate
Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Two crises of federalism; Quebec movies

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A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.

Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

General News

• Happy Halloween from Canadian Studies!

• Opinion: North America is experiencing two crises of federalism

• International film & TV database Telescope adds dedicated page for Quebec

Upcoming Events

• Panel: Understanding Post-Trudeau Canadian Politics and Policies

External Events

• San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival

• Montreal Steppers at SF Dance Film Festival

GENERAL NEWS

Happy Halloween from Canadian Studies!

When children (and adults!) go out to celebrate Halloween this weekend, they will participate in one of North America’s most beloved holiday traditions. Americans are expected to spend record amounts on the holiday in 2025, and in Canada, Halloween spending is only surpassed by Christmas.

While Halloween draws on ancient Celtic and European harvest traditions, the modern holiday is distinctively North American. But while many people around the world associate Halloween most strongly with the United States, many iconic traditions were first reported in Canada!

  • The first report of pumpkin jack-o’-lanterns was in Kingston, Ontario in 1886
  • The record of Halloween costumes was in Vancouver in 1898
  • And the first recorded use of “trick-or-treat” was in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1927!

So when you’re celebrating Halloween, you may be participating in a genuine Canadian tradition. We wish you a night of delightfully spooky fun! Image from Freepik.com

Opinion: North America is Experiencing Two Crises of Federalism

The political crises currently gripping the United States and Canada are the result of ineffective central institutions. That’s the argument Professor Alasdair Roberts makes in an article published last week in The Walrus, adapted from a longer Substack post published earlier this month. Professor Roberts, who will participate in next week’s Canadian Studies panel, teaches public policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He argues that both the US and Canada need strategic reform of their federal institutions to emerge successfully at this critical juncture.

Professor Roberts argues that the systemic failings in the United States and Canada are related but opposite. In the United States, too much power has concentrated in the Presidency, the result of a decades-long bipartisan trend towards centralization. The increase in Federal power makes national elections more consequential; at the same time, polarization produces congressional gridlock, allowing the President to unilaterally bypass the legislature – with unpredictable results.

In Canada, Professor Roberts argues, the opposite is true. In facing the political breakdown of the US, Canada must confront the limitations of its own decentralized structure, which makes it difficult to respond effectively to the threat. Canada’s provinces retain significantly greater power than US states. And in contrast to the trends in the US, over the past decades Canada’s Federal government has only further devolved its authority to the provincial legislatures, Indigenous groups, and other sub-national bodies. But such decentralization makes it hard for Canadians to agree on a coherent national vision. Meanwhile, the current structure of Parliament incentivizes short-term political wins over long-term strategy. Canada must work to build a sense of common purpose and central institutions that serve a nationwide vision.

International Film & TV Database Telescope Adds Dedicated Page for Quebec

The international media database Telescope now has a dedicated page for film and TV from Quebec! Created in partnership with the Government of Quebec, the site includes over 800 titles from Quebec with information about US streaming availability, as well as curated themed selections and expert recommendations. This is a unique resource for anyone interested in Quebecois film and TV!

Telescope Film promotes international film and TV to American audiences. Their database indexes content made outside the US, searchable by actor, language, genre, and more. Don’t forget to check out their main Canadian media page!

Looking for a movie for Halloween?

Celebrate spooky season with a curated list of Quebec horror films! We recommend the dark comedy Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant). With a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this deadpan coming-of-age dramedy follows a young vampire who is too sensitive to kill. Her problems seem solved when she meets a lonely teenage boy who is willing to sacrifice his life for her – but their friendly arrangement soon turns into something deeper. Availble now on Amazon and Apple TV.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Panel: Understanding Post-Trudeau Canadian Politics and Policies

Tues., Nov. 4 | 12:30 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP

Since 2024, Canadian politics has entered a new era of uncertainty. The result of the US presidential election raised diplomatic and economic tensions between Canada and the United States to a level unprecedented in modern times. Domestically, the election of Mark Carney as the Canadian prime minister initiated a new era of Canadian politics after Justin Trudeau’s 10-year premiership. What do we need to know to better understand Canadian politics and public policy in this age of changes and challenges? In this event, two experts will share their thoughts on the major issues at stake in Canada today.

About the Panelists

Dr. Evert Lindquist is a professor of public administration at the University of Victoria and editor of Canadian Public Administration, the journal of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. His research interests include the evolving role of federal agencies, public sector reform, and how governments address complex policy challenges.

Professor Lindquist is a recipient of the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal Award for Excellence in Public Administration. He holds a BA from Carleton University; an MA from Western University; and a PhD from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.

Dr. Alasdair Roberts is a professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was the inaugural director of the university’s School of Public Policy. He has received numerous awards for his writing on problems of governance.

Professor Roberts is the first non-US citizen elected as a Fellow of the US National Academy of Public Administration. In 2022, he received the Riggs Award for Lifetime Achievement in International and Comparative Public Administration from the American Political Science Association (APSA). He received his BA from Queen’s University; his JD from the University of Toronto; and his MPP and PhD in public policy from Harvard.

This event is cosponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies.

This event will have a remote attendance option via Zoom. Please select the “virtual attendance” in the RSVP form to receive the link.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event, please let us know with as much advance notice as possible by emailing canada@berkeley.edu.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival

Nov. 3-8 | San Francisco | Tickets

The San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival returns next month! Hosted by San Francisco’s Conspiracy of Beards, a choir of men that sing the songs of Leonard Cohen, the festival is a multi-artist, multi-event celebration of the poetry, literature, and music of the late Canadian singer, songwriter, author, and poet.

 

Learn more about the festival and its origins in this 2024 piece from PBS Newshour.

Montreal Steppers at the SF Dance Film Festival

Sat., Nov. 8 | 6:00 pm | San Francisco | Tickets

The 2025 San Francisco Dance Film Festival will take place from October 24 to November 9 at theaters across San Francisco. The festival will include a screening of the short documentary The Steppers Visit South Africa, which follows the Montreal Steppers as they reconnect with the ancestral roots of street dance in its native country. The screening will be followed by a performance from the Montreal Steppers, who will join the festival from Canada.

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US

Student op-ed: Canada’s immigration U-turn is an economic problem

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A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.

Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

News from Berkeley

• UC Berkeley grad student says Canada’s reversal on immigration is a problem for its economy

Upcoming Events

• Panel: Understanding Post-Trudeau Canadian Politics and Policies

External Events

• AURA at Grace Cathedral

• San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival

• Montreal Steppers at SF Dance Film Festival

NEWS FROM BERKELEY

UC Berkeley Grad Student Says Canada’s Reversal on Immigration is a Problem for Its Economy

A UC Berkeley graduate student weighed in on Canada’s ongoing immigration debate in an op-ed recently published in The Globe and Mail. Its author, Kevin Yin, is a second-year PhD student studying macroeconomics and international finance. Yin holds a BA from the University of Toronto, and an MA from Yale. He has been a contributing columnist to The Globe and Mail since 2023, where he shares his views on Canada’s economy, public policy, and global affairs.

In his most recent piece, “Canada doesn’t like immigration any more. This is a problem“, Yin evaluates the economic effects of the Canadian public’s recent turn against immigration. Recent polling suggests that most Canadians now believe that the country brings in too many newcomers, and many blame excess immigration for Canada’s mounting economic woes.

Yin concedes that recent surges in immigration may have worsened the housing crisis, and that people are right to be worried about affordability. At the same time, he argues that restricting immigration too much could hurt the country long-term, as shown in data and in case studies of other countries like Japan. Yin points to studies that show that immigration fuels economic growth and helps Canada stay competitive on the world stage. From filling labour gaps to driving innovation, newcomers make the economy stronger and more dynamic. Additionally, immigrants will be critical to supporting Canada’s aging population in coming decades.

Yin argues that the real issue isn’t immigration itself, but the country’s structural problems. High youth unemployment could be attributed to a weak economy strangled by tariffs and low productivity, while zoning restrictions and construction costs are key factors contributing to the housing crisis. If Canada wants to keep growing, both economically and geopolitically, he asserts that the country must address these issues while still welcoming people who want to build a future in Canada.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Panel: Understanding Post-Trudeau Canadian Politics and Policies

Tues., Nov. 4 | 12:30 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP

Since 2024, Canadian politics has entered a new era of uncertainty. The result of the US presidential election raised diplomatic and economic tensions between Canada and the United States to a level unprecedented in modern times. Domestically, the election of Mark Carney as the Canadian prime minister initiated a new era of Canadian politics after Justin Trudeau’s 10-year premiership. What do we need to know to better understand Canadian politics and public policy in this age of changes and challenges? In this event, two experts will share their thoughts on the major issues at stake in Canada today.

About the Panelists

Dr. Evert Lindquist is a professor of public administration at the University of Victoria and editor of Canadian Public Administration, the journal of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. His research interests include the evolving role of federal agencies, public sector reform, and how governments address complex policy challenges.

Professor Lindquist is a recipient of the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal Award for Excellence in Public Administration. He holds a BA from Carleton University; an MA from Western University; and a PhD from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.

Dr. Alasdair Roberts is a professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was the inaugural director of the university’s School of Public Policy. He has received numerous awards for his writing on problems of governance.

Professor Roberts is the first non-US citizen elected as a Fellow of the US National Academy of Public Administration. In 2022, he received the Riggs Award for Lifetime Achievement in International and Comparative Public Administration from the American Political Science Association (APSA). He received his BA from Queen’s University; his JD from the University of Toronto; and his MPP and PhD in public policy from Harvard.

This event is cosponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies.

This event will have a remote attendance option via Zoom. Please select the “virtual attendance” in the RSVP form to receive the link.

If you require an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please let us know with as much advance notice as possible by emailing canada@berkeley.edu.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

AURA at Grace Cathedral

Through Dec. 31 | San Francisco | Tickets

Created by Moment Factory, a multimedia entertainment studio based in Quebec, and co-presented by Fever, Grace Cathedral is AURA’s third destination in the acclaimed series, and first edition to be presented in the United States. After captivating over two million visitors in Montreal and Paris, AURA arrives in San Francisco to transform Grace Cathedral into a canvas of light, music, and projection. AURA reimagines the cathedral’s stained-glass windows, soaring arches, and cultural symbols through orchestral music, vibrant projections, and luminous storytelling. Experience an immersive 360-degree seated show that celebrates the harmony between humanity and nature, as AURA invites you to feel deeply, reflect, and create lasting memories.

San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival

Nov. 3-8 | San Francisco | Tickets

The San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival returns next month! Hosted by San Francisco’s Conspiracy of Beards, a choir of men that sing the songs of Leonard Cohen, the festival is a multi-artist, multi-event celebration of the poetry, literature, and music of the late Canadian singer, songwriter, author, and poet.

 

Learn more about the festival and its origins in this 2024 piece from PBS Newshour.

Montreal Steppers at the SF Dance Film Festival

Sat., Nov. 8 | 6:00 pm | San Francisco | Tickets

The 2025 San Francisco Dance Film Festival will take place from October 24 to November 9 at theaters across San Francisco. The festival will include a screening of the short documentary The Steppers Visit South Africa, which follows the Montreal Steppers as they reconnect with the ancestral roots of street dance in its native country. The screening will be followed by a performance from the Montreal Steppers, who will join the festival from Canada.

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

Website | LinkedIn | Email | Donate
Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US