Events and Programming

• When: June 10, 2026. 1:00-3:00PM
• Where: University Hall, Macdonald Building, 6257 Alumni Cres.

On June 10, the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance hosted a panel discussion building off a new publication from Dalhousie Law's Information Policy Lab entitled "Think of the Children: The Policy Tradeoffs of Digital Age Verification."

Around the world, an increasing number of countries have proposed or implemented digital age verification schemes. But while their proponents claim that age verification is necessary in order to protect children from online harms, experts warn these rules are a privacy and censorship nightmare, which will dramatically escalate digital surveillance while providing new opportunities for hacking and blackmail. As Canada grapples with its own rules blocking youth access to social media or chatbots, or imposing broader age verification requirements on websites, these tradeoffs are increasingly salient.

On June 10, the MacEachen Institute will host a panel discussion, building off a new publication from Dalhousie Law's Information Policy Lab entitled "Think of the Children: The Policy Tradeoffs of Digital Age Verification."

Speakers:

• Michael Karanicolas, James S. Palmer Chair in Public Policy and Law
• Renee Black, CEO and Founder of Goodbot 
• Toby Mendel, Executive Director and Founder of the Centre for Law and Democracy
• Val Webber, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Sexual Health and Gender Lab

• When: May 21-22, 2026
• Where: Various Rooms, Weldon Law Building, 6061 University Ave.

The MacEachen Institute sponsored the 2026 Canadian Repair Convention, a two-day national summit of talks and demonstrations dedicated to exploring the growing Right to Repair movement in Canada.

Bringing together scholars, policymakers, industry professionals, community repairers, and students, the Convention provided a forum for discussing how repair affects sustainability, innovation, consumer rights, and economic resilience.

The event aims to connect ideas with practice by fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors and will feature panel discussions, policy conversations, and hands-on demonstrations.

Read more about the event:

• Advocates push for local right to repair (CBC)
• Canadian Repair Convention Underway in Halifax (Global News)

• When: April 21st, 2026 
• Where: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

On April 21st, the MacEachen Institute held its inaugural Friends of the MacEachen Dinner at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 / Musée canadien de l'immigration du Quai 21, generously sponsored by Global Public Affairs. The Institute welcomed leaders from across academia, government, and corporate sectors, to discuss the legacy of Allan J. MacEachen and the future of the Institute.

After a reception that celebrated Hon. MacEachen's roots with a Celtic trio, Co-chairs Colin P. MacDonald, K.C. and former Lieutenant Governor Arthur LeBlanc welcomed guests around a single table to engage in discussion and break bread. 🍞

MacEachen Institute Director Jerry Bannister re-introduced the MacEachen Institute as committed to the legacy of Allan J. MacEachen and the "radical middle" of Canadian politics: "In the face of 'burn-it-all-down' narratives, the MacEachen Institute serves the vital need to facilitate dialogue and relationships between university researchers, different levels of government, and the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. We are non-partisan yet politically engaged."

President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation / Fondation Rideau Hall, Teresa Marques was welcomed as our keynote speaker. Ms. Marques gave a powerful address on how civic infrastructure is critical to fostering connection, hope, and positive change by acting as "a safe third space that allows for the convening of serious, respectful dialogue and stewarding multi partisan engagement." As she reminds us, "In a fragmented environment, that role is not “nice to have.” It is foundational."

The MacEachen Institute is committed to serving this foundational role by creating space for dialogue, connection, and citizen engagement.

• When: March 27-29th, 2026 
• Where: University Hall, 6257 Alumni Crescent

The MacEachen welcomed McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy for the fourth and final iteration of their Gen(Z) AI Forum. Bringing together 100 young Canadians, Gen(Z) AI builds policy consensus that has the potential to impact Canada’s legislative and regulatory approaches to AI. The topic of the Halifax Forum was AI & Age Assurance.

Age assurance is becoming an increasingly relevant policy issue as governments around the world grapple with how to balance age verification policies with data privacy and data rights. An announcement will be made when the fourth report is published.

• When: March 27-29th, 2026 
• Where: University Hall, 6257 Alumni Crescent

The MacEachen welcomed McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy for the fourth and final iteration of their Gen(Z) AI Forum. Bringing together 100 young Canadians, Gen(Z) AI builds policy consensus that has the potential to impact Canada’s legislative and regulatory approaches to AI. The topic of the Halifax Forum was AI & Age Assurance.

Age assurance is becoming an increasingly relevant policy issue as governments around the world grapple with how to balance age verification policies with data privacy and data rights. An announcement will be made when the fourth report is published.

• When: 2:00-5:00pm, January 29th, 2026 
• Where: University Hall, 6257 Alumni Crescent

The MacEachen Institute co-hosted a panel on Women in Public Policy with the Dalhousie Women in Politics society. Bringing together women in the public service, science and oceans policy, partisan politics, and non-profit sector, Moderator Trina Roache led a provoking conversation on what it means to build a career and professional life in pubic policy, and field questions from young women thinking about their next steps.

Featured Panelists: Lisa Lachance, PhD, Suzy Hansen, Heather MacDougall, Ronnie Noonan-Birch, and Lisa Roberts.

Photo Credit: Petra Jessome