The Caledon Institute of Social Policy

The Caledon Institute is a social policy think tank.

Established in 1992, the Caledon Institute of Social Policy is a private, nonprofit organization with charitable status.  It is supported primarily by the Maytree Foundation, located in Toronto.  Caledon is an independent and critical voice that does not depend on government funding and is not affiliated with any political party.  Caledon welcomes charitable donations from individuals and organizations and occasionally undertakes contract projects for governments and nongovernmental organizations on the basis that such work advances Caledon’s research agenda, but does not define it.

The Caledon Institute of Social Policy does rigorous, high-quality research and analysis; seeks to inform and influence public opinion and to foster public discussion on poverty and social policy; and develops and promotes concrete, practicable proposals for the reform of social programs at all levels of government and of social benefits provided by employers and the voluntary sector.  Caledon’s work covers a broad range of social policy areas including income security (e.g., pensions, welfare, child benefits, Employment Insurance, benefits for Canadians with disabilities), community capacity-building, taxation, social spending, employment development services, social services, disability supports and health.  While Caledon focuses on Canadian issues, it draws upon international experience and innovations in social policy.  Caledon also seeks to inform social policy experts and policy makers in other countries on issues and developments in Canadian social policy.

Underlying Caledon’s work is the quest for a new architecture of social policy – for cost-effective solutions to the difficult problems created by our aging population, insecure labour market and rapid pace of social change.  Caledon believes passionately in the enduring need for strong social policy to fight poverty, ensure social and economic security and achieve social justice.  But Caledon also believes that fundamental changes in the economy and society demand equally fundamental reforms to social programs.  A strong economy requires strong social policy and vice versa.  Caledon emphasizes the vital links between social and economic policy, and its proposals are based on what can be achieved.

The Caledon Institute produces brief commentaries and both popular and technical reports and books.  It contributes articles to the op ed pages of major newspapers, to journals and to books. In addition to work done by staff and consultants, Caledon publishes papers and commentaries written by other leading thinkers in the fields of social and economic policy.  Its staff comment frequently in the media on social policy issues.

Caledon’s work has been recognized by two awards: the 2000 Policy Research Initiative’s Canadian Policy Research Award (Knowledge Broker) and the 2004 Arthur Kroeger College Award for Public Affairs (Public Discourse).

The Caledon Institute of Social Policy is chaired by Alan Broadbent.  Its President is Ken Battle and its Vice-President is Sherri Torjman.  Michael Mendelson is Senior Scholar and Ed Tamagno is Policy Associate.