Staff

The Modern Media Ecosystem: Risks, Realities, and Responsibilities

isabela.sullivan@mcgill.ca — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:40:37 +0000

As part of Francofête 2026 at ��VR��Ƶ, under the theme "French, Language of Knowledge," this session will be held in French and is brought to you by the ��VR��Ƶ Alumni Association.

Vincent Rigby on Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy | The Walrus

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:11:32 +0000

February 18, 2026 | In a roundtable published by The Walrus, Vincent Rigby examines the Canadian federal government's new Defence Industrial Strategy and describes it as long overdue. While he supports efforts to strengthen Canada's defence industrial base and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, he cautions that the strategy places heavy emphasis on economic development. He calls for ensuring that "sovereign capabilities" are anchored in a coherent policy framework and matched by effective implementation.

Vincent Rigby on Appointing Canada's Next National Security Adviser | The Globe and Mail

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:26:52 +0000

February 10, 2026 | Vincent Rigby and Adam Chapnick argue that Ottawa should move quickly to appoint Canada's next National Security and Intelligence Adviser following Nathalie Drouin's resignation. They reflect on the evolution and growing significance of the position within the Privy Council Office and the importance of timely appointment and clearly defined responsibilities. Canada has not issued a comprehensive National Security Strategy in over two decades, and Rigby calls for its return under the next National Security and Intelligence Adviser.

Kyle Matthews on Iran’s Rising Death Toll and What Comes Next | CTV

isabela.sullivan@mcgill.ca — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:42:26 +0000

February 11, 2026 | Kyle Matthews spoke with CTV News about the rising death toll in Iran and what could come next. As the government’s crackdown is being described as the deadliest in modern Iranian history, Matthews reflects on the regime’s escalating repression, the resilience of protesters, and how the international community may respond in the weeks ahead.

Vincent Rigby's Canada-US Experts Group Report

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:35:45 +0000

February 11, 2026 | In a new report for the Canada-US Experts Group, Vincent Rigby and Lawrence Herman examine the implications of renewed U.S. expansionist rhetoric for Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

They argue that Donald Trump's annexation threats to Greenland highlight broader strategic risks for Canada, and Washington's longstanding rejection of Canada's claim that the Northwest Passage constitutes internal waters. Rigby and Herman argue that the United States must respond urgently by increasing its Arctic presence and meeting its NATO and NORAD commitments.

A youth employment supplement could rebalance Canada’s generational divide | Policy Options

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:17:45 +0000

February 9, 2026 | In Policy Options, MPP'25 Graduates Kiran Gill and Gabriel Blanc examine how Canada's tax and benefit system affects young adults and outline a proposal for a Youth Employment Supplement (YES) to the Canada Workers Benefit. Building on research from the Policy Lab on building wealth for young Canadians, they explore how a targeted supplement for workers aged 19-29 could support employment and improve economic security for younger Canadians.

Environment and Science Diplomacy: Past, Present and Future

victoria.weston@mcgill.ca — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:03:10 +0000

Join us February 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for an engaging panel hosted by the ��VR��Ƶ Bieler School of Environment and the Canadian chapter of Women in Science Diplomacy.

Ruth Morgan on rethinking the social contract for science | Frontiers Policy Labs

victoria.weston@mcgill.ca — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:14:37 +0000

January 14, 2026 | Ruth Morgan, the 2024-25 TISPP visiting fellow, argues that trust between science and society depends on sustained, open dialogue. She highlights that knowledge is disruptive and uncertain, and that progress starts with asking better questions especially in an era of misinformation.

Barbara Koremenos on International Scientific Collaboration | Frontiers Policy Labs

victoria.weston@mcgill.ca — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:17:10 +0000

January 14, 2026 | Barbara Koremenos, the 23-24 McConnell Visiting Scholar at ��VR��Ƶ's Max Bell School of Public Policy, argues that international scientific collaboration can build trust and help solve global problems, even amid geopolitical rivalry. She focuses on stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) research that represents a new frontier akin to the Antarctic Treaty in its ability to foster international scientific collaboration.

��VR��Ƶ’s Trottier Institute for Science and Public Policy announces Nicholas B. King as Associate Director, Rhonda Moore as Professor of Practice

victoria.weston@mcgill.ca — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:54:07 +0000

Nicholas B. King has been named the Associate Director of the Trottier Institute for Science and Public Policy at ��VR��Ƶ, where he holds appointments in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ School of Population and Global Health and the Faculty of Arts’ Max Bell School of Public Policy.

Rees Kassen on The Endless Frontier | Frontiers Policy Labs

victoria.weston@mcgill.ca — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:05:54 +0000

January 14, 2026 | Rees Kassen, Academic Director for ��VR��Ƶ's new Sustainability Park and the director of TISPP. His article traces today’s tension around the post‑WWII “social contract” for publicly funded basic research (shaped by Vannevar Bush’s Science: The Endless Frontier). He argues the contract is straining as governments demand faster, more visible returns, even though long-run payoffs (like mRNA vaccines) show why basic research matters.

Vincent Rigby on Trade Crossfire Between US and Canada | The Hill

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:02:16 +0000

February 4, 2026 | Vincent Rigby weighed in on Canada's reassessment of its planned purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets amid rising trade tensions and strained political relations with Washington. Rigby argued that increasingly sharp rhetoric from the United States prompted Canadian policymakers to rethink the long-standing defence relationship. While both countries will always share an interest in defending North America, Rigby said Canada needs to "walk on a tightrope," pushing back where necessary and reducing its overdependence on an unpredictable partner.

Jennifer Welsh on Canada’s Soft Power Influence | CBC

chantay.alexander@mcgill.ca — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:35:10 +0000

February 3, 2026 | Jennifer Welsh spoke to CBC Ideas on Canada’s role on the international stage. Prime Minister Mark Carney referred to the recent shift in international relations as a ‘rupture, not a transition’ in the world order. Canada is closely integrated with the United States, and integration can in some cases for middle powers can lead to economic coercion. Welsh discusses PM Carney’s speech and how Canada can exert its soft power influence on the world stage.

Vincent Rigby on Canada's Engagement with Greenland | Global News

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:04:01 +0000

February 2, 2026 | Vincent Rigby joins Weekends with Ben O'Hara-Byrne to discuss Canada's decision to move forward with a presence in Greenland. Rigby argues this is an overdue step that reflects solidarity with Greenlanders and aligns with Canada's Arctic priorities. While questions have been raised about the timing and whether the decision is provocative, Rigby argues that Canada must strike a careful balance between continuing to work with the United States and standing on its own.

Vincent Rigby on The Arctic Appetites of Donald Trump | Policy Magazine

keith.baybayon@mcgill.ca — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:28:13 +0000

January 29, 2026 | In Policy Magazine, Vincent Rigby, writing with Lawrence L. Herman, warns that U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to annex Greenland signals a bigger risk to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. They argue that renewed U.S. expansionist rhetoric alongside American rejection of Canada's claim that the Northwest Passage constitutes internal waters raises the prospect of future U.S. military or naval incursions in the region.