Parkland Institute

The Parkland Institute is an Alberta-wide, non-partisan, left-leaning research institute, situated within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta.[1] The Institute studies economic, social, cultural, and political issues using the intellectual approach of Canadian political economy.[2]

The Parkland Institute
MottoResearch and Education for the Common Good
Formation1996
TypePublic policy think tank
Location
Websitewww.parklandinstitute.ca

The Institute was founded in the fall of 1996,[1] and first came to public attention in February 1997 when it co-published with the University of Alberta Press the book Shredding the Public Interest: Ralph Klein and 25 Years of One-Party Government by researcher Kevin Taft.[3] Then-Alberta premier Ralph Klein accused Taft of promoting "communism"[4] and the book quickly became a best-seller.[5][6]

In addition to publishing and disseminating the findings of research,[7] the Parkland Institute has hosted an annual conference each November at the University of Alberta since 1997.[8]

History

The Parkland Institute was founded in 1996 by Gordon Laxer, a political economist in the University of Alberta's sociology department, who became the Institute's first director.[1][9]

The Institute's first publication, Shredding the Public Interest: Ralph Klein and 25 Years of One-Party Government by researcher Kevin Taft became a best-seller[5][6] after then-premier Ralph Klein criticized the report and accused Taft of being a communist.[4]

In November 1997, the Institute held its first annual conference, "Globalization, Corporatism & Democracy: Alberta and Canada," which featured a keynote presentation by John Ralston Saul.[10]

In March 1999, Ralph Klein again attacked the Institute, sending a letter of complaint about a conference presentation by economist Armine Yalnizyan to then University of Alberta President Rod Fraser, in which he accused the Institute of being "factually challenged" and "one-sided and ideologically biased."[11]

Bill Moore-Kilgannon was the Institute's Executive Director for the first four years,[12] and was replaced by current Executive Director Ricardo Acuña in May 2002.[13]

In January 2012, Gordon Laxer stepped down as Director, and was replaced by University of Lethbridge sociologist Trevor Harrison.[14]

Research and Publications

The Institute "studies economic, social, cultural and political issues using the perspective of Canadian political economy,"[15] and focuses its research in the areas of taxation and finance in Alberta, energy policy, poverty and social inequality, democracy and governance, labour markers, education, and health care.[7] All of the Institute's research is peer reviewed prior to publication.[16]

The most common research formats for the Parkland Institute are reports and fact sheets; the Institute has published over 80 since 1999.[7] The Institute also published or co-published six books between 1999 and 2006.[17] Two of the Institute's books, Shredding the Public Interest: Ralph Klein and 25 Years of One-Party Government and Clear Answers: The Economics and Politics of For-Profit Medicine were best-sellers.[5][6][18]

The Institute published a regular newsletter, The Parkland Post, but suspended publication in fall 2013.[19]

Annual Conference

Starting in 1997, the Institute has held its annual fall conference each November on the University of Alberta campus.[20]

Past conference keynote speakers have included John Ralston Saul, Vandana Shiva, Helen Caldicott, Michael Parenti, Linda McQuaig, Maude Barlow, Margaret Atwood, Ronald Wright, Chris Hedges, and Guy Standing.[20]

References
  1. Kristine, Owram. "The Parkland Institute: Alberta's Unofficial Opposition". Canadian Dimension. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  2. "About the Parkland Institute". Parkland Institute. Parkland Institute. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  3. Goyette, Linda (Feb 1, 1997). "Klein's obsession with debt put to shame". Edmonton Journal. Infomart, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. p. H1.
  4. "Author a communist, Klein says". Edmonton Journal. Infomart, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Feb 1, 1997. p. A7.
  5. Mandel, Charles (Apr 1997). "University of Alberta scores big with Klein critique". Quill & Quire. 63 (4): 12. ISSN 0033-6491.
  6. Rusnell, Charles (Feb 8, 1997). "Taft's tale is a bookstore bestseller". Edmonton Journal. Informart, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. p. A12.
  7. "Parkland Institute Research: Reports". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  8. "Parkland Institute Conference Recordings". Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library. Athabasca University. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  9. "Not "leftists," just folks: sociologist Gordon Laxer founds a new anti-right think-tank". Alberta Report. United Western Communications. 24 (9): 11. Feb 10, 1997. ISSN 0225-0519.
  10. "Parkland Institute Conference Recordings 1997". Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library. Athabasca University. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  11. McMaster, Geoff. "President defends Parkland Institute". Folio. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  12. "Parkland Institute turns 10". Vue Weekly. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  13. "Ricardo Acuna". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  14. Laxer, Gordon. "Farewell to Parkland Institute speech". Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  15. "About the Parkland Institute". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  16. "Self-Study Report December 2008" (PDF). Parkland Institute. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  17. "Parkland Institute Research: Books". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  18. "Best-Sellers / The Charts". Edmonton Journal. Mar 19, 2000. p. E14.
  19. "The Post". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  20. "Conference Archive". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
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