The Parkland Institute
Formation1996
TypePublic policy think tank
Location
Websitewww.parklandinstitute.ca

The Parkland Institute is an Alberta-wide, non-partisan 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 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "Author a communist, Klein says". Edmonton Journal. Infomart, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Feb 1, 1997. p. A7.
  5. 1 2 3 Mandel, Charles (Apr 1997). "University of Alberta scores big with Klein critique". Quill & Quire. 63 (4): 12. ISSN 0033-6491.
  6. 1 2 3 Rusnell, Charles (Feb 8, 1997). "Taft's tale is a bookstore bestseller". Edmonton Journal. Informart, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. p. A12.
  7. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "Conference Archive". Parkland Institute. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
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