Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

Upcoming Events

• Panel: Navigating the Tensions in Canada’s Climate & Energy Policy

News from Berkeley

• Op-ed: “Provinces have too much power, and Canada’s economy suffers as a result”

• Former UC Berkeley chancellor Carol Christ shares lessons with Canadian universities

Academic Opportunities

• Call for Papers: 2026 MANECCS Conference: “Building Bridges”

External Events

• Cal Performances concert: Bruce Liu, piano

• The Diversity of Rap in Québec and of its Local Recognition

• Canadian Heritage Day: Sharks vs. Oilers

UPCOMING EVENT

Thurs., Feb. 5 | 2:00 pm | 223 Philosophy Hall | RSVP

Canada has an international reputation as an outspoken proponent of ambitious climate change action. At the same time, Canada has the third-largest oil reserves in the world, and the petroleum industry represents a critical sector of the Canadian economy, especially in Alberta. Federal policymakers walk a difficult line between economic growth, energy security, and environmental stewardship, and disagreements over hydrocarbon policy have been a frequent source of inter-provincial tension. This panel will explore how the politics of this issue have evolved over time, and how Canada can navigate difficult policy tradeoffs at a time of global and domestic uncertainty.

About the Panelists

The Hon. Alison Redford served as the 14th Premier of Alberta from 2011 to 2014. Before being elected premier, she served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Calgary and as Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General. She currently serves as a permanent board member for Invest Alberta.

Dr. Peter Bevan-Baker has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island for over ten years. He was the first Green Party member elected to the provincial legislature, and served as Leader of the Official Opposition from 2019-23, the first Green to ever assume that role at any level of Canadian government.

Michele Cadario is the Executive Vice President of Rubicon Strategy. She has 25 years of experience in federal and provincial politics, and previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Paul Martin and to BC Premier Christy Clark.

Please note that this event starts at 2:00 pm.

This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Bluma Appel Fund, the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, and The Porter O’Brien Agency.

This event will have a remote attendance option via Zoom. Please select the “virtual attendance” in the RSVP form to receive the link.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event, please let us know with as much advance notice as possible by emailing canada@berkeley.edu.

NEWS FROM BERKELEY

Opinion: “Provinces Have Too Much Power, and Canada’s Economy Suffers as a Result”

Kevin Yin is a doctoral student in Economics at UC Berkeley and a contributing columnist for The Globe & Mail.

In his latest column, Kevin Yin looks at the economic and social costs of Canada’s federalist model, which gives provinces extensive autonomy. From interprovincial trade barriers to large-scale infrastructure projects, the country faces a constant tension between national and local interests that hampers economic growth, increases administrative burden, and decreases political cohesiveness. Yin argues that the current federal system must be revised if Canada is to compete in the current geopolitical climate.

Former UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ Shares Lessons with Canadian Universities

The latest edition of University Affairs, a magazine which covers Canada’s higher education sector, included an interview with UC Berkeley Chancellor Emerita Carol Christ, who served as the university’s 11th chancellor from 2017 until 2024. The interview was conducted in Ottawa, where Christ delivered a keynote speech at a meeting hosted by Universities Canada, the leading organization representing Canadian universities and advocating for higher education policy.

Titled “Reaffirming the role of universities: Lessons from the U.S.“, the piece shares Christ’s insights on what Canadian universities might learn from the threats facing their US counterparts; the role of universities in the public sphere; the importance of intellectual freedom; and the evolution of the “free speech” debate on campus.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Deadline: March 31 | Learn more

Canada and the United States share one of the world’s closest, most complex relationships – marked by cooperation and competition, friendship and rivalry, and common projects and contested borders. The Middle Atlantic and New England Council for Canadian Studies (MANECCS) invites scholars, students, and practitioners to reflect on these lines of contact, the cycles of collaboration and conflict, and the cultural, political, and economic bridges that connect the two countries. The organization’s 2026 conference will take place from 22-24 October 2026 in Lake Placid, NY.

For questions about the program, logistics, or submissions please contact Dr. Claire-Marie Brisson (President) or Dr. Brendan Shanahan (Vice President)

EXTERNAL EVENTS

Cal Performances Concert: Bruce Liu, Piano

Tues., Feb. 10 | 7:30 pm | Zellerbach Hall | Tickets

Ever since taking first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2021, Chinese Canadian pianist Bruce Liu has been on the rise, with recitals on many of the world’s most prestigious concert stages. His Cal Performances debut program features a selection of that award-winning Chopin, Beethoven’s Moonlight sonata, and a trio of pieces inspired by Spanish themes.

The Diversity of Rap in Québec and of its Local Recognition

Wed., Feb. 11 | 4:00 pm PT | Online | RSVP

Little-known outside of the province, the hip-hop subculture of Québec has been a place of expression for rap artists since the genre’s emergence in the early 1980s. This talk will present a survey of different stages of hip-hop within Québec and will outline the diversity of identity orientations, languages of expression, and media formats influential upon hip-hop in Québec over this decades-long existence. This talk will highlight key barriers and factors that impacted rap’s position as popular culture in Québec.

Claire Fouchereaux is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor of French at Wabash College (Indiana). Her publications include articles on the representation of France by mainstream rappers in Québec and on African cinema.

This event is brought to you by the Center for Canadian-American Studies at Western Washington University and the Foundation for WWU & Alumni.

Canadian Heritage Day: Sharks vs. Oilers

Sat., Feb. 28 | 11:30 am | San José | Tickets

Join the Digital Moose Lounge & Canadian Consulate for their ever-popular Canadian Heritage Hockey Day! Bring the whole family for an exclusive pre-game party in the Rinkside Room before enjoying a buffet lunch by Auggie’s for Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and poutine. Enjoy an afternoon of fast-paced hockey as the seasoned two-time back-to-back Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton Oilers take on the San Jose Sharks. Grab your Sharks/Canadian Trapper hat for all attendees, plus fan experiences you will not want to miss.

Early access check-in begins at 10:45 for the 11:30 -12:30 pre-game VIP Party. Puck drop at 1:00. Get your tickets before they sell out!

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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