For nearly 40 years, the IRPP's mission has been to present new ideas and analysis to help Canadians and their governments make effective public policy choices based on informed debate. Since its founding, the Institute has contributed to that debate through rigorous, relevant and reliable research.

Canada's economic performance and social progress have always been at the heart of the IRPP's research mandate. The current agenda builds on these principles. It focuses on economic and social policy priorities related to three fundamental realities that will require governments' attention and policy responses in the medium to long term: the aging of Canada's population, its growing diversity and pluralism, and the impact on Canadian competitiveness of rapidly changing patterns of global trade and production. As governments' efforts to promote economic growth and social progress depend on effective governance instruments and a well-functioning federation, our research also addresses these important underpinnings of sound public policy.

Other features of our research include:

• A multidisciplinary approach: The issues facing Canada in the coming decades have multiple policy dimensions that extend beyond the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines. We solicit experts in economics, political science, sociology, law and philosophy, among others, to contribute to our research and take part in our debates.
• An international and comparative perspective: Our research focuses on Canadian policy issues, but takes into consideration the international context within which these issues evolve, and draws lessons where applicable from comparative analysis.
• Collaboration with other organizations: In order to better disseminate its research findings and reach out to the broader policy community, the Institute collaborates, when appropriate, with other organizations. In recent years, the IRPP has worked in collaboration with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, the Canada West Foundation, the Forum of Federations, the Maytree Foundation, the Public Policy Program at Simon Fraser University, the School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Toronto, the Trudeau Foundation, the United Way of Toronto, and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, among others, on various initiatives.