Project I:

Reforming Scandinavian Immigration Policies: Learning From Canada

Denmark, Norway and Sweden share a parallel history of migration, and they can be described as “latecomers” in terms of immigration. It was not until the late 1960s that these countries began to experience the waves of immigration that reached Europe after the Second World War, and, even then, the size was modest, compared to most West-European nations. However, the immigrant population has increased steadily in all three countries. The public debate on immigration policy reforms has intensified in Scandinavia during the past two decades, both due to new international commitments and questions about the consequences and dilemmas for the welfare model and the welfare programmes that arise from increased migration and international mobility.

The Scandinavian countries have in many different areas served as models for policy development by other societies and states. However, in the area of immigration policy, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have themselves been searching for inspiration and for new policy solutions abroad, including in Canada. Although the immigration policies of the three countries differ in many respects, the main objective of the proposed research program is to compare the role the Canadian immigration policy model played in the recent and on-going reform process in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The project is financed by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada through a Insight Development Grant awarded in 2012. 

Project II:

Jean Monnet and His Canadian Inspiration

 The French economist and politician Jean Monnet (1888-1979) is often regarded as the founding father of the European Union (EU), and his achievements and life have been subject to much attention. However, this project fills a significant gap in the established literature. It is well-known that Monnet had a special relationship with North America and its people. While his links with the United States are well-covered, this is the untold story of how Jean Monnet's encounters with Canada and Canadians between 1907 and 1914 played a vital role, both as inspiration and as enduring reference point, in his project of uniting Europe. In reconstructing this important part of both Canadian and European history, this study draws on a wide variety of empirical sources, including unpublished documents, correspondence and original historical data extracted from archives both in Canada and in Europe.

The project was financed by the Senate Research Committee at Bishop's University in 2009.

Project III:

Implementation of the European Union Alcohol Strategy

In its Conclusions of 5 June 2001, the Council invited the European Commission to put forward proposals for a comprehensive Community strategy aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm to complement national policies. The first EU Alcohol Strategy was adopted by the European Commission in October 2006. This strategy was later endorsed by all EU institutions indicating that a broad consensus had been achieved on the approach to tackle alcohol related harm. This research project studies the actual implementation of the EU Alcohol Strategy in the various member states.

This project was financed by the Norwegian Institute of Alcohol and Drug Research (SIRUS) in 2010.