Helping Cities build more homes Co-authored by: J. Barrett and L. Dhofier. This opinion piece was co-authored with my colleague at the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). It is based on our work in designing the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a Federal government of Canada’s $4B funding program to accelerate the construction of homes across Canada.… Read More Designing a Federal Housing Program with the Help of Cities
Climate change is impacting the global security landscape, and experts have warned about climate change’s implications on security risks such as political instability and conflicts. Photo by Wikimedia Commons, taken by the National Observer. Originally posted by the National Observer. Link to original article can be found here The impacts of climate change on security… Read More Canada is long overdue for a national climate security strategy
Originally published in the Hill Times After Canada lost its bid for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat on June 17, experts quickly blamed Ottawa’s lack of global engagement as the key reason. But Canada’s defeat tells of more than just its foreign policy failure. On many domestic issues, such as the environment and Indigenous rights, Canada’s… Read More Canada’s defeat in bid for UN Security Council seat also reveals Ottawa’s lingering problems at home
Originally published on the Hamilton Spectator, co-authored with Elmer Dysalvador. Canada is considered a global leader in refugee protection. As a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Canada has the obligation to respect the rights of refugees and not turn them away from its border. Since Justin Trudeau became prime minister in October 2015, Canada… Read More Canada must honour its commitment to protecting refugees
Originally published on The Globe Post. Op-ed written by Luthfi Dhofier, MPPGA and Dr. Ross Michael Pink. World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20 to raise awareness of the challenges that refugees face around the world. There are some 26 million refugees worldwide, roughly the same as the population of Australia. Studies found that… Read More World Refugee Day 2020: Is It Time for a New Refugee Convention?
Originally published on Fair Observer For Indonesia, a total lockdown could have cataclysmic social and economic consequences. A different approach is needed. As the coronavirus spreads fast in Indonesia, experts believe that the country will become Asia’s new epicenter. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been criticized for not implementing a nationwide lockdown. Yet such measures would not… Read More COVID-19: What Indonesia Can Learn From South Korea and Taiwan
Image courtesy of Marketwatch Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s response to the pandemic or lack thereof has sparked criticisms within and beyond Indonesia. The hashtag #lockdownordie is currently trending in Indonesia’s social media as Jokowi continues to resist experts’ advice to implement a nationwide lockdown. As of April 28, The Indonesian government has reported more… Read More How Indonesia Lost the Battle Against the Coronavirus
Originally published on the Hamilton Spectator The spread of COVID-19 in developing countries will have catastrophic global consequences. Ottawa’s current $50-million commitment to help developing countries deal with the pandemic is a step in the right direction. However, Canada must do more to assist developing countries to contain the spread of the virus. To date, advanced economies… Read More Why Canada Should Help Developing Countries Fighting to Flatten the Curve
World Water Day was recently celebrated to highlight the importance of clean water. Almost all human activities require water, including food production, energy generation, and health provision. Globally, 800 million people, mostly in developing countries, do not have access to clean water. Lack of clean water contributes to a myriad of health problems such as… Read More Poor Access to Clean Water Will Make Developing Countries Vulnerable to Coronavirus
Originally posted on the Vancouver Sun “The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.” — Pericles Every year on March 22, World Water Day raises global awareness about the importance of freshwater. The theme for this year’s… Read More Climate change impacts water security in Egypt, India, Indonesia and Australia
Luthfi Dhofier 