Northern lights : exploring Canada's think tank landscape

"With an estimated 1830 think tanks stretched across its 50 states and close to 400 public policy institutes in Washington, D.C. alone, the United States possesses the largest concentration of think tanks on the globe. But despite being home to several prominent think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Rand Corporation, think tanks are not a uniquely American phenomenon. Indeed, institutes with considerable expertise in the broad fields of domestic and foreign policy have taken root in virtually every country in the world. Although often overlooked, Canada's think tank population represents a highly diverse and eclectic group of organizations that have made their presence felt in key policy-making circles. This study explores the rise of think tanks in Canada and addresses many of the most commonly asked questions about how, and under circumstances, they are able to affect policy change. Heading North is both a primer for those looking to understand the role and function of think tanks in the policy-making process and a guide to several of the leading policy institutes in the country. Recognizing the premium think tanks in Canada place on political advocacy over policy research, this study also seeks to explain why these organizations are well suited and equipped to shape public opinion and public policy. It represents the first comprehensive examination of think tanks in Canada and contributes to our knowledge of what is often described as the global think tank phenomenon."--