The Commons Institute is founded on the premise that knowledge is a social good, and that a failure to tackle the most pressing concerns of our time is a failure of the imagination. We are dedicated to the exploration of social and legal issues in need of debate, understanding or reform, and to advocacy regarding those issues. We aim to do policy differently by actively engaging the public in policy development as well as advocacy.  

To fulfill its mandate, The Commons Institute divides its work into four distinct quadrants:

lawCommons

Premised on the idea of the practice of law as a civic undertaking, we offer solutions that empower legal professionals and connect them to citizens. Our suite of solutions include ongoing legal education programs, which are a necessary element of the competency of legal practitioners. Our commitment is to deliver innovative and practice-oriented solutions.

aboriginalCommons

Issues related to Canada’s Aboriginal population continue to be among the most pressing in contemporary Canada. At The Commons Institute, we put together engaging, thought-provoking and policy promoting conferences that address Aboriginal issues, with a view to both education and the fashioning of pathways for positive change. In addition, we work with Aboriginal nations on capacity augmentation objectives, and undertake advocacy regarding Aboriginal issues.

policyCommons

We deliver forums and programs that inform, challenge and collect. Our policy oriented programs draw upon recognized expertise with a view to enabling policy promotion, debate, exposure and reform. Our resulting policy prescriptions serve as the basis for knowledge-infused advocacy.

globalCommons

Firmly premised on the conclusion that substantive interaction and fairly constructed trade are feasible replacements to the foreign aid doctrine, The Commons Institute pursues the development of capacity as well as market access in aid of international development. Our goal is the use of human, social and physical capital in the facilitation of new, mutually-beneficial trade linkages and commercial cross-pollination.

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