BC Priorities Projects

The BC Priorities Project is a research and educational collaboration between SFU’s School of Public Policy and provincial government and agency partners, which began in 2010. The goals of the project are to enhance the learning outcomes of our students by giving them the opportunity to work on issues of concern to government ministries and agencies.

Each year, the first-year cohort receive topics from different provincial agencies and organizations that are of medium to long-term interest to them. Students, in teams of four to six members, investigate the problems over the two semesters of their Introduction to Policy Issues I and II courses (MPP 800 and 807). The program is structured to match students’ interests with organizational needs in evidence-based research and policy analysis. In sessions held in Victoria and Vancouver at the end of the second semester, each student team delivers a written report and presentation regarding their findings and recommendations to members of the partner organizations.

Partner Organizations and Projects - 2021/22

BC Housing | Extreme heat, wildfire smoke and the social housing sector

Provincial Health Services Authority | Policy effectiveness and compliance at PHSA

Streetohome | Shared housing models

Canadian Institute on Climate Choices | Supporting low-income renters to transition to emissions reducing and cost-saving technologies

Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training | Labour shortages in BC: Taking a closer look

Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions | Decriminalization of drug possession and youth in BC

Partner Organizations and Projects - 2020/21

City of Vancouver | Reimagining Roadways: Promising Practices for Open Street Events

BC Ministry of Housing | a Window for Change: Alternatives to Emergency Shelters in B.C.

Genome Canada/BC Project | Implementing On-Campus Covid-19 Rapid Testing

Provincial Health Services Authority | Engaging Patients & Families in Policy Development

YMCA | Managing Child Care at the YMCA of Greater Vancouver: Improving Waitlist Efficiency & Equity

Western Economic Diversification Canada | Prevalence of rural internet connectivity issues within B.C. communities that have been most economically impacted by COVID-19

Vancouver Economic Commission | Best practices research for local economic developers to advance the circular economy in Metro Vancouver