The Canada Program seeks to examine Canadian social, cultural, economic, and political issues in their domestic and international dimensions, and to enhance an understanding of one of the United States’ closest geographical allies and largest trading partners.

Founded in 1967 as a professorship, the program now comprises the William Lyon Mackenzie King Visiting Professorship of Canadian Studies—appointed annually by various departments and housed at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs—a seminar series, an annual conference, and funding support for Harvard undergraduate and graduate students.

Gérard Bouchard, professor of sociology at the Université du Québec at Chicoutimi, is the 2008–2009 William Lyon Mackenzie King Visiting Professor of Canadian Studies. He will be responsible for chairing the seminar series, organizing an annual conference, teaching courses, and engaging students, faculty from all disciplines, and the greater Harvard community.

Richard Simeon, professor of political science and law at the University of Toronto, was the 2006–2008 William Lyon Mackenzie King Visiting Professor of Canadian Studies. In May 2008, Professor Simeon organized the conference "The Democratic Deficit in Canada and in the United States: Defining, Measuring, and Fixing."

The Canada Seminar offers presentations by public figures, scholars, artists, and experts in various fields, and provides a forum for the lively exchange of ideas on a wide range of issues. Guest speakers of the seminar have included former prime ministers Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien, Hall of Fame hockey player and former Toronto Maple Leaf President Ken Dryden, Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, and film director and producer, Norman Jewison.

In 2008–2009, the program will grant a total of $70,000 to fund eleven pre- and mid-dissertation graduate students—some of whom are engaged in research concerning government, law, sociology, education, urban design, and history—who will be known as Canada Research Fellows.

In spring 2009, the Canada Program and Harvard's Department of Government will be co-hosting Canadian philosopher and political scientist, Charles Taylor.

Beth A. Simmons, director of the Weatherhead Center, is the program’s faculty chair.

Related Links

• 2008-2009 Canada Program Research Fellows
• Canada Seminar
• Funding: The William Lyon Mackenzie King Research Fellowship
• Funding: for Students