About - Institut Donald J. Savoie

Mission

To contribute to increasing knowledge about regional development, particularly in the Atlantic region, related public policy, and the economic, social, and political issues facing Atlantic Canada and l’Acadie. This mission is accomplished by funding fundamental research and activities and disseminating their results.

Vision

The Donald J. Savoie Institute is the benchmark for increasing knowledge through scientific research on regional development issues, related public policy, and the economic, social, and political issues facing Atlantic Canada.

Values

Independence

The Institute values its independence as a research organization. This stems from its status as a self-funded non-profit organization. Its funding comes from the income of an endowment fund established in 1983, with the creation of the Canadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, and enhanced in 1988 with the establishment of the Clément-Cormier Research Chair in Economic Development. It is free from any institutional or government affiliation and is politically and ideologically independent.

Excellence

The Donald J. Savoie Institute promotes excellence in scientific research. It supports high-caliber fundamental research through funding programs for established researchers and students. Research funding is awarded competitively and on the basis of merit, following a rigorous application evaluation process by experts in the field. Publications sponsored by the Institute are subject to peer review.

Relevance

The Institute promotes research of high scientific and social relevance. Its goal is for the research activities it funds to contribute to a better understanding of issues related to regional development, particularly in the Atlantic region, for the benefit of governments, decision-makers, and the general public.

Efficiency

The Institute values the optimal use of its financial resources. To this end, its research funding programs include performance and results obligations for their beneficiaries.

Bilingualism

The Institute values both of Canada's official languages. The work of the researchers it funds is published in the language in which it was produced. Books and articles published under its responsibility are published simultaneously in both official languages. The Institute's working language is French.

Strategic Goals

The strategic goals of the Donald J. Savoie Institute are:

To increase the pool of researchers in fields related to its mission through master's and doctoral scholarship programs;

To increase knowledge through research in fields related to its mission through its Clément-Cormier Research Chair in Economic Development, a graduate scholarship program, a research grant program for university researchers, and a scientific manuscript writing grant program;

To disseminate and communicate new knowledge generated by research through programs supporting the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, research notes, and popular texts, and through open scientific activities.

An independent non-profit organization, the Institute maintains a close relationship with the Université de Moncton, where its offices are located. It also has ties with multiple partners from various institutions in Atlantic Canada and the rest of the country.

History

The Institute was founded in 1983 by Donald J. Savoie as the Canadian Institute for Research on Regional Development (CIRRD). Under the leadership of Professor Savoie, CIRRD has earned an enviable reputation nationally and internationally. The CIRRD hosted leading researchers and published a large number of theoretical and applied works on a range of issues related to the economic development of regions and elsewhere.

In 2005, the Institute adopted the name Canadian Institute for Research on Public Policy and Public Administration, which emphasized the central role of quality of governance, public policy and public administration in the welfare and economic development of our communities. The Institute stressed the importance of not only providing research but also assisting in the development of public policies based on a rigorous and objective analysis of major public policy issues.

In 2015, the Institute adopted its new name in honour of its founder.

Team

Jacques Paul Couturier, President

Jacques Paul Couturier is President of the Institute. Holding a PhD in History from the Université de Montréal, he began his career as a professor at the Edmundston campus of the Université de Moncton, before holding various administrative positions, including Interim Rector and Vice-Chancellor from 2018 to 2020. He is the author of several publications on the history of the Maritimes and l'Acadie, and of a synthesis of Canadian history entitled Un passé composé: Le Canada de 1850 à nos jours (2nd ed., 2000), in collaboration with Wendy Johnston and Réjean Ouellette.

Céline Basque

Céline Basque is DJSI’s Administrative Director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from l’Université de Moncton. After her studies, Céline acquired valuable skills in office administration in the health, research and development and legal sectors. She joined the Institute in 2012.

Researchers

Gabriel Arsenault, Associate Researcher

Gabriel Arsenault is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the École des hautes études publiques of the Université de Moncton. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto and is the author of L'économie sociale au Québec. Une perspective politique (PUQ, 2018). The book won the Prix Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie du Québec / Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (2019). Gabriel Arsenault also assumes responsibility for the management of the Polimeter project within the DJSI, whose mission is to provide objective, transparent and reliable information on government actions.

Richard Saillant, Researcher in Residence

Richard Saillant is a Moncton-based economist and public policy consultant. He holds a B.A. with double major in economics and political science, a M.A. in economics from the Université de Montréal and an M.B.A. from McGill University. Richard has spent nearly twenty years in government and academia, including as Director General at Industry Canada, as former vice-president of the Université de Moncton and as Director of the Donald J. Savoie Institute. He is the author of a number of publications including A Tale of Two Countries: How the Great Demographic Imbalance is Pulling Canada Apart. Richard was also a columnist for l’Acadie Nouvelle and for the Brunswick News dailies from 2020 to 2023.

Michel Cormier, Visiting Researcher

Michel Cormier is a career journalist, author and expert consultant on journalism. He was executive director of news and current affairs at Radio-Canada from 2012 to 2018 and he currently serves as executive director of the Leaders’ Debates Commission.

Michel Cormier began his broadcasting career at Radio-Canada in Moncton. He has been a parliamentary correspondent for Radio-Canada and CBC in Ottawa, Quebec National Assembly bureau chief and foreign correspondent in Moscow, Paris and Beijing. From 2011 to 2012, he was director of Radio-Canada Acadie in Moncton.

The Clément-Cormier Research Chair

The Clément-Cormier Research Chair in Economic Development is dedicated to the memory of Reverend Father Clément Cormier, founder of the Université de Moncton and a leading player in the economic and social recovery of l'Acadie. Its holder is Professor Donald J. Savoie, who is recognized in Canada and internationally for the quality and impact of his work on public policy and regional economic development.

Clément-Cormier Chair

Donald J. Savoie

Donald J. Savoie holds the Clément-Cormier Research Chair in Economic Development. His research achievements are exceptional and have influenced public policy and public administration in Canada. Donald J. Savoie has published 60 books, many with university presses, and over 200 articles, many of which have appeared in top-tier refereed journals. His most recent book, Speaking Truth to Canadians About Their Public Service (McGill-Queen’s, 2024), examines the ability of the Canadian public service to provide policy advice without fear or favour and to deliver services to Canadians.