MacDonald Commission

::"For the commission that investigated the RCMP, see Royal Commission of Inquiry into Certain Activities of the RCMP"The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada, known as the MacDonald Commission, was a historic landmark in Canadian economy policy. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau appointed the commission in 1982 and it presented its recommendations in 1985. The commission’s recommendations reflect three broad themes. First, the report suggested that Canada foster a more flexible economy, capable of adjusting to international and technological changes. Toward this end, the commission recommended greater reliance on the market mechanisms and that Canada pursue a free trade agreement with the United States. Second, the commission recommended various reforms the welfare state model, emphasizing social equity and economic efficiency. Third, the commission recommended the adoption of an elected Senate in order to better represent Canada’s diverse regions.

Most notably, the commission’s recommendations affected trade policy directly by giving greater legitimacy and momentum to the debate surrounding free trade with the United States. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney began trade negotiations with the American administration shortly after the report was released.

Commission Members:
Chair – Donald MacDonald
Executive Director – Gerry Godsoe
Director of Policy – Alan Nymark
Directors of Research – Ivan Bernier, Alan Cairns, and David Smith (Later, Ken Norrie and John Sargent took on the roles of co-Directors of Research).

Other Resources:
[http://www.cdhowe.org/pdf/policystudy_41.pdf] In 2005, the CD Howe created a volume to mark the 20th anniversary of the MacDonald Commission Report.

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002515] The Canadian Encyclopedia has an overview.

[http://www.library.utoronto.ca/mediacommons/microtext/collection/pages/carylcou.html] The University of Toronto has the complete collection available on microtext.