Policy Brief Assessment

Based on the articles above from First Policy Response, please engage in the following assessments to test your learning.

Policy Brief:

You are a policy analyst for the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The ministry focuses on, “[s]upporting a strong, innovative economy that can provide jobs, opportunities and prosperity for all Ontarians.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic had large impacts on many of those in the skilled trades, as these jobs often require hands-on and close-proximity interactions. As a result, there have been outbreaks of COVID-19 in the workplace and many skilled-traded labourers have been furloughed and/or laid off.

With the number of employees being furloughed, employers are dealing with a province-wide labour shortage with the need to replace vacant positions.

Write a short policy brief (750 – 1,500 words in length) that focuses on Ontario’s economic development system. It will be presented to the Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Outline three major policy recommendations that can help deal with this job loss from the pandemic.