Note: The complete conference program and registration information are posted on the website of the Canadian Economics Association at www.economics.ca/2008/en/. Session 1: Panel on Policies to Improve Productivity Performance in British Columbia Organized by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards and the British Columbia Progress Board Friday, June 6 - 10:30-12:00 Chair: Athana Mentzolopoulos (British Columbia Progress Board) Panelists: Jock Finlayson (Business Council of British Columbia) Richard G. Harris (Simon Fraser University) Marc Lee (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) Harvey Enchin (Vancouver Sun) Session 2: Aboriginal Canadians and the Economy I: Education Issues Organized by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards and the CD Howe Institute Friday, June 6 - 14:00-15:30 Chair: The Right Honourable Paul Martin Papers: Michael Mendelson (Caledon Institute) “Creating the Conditions for Improved Education on Reserve: A First Nations Education Authority Act” John Richards (Simon Fraser University), Jennifer Hove, and Kemi Afolabi “Explaining the Aborginal-Non-Aboriginal Gap in Student Performance in BC Schools” Pamela Sparklingeyes (Edmonton Catholic Schools) “Creating Inclusive Learning Environments for Urban First Nations, Metis and Inuit Students” Discussants: Jane Friesen (Simon Fraser University) Cheryl Matthews (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) Doug McArthur (Simon Fraser University) Session 3: Aboriginal Canadians and the Economy II: Labour Market Issues Organized by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards and the CD Howe Institute Friday, June 6 - 16:00-17:30 Chair: Michael Wernick (Deputy Minister, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) Papers: Andrew Sharpe, Jean-Francois Arsenault, and Simon Lapointe (Centre for the Study of Living Standards) “The Potential Contribution of Aboriginal Canadians to Labour Force, Employment, Productivity, and Output Growth in Canada, 2006-2026” Bert Waslander (Informetrica Limited) “An Exploration of Economic Self-Reliance of First Nation Communities” Paper Presentation Dan Beavon (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) “Measuring the Self-Reliance of Aboriginal Communities” Discussants: Lars Osberg (Dalhousie University) Fred Caron (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) Session 4: Panel on Future Productivity Growth in the Canadian Economy Organized by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards Saturday, June 7 - 8:30-10:00 Chair: Andrew Sharpe (Centre for the Study of Living Standards) Panelists: Richard Dion (Bank of Canada) Claude Lavoie (Finance Canada) Richard Roy (Industry Canada) Session 5: Improving Measures of Output and Productivity in the Health Sector Organized by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards Sunday, June 8 - 10:30-12:00 Chair: Lu Hu (Health Canada) Papers: Shelley Smith (Bureau of Economic Analysis) “A Satellite Account for the US Health Sector" Paper Presentation Andrew Sharpe (Centre for the Study of Living Standards) and Celeste Bradley (Shell Canada, formerly Centre for the Study of Living Standards) “The Measurement of Output and Productivity in the Health Care in Canada: An Overview” Kam Yu (Lakehead University) and Ruolz Ariste (Canadian Institute for Health Information) “Comparison of Hospital Output in Canada: National and International Perspectives" Paper Presentation Discussants: Sharon Kozicki (Bank of Canada)