National Case Competition Archives - Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law

Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2026

vinish — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:00:26 +0000

_{York MPPAL Case Competition Team, 2026}

In February 2026, York's MPPAL team got its elbows up to devise a new national security policy for Canada in the CAPPA National Student Case Competition. This year's policy question was as timely as it was expansive, requiring us to sift through a vast body of research before we could even begin to narrow our focus. The entire experience challenged us to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and bring creative solutions to one of the country's most complex policy areas, one which many of us were learning about for the first time. The strength of our team dynamic was evident throughout, and it made all the difference when it counted most on presentation day.

We are deeply grateful to the SPPA community, whose faculty, alumni, and advisors showed up for us at every stage, sitting through our practice rounds and pushing our thinking in ways that enhanced our final performance.

Coach Victor Severino and Dr. Couto deserve special recognition for the time, care, and expertise they poured into our preparation. Their guidance helped us find clarity in the challenges we encountered throughout the process and kept us focused on delivering our best work. We leave this competition proud of what we built together and remain committed to paying it forward to the next generation of York competitors.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2025

vinish — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:17:54 +0000

Left to Right—Emma-Jane Cowan, Michael Tracey, Isi Imafidon , Betiel Abraha, Milena Basciano and Syeda Nafisa Nawal.

In February, Team MPPAL proudly brought home the Bronze medal for �첥��Ƶ at the CAPPA-IPAC Annual National Public Administration Case Competition! This marks a historic achievement for the MPPAL program, marking our first-ever placement in the top three. The competition was a rigorous challenge that tested our teamwork, strategic thinking, and ability to tackle complex, real-world policy issues. It required deep collaboration, critical analysis, and a comprehensive approach, pushing us to grow both as individuals and as a cohesive team. Our great chemistry played a crucial role in our success, allowing us to stand out and work together seamlessly under pressure. We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated coach, whose guidance and unwavering support pushed us to our limits. Professor Ian Roberge’s clear insights, valuable feedback, and encouragement were instrumental at every step of the way, helping us refine our approach and elevate our performance. A huge thank you to the entire School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) community, including its amazing alumni and faculty. We deeply appreciate the time they dedicated to listening to our dry runs and offering thoughtful advice that helped shape our success. This experience has been a rewarding and transformative journey, and we are proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Regardless of the outcome, we’ve gained invaluable insights and forged lasting bonds. We’re excited to teach future York teams what we’ve learned and continue to share in this incredible journey.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2024

vinish — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:10:02 +0000

Left to Right—Rubaiya Sharin, Shahithya Ravindran, Ashika Sharda, Mirusha Ramaj and Kurt Strachan. Not pictured are Professors Ken Ogata (coach) and Ana Kapralos (coach).

Reflecting on a rich tradition of participation, York's MPPAL program once again immersed itself in the 2024 National CAPPA Case Competition last month. As the program's dedication to excellence continued to shine, a cohort of eager candidates embarked on a journey of preparation and skill refinement, aiming to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to excellence on the national stage. These sessions, designed to immerse students in the intricacies of the case method, equipped them to tackle complex public policy dilemmas with creativity and precision. Embarking on the challenge titled 'Phoenix Rising… Again? Taking Control of Federal Procurement,' teams addressed dysfunction in the federal procurement system, drawing inspiration from real-world cases like Phoenix and the ArriveCan Application. Join us in celebrating their outstanding performance and invaluable contributions, showcasing the limitless potential of teamwork, innovation, and dedication. Their journey was made possible by the invaluable contributions of their professors, colleagues, faculty, and all others, whose immense support and guidance were crucial in navigating the challenges faced during the competition. A special thank you is extended to Professor Ogata and Professor Kapralos for their exceptional support and guidance throughout the competition.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team – 2023

vinish — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:28:53 +0000

Left to right -- Ken Ogata (coach), Garth Edwards, Wairimu Wamugo, Yuan Mengyu, Manogya Tekriwal, Jenning Cheung, and Ana Kapralos (coach).

York’s MPPAL program has been competing annually in the national CAPPA case competition for over a decade. During the fall of 2022, we held a series of training sessions with a very bright and talented group of candidates, hoping to be selected to represent York in the 2023 competition. Students were introduced to the case method, and tasked with developing innovative solutions to challenging public policy problems. The 2023 National Public Administration Case Competition was hosted by Carleton University and held virtually on February 25, 2023. The case centered around modernizing transactions through a Central Bank digital currency. The scenario asked students to provide assessments of the issues and their advice to decision-makers. Congratulations Team York – we are MPPAL proud!

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2022

vinish — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 14:32:38 +0000

Team York 2022: from upper left, Gillian Wasmandsdorf, Lauren Dranitsaris, Coach/Professor Zachary Spicer, Gurkamal Dhahan, Arman Hamidan and Maggie de Barra

For the second year in a row, York MPPAL students competed virtually in the CAPPA/IPAC National Public Administration Case Competition. Carleton University officially hosted, although the competition took place via Zoom due to COVID-19. Five outstanding students (Gillian Wasmandsdorf, Lauren Dranitsaris, Gurkamal Dhahan, Arman Hamidan and Maggie de Barra) proudly represented York, finishing tied-fourth among 14 others from across Canada. This year's team was coached by SPPA's newest colleague, Associate Professor Zac Spicer.

The case this year focused on rough sleeping and homeless encampments. York’s team was praised for their forward-thinking approach to the policy problem and the way in which they humanized the complex challenges that encampment residents confront on a daily basis. The judges were particularly struck by the team’s focus on data collection, stabilizing the health, safety and sanitary conditions of encampments and building supportive pathways for encampment residents to move to permanent housing.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2021 (Year of the Virtual Format)

Alice — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 13:00:00 +0000

^{TEAM YORK 2021 1st row, left to right: Professor John Wilkins (Coach), Paula Tablon-Modica, Pravina Rajadurai; 2nd row, left to right: Ranziba Nehrin, Dilumi Rupasinghe, Eva Fok; 3rd row: Rory O'Connor (Associate Coach)}

Five outstanding MPPAL students did �첥��Ƶ proud, finishing tied-fourth at the 2021 CAPPA/IPAC National Public Administration Case Competition. CAPPA and Carleton University co-hosted the tenth annual and first virtual competition on February 20^th. It attracted a strong field of twelve teams from graduate programs across Canada.

The Team was impressive and added to York's reputation for fun, fair play, networking, and the learning journey. It was commended for its quality presentation, robust policy options, and teamwork. Our MPPAL ambassadors achieved excellence in public administration.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2020

Alice — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 09:05:00 +0000

Team York 2020 1st row, left to right: Sindiswa Moyo, Melissa Khachik; 2nd row, left to right: Shriya Dangwal, Chloe Hill; 3rd row, left to right: Stanley Chikombero, and John Wilkins (Coach).

Five outstanding MPPAL students did �첥��Ƶ proud, finishing tied-fourth at the 2020 CAPPA/IPAC National Public Administration Case Competition. Laval University hosted the ninth annual competition in Québec City, 21-22 February. It attracted a strong field of eleven teams from graduate programs across Canada.

The teams examined the intergovernmental challenges for the Government of Canada in tackling the widening housing affordability gap for young families. The case was entitled Housing Affordability: A National Problem? A blue-ribbon panel judged teams from Carleton, Toronto, and Simon Fraser to be the 2020 medalists.

Team York advised federal ministers on workable strategies for Ontario, where 385,000 households need affordable housing, most in the GTHA. It recommended an innovative Nation Building Bylaw, which called for reallocating federal National Housing Strategy funding to leverage and expedite local access to affordable housing.

York framed a collaborative way forward for Canadian citizens, developers, and governments. Beyond obvious policy complexities and regional disparities were a tight 12-to-15-month implementation timeline and a two-month announcement window. And adherence to Canadian quality of life, economic prosperity, and good governance principles were imperative.

The Team added to York's reputation for fun, fair play, networking, and the learning journey. It was praised for its unique strategy, global awareness, and teamwork. Our part-time MPPAL ambassadors dedicated themselves full-time to excellence in public administration.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2019

Alice — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 21:10:00 +0000

TEAM YORK 2019 left to right: Asare Kester-Akrofi, Gurjeet Virdi, Sindiswa Moyo, John Wilkins (Coach), Joana Jabson, Rebecca Ganesathas

Carleton University hosted the eighth annual case competition in Ottawa, 22-23 February, 2019. It attracted a strong field of twelve teams from graduate programs across Canada. The 2019 MPPAL students finished in the top-half of the draw, receiving numerous accolades for their textured strategy, design features, and human narrative.

The teams examined prospective challenges to intergovernmental Canada associated with ongoing refugee displacement in Yemen. The case was entitled Doing Good, or Doing Smart? A Strategic Response to a Global Crisis. A blue-ribbon panel judged teams from Simon Fraser, Glendon, and Toronto to be the 2019 medalists.

True to its social justice roots, Team York framed the way forward as a win-win-win for Yemeni refugees, the international community, and the Canadian economy. It recommended a principled path to good governance through commitment, capacity, and collaboration. The Team advised federal ministers on holistic outcomes and risk mitigation for Canada, as well as on workable implementation strategies for Ontario.

As always, our part-time MPPAL students dedicated themselves full-time to showing off their excellence in public administration.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2018

Alice — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 21:34:00 +0000

TEAM YORK 2018 left to right: Anthea English (Coach), Lisa Gotlieb, Rod Carew, Pauline Raphael, Diane Prelich, John Wilkins (Coach); not shown: Tasha Oommen (Alternate)

MPPAL students did �첥��Ƶ proud, finishing in the top-five at the 2018 CAPPA/IPAC National Public Administration Case Competition. Simon Fraser University hosted the seventh annual competition in Vancouver, 23-24 February. It attracted a strong field of thirteen teams from graduate programs across Canada.

The teams examined current challenges to intergovernmental Canada associated with the Alberta-British Columbia pipeline project. The case was entitled "Getting to Implementation: The Politics of Pipelines." A blue-ribbon panel judged teams from Simon Fraser, Carlton, and Johnson Shoyama (Regina) to be 2018 medalists.

True to its game-changer tradition, Team York framed the way forward as a win-win-win for Indigenous peoples, the environment, and the economy. It recommended strengthened oversight as the path to enhanced governance, relations, and results. The Team advised the Minister responsible on positive policy outcomes for the Province of British Columbia, as well as on implementation strategies with the City of Kamloops and Opposition MLAs in Kamloops. York added to its reputation for fun, fair play, networking, and the learning journey. Our part-time MPPAL students made a full-time commitment to excellence in public administration.

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Master of Public Policy and Law Case Competition Team—2017

Alice — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 21:39:00 +0000

Left to right: Salvatore D'Agostino, Hannah Ross, Coach John Wilkins, Shovan Chakraborty, Eric Lothman, Rathsara Illangasinghe

Inspired by a 'game-changer' tradition, Team York did us proud at the 2017 CAPPA/IPAC National Public Administration Case Competition hosted by Ryerson University, 17-18 February. Five gifted MPPAL students--Shovan Chakraborty, Salvatore D'Agostino, Rathsara Illangasinghe, Hannah Ross, Eric Lothman--showed how part-time students make a full-time commitment to excellence in public administration.
This sixth annual competition attracted a strong field of twelve teams from grad programs across Canada. The teams presented their review of an issue that has plagued the Government of Canada for decades and remains unresolved. The Competition Case was entitled 'A National Political Football: The F-35 Jetfighter Procurement Program'. The blue-ribbon Judges panel named Carlton, Laval, and Simon Fraser, in that order, as the medalists for 2017.
Team York took a unique tact in its presentation by reframing the problem as policy rather than procurement. Under the banner of 'Overcoming Jetlag', it recommended policy review and process reform before taking action. The Team advocated "doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons". For the first time, the presentations were recorded and will be posted on the . According to Professor John Wilkins: "In my four years as Coach, this was the stiffest competition yet, as shown by dethroning of the perennial favourites. We are already strategizing how to improve and get ready for next year. We have a legacy to build upon, three team members eligible to return, and good prospects for a strong run in 2018 when Simon Fraser hosts."

The event continues to get better. Our five MPPAL students added to York's reputation for fun, fair play, networking, and the learning journey.

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