The Canada School of Public Service, in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) and the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (GAGS), is proud to announce that Shah Zaib and Harshad Krishnaraj are the winners of the 12th National Student Paper Competition for their paper, ”Protecting Canada’s Seniors from Cyber Fraud: Education, Awareness, and Policy Solutions.”
Want to learn more about their ideas for improving Canada’s federal public service? Click on the title to read the winner’s essay and those of the other finalists.
Shah Zaib – Biography
Shah Zaib is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Information Security and Privacy at the University of Calgary. He holds a Bachelor of Management Information Systems from the University of Alberta. Passionate about data integrity and digital safety, Shah has led enterprise-level data governance, quality monitoring, and cloud automation initiatives in the financial and energy sectors. Currently working as a Data Governance Specialist at ATB Financial, he has contributed to its data and AI governance strategy, implemented automated data quality systems, and managed metadata platforms such as Collibra and Dataplex. His dedication to improving digital safeguards for vulnerable populations led to his paper, “Protecting Canada’s Seniors from Cyber Fraud,” being named a finalist in the 12th National Student Paper Competition. Shah is committed to shaping secure, equitable digital frameworks through policy, technology, and education.
Harshad Krishnaraj – Biography
Harshad Krishnaraj is a dedicated information security researcher currently pursuing a Master of Science in Information Security at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on critical areas of modern cyber security, including privacy vulnerabilities in neural networks, public Wi-Fi security challenges, and cryptographic attack prevention. As lead researcher in the Privacy in Neural Networks project, Harshad investigates the complex balance between machine learning utility and data privacy protection. His technical expertise includes vulnerability testing with tools like OpenVAS and Zenmap, and developing exploitation frameworks for critical security flaws in various environments. His current work explores significant gaps between theoretical privacy solutions and practical deployment in neural networks, with particular emphasis on data anonymization limitations and protection against model inversion attacks. Harshad’s research aims to develop robust frameworks that enhance privacy guarantees while maintaining optimal model performance in real-world applications.
Abstract
Canadian seniors face an increased risk of cyber fraud as digital technology use grows. They lost $38 million to fraud in 2021. This paper highlights critical gaps in protections tailored to this demographic. It analyzes common scams such as phishing, tech support fraud, and charity scams. The paper proposes four solutions: public service–led education, financial sector awareness efforts, government and tech industry partnerships, and integrating cyber security into long-term care standards. Together, these strategies aim to improve digital literacy and resilience among seniors, promoting a safer, more inclusive digital environment for Canada’s aging population.
Chen Hascalovitz
Biography
Chen Hascalovitz is a Ph.D. candidate in Population Health at the University of Ottawa, with a background in neuroscience and psychology from the University of Cambridge and Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research explores the intersection of economic policy and mental health, with a particular focus on the social determinants of well-being and innovative frameworks for health systems transformation. In addition to her academic work, Chen has contributed to science communication platforms and produced creative works, including documentaries, musicals, and a TV show currently in development. She is the creator of the Human Economics blog and is passionate about using interdisciplinary research to inform public policy, improve mental health outcomes, and build more equitable systems of care.
Abstract
Canada is facing an escalating mental health crisis, with systemic barriers disproportionately impacting marginalized populations. While reactive care remains the norm, it fails to address the root causes of distress. This paper introduces the Promote–Prevent–Eliminate Framework, a multi-level strategy aimed at transforming Canada’s mental health system through proactive, determinants-based interventions. By promoting mental well-being, preventing illness, and eliminating access barriers across federal, provincial, and community levels, the Promote–Prevent–Eliminate Framework offers a holistic approach to reform. It emphasizes equity, intersectionality, and coordinated policy action to support sustainable improvements in mental health outcomes nationwide.
Nimerta Dhami
Biography
Nimerta Dhami is a second generation Punjabi Sikh settler residing on Treaty 13 with their daughter, partner and rescue dog. They recently completed their Master’s of Social Work at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work in the field of Health and Mental Health, with a Collaborative Specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies. Nimerta previously completed the Midwifery Education Program at Toronto Metropolitan University and had practiced as a registered midwife in Toronto for a decade, prioritizing uninsured, racialized, and queer families before pausing to explore a life that involves sleeping through the night. Their research interests lie in health equity policy, free healthcare for all, mental health, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practice. Nimerta is currently working on a research project with two social work colleagues under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Logie related to the impacts of increasingly conservative policies on the mental health of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Toronto.
Abstract
In this paper I argue for the implementation of free and accessible contraceptives for all cisgender women, nonbinary, trans, and gender expansive folks capable of pregnancy and residing in Ontario, regardless of their un/documented status. The inclusion of uninsured and undocumented folks emphasizes their immediate rights to free and accessible abortion care when contraceptives fail. I discuss related global recommendations in comparison to the historical gaps in Ontario’s past and current policy on reproductive rights. I conclude with three recommendations and policy options, including British Columbia’s success with similar policies, and Ontario’s existing funding mechanisms to address this urgent healthcare issue.
Scott Schrempf
Biography
Scott is a graduate candidate for the Master of Marine Management in the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University. In this program, he has expanded upon his biology background from Queen’s University into the interdisciplinary field of sustainability, and learned how to consider complex problems from social, economic, ecological, and institutional perspectives. Scott’s Master’s research focused on understanding the economic, ecological, and institutional influences on yellowfin tuna management by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, particularly as the population has continued to decline despite management action over the last ten years. Additionally, he sought to determine the impacts of allocation regimes and understand the disproportionate burdens coastal nations face under the current management approach. Scott is an Ocean Nexus Student Research Fellow and Sustainable Fisheries and Communities Trust Scholar and is currently working as a research assistant under Dr. Megan Bailey in the Marine Affairs Program at Dalhousie University.
Abstract
In Canada, fisheries management decisions are primarily driven by our biological understanding, while underrepresenting the socio-economic implications of decisions that may adversely impact coastal and Indigenous communities. To address this gap in management, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should conduct research to determine indicators for social sustainability that are applicable in the Canadian context. Additionally, it should examine current practices, policies, and legislation to remove colonial structures that impede on reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples. These paths provide first steps towards Canada becoming a global leader in sustainable resource use, while potentially spurring coastal and Indigenous community economies.
Advancing Social Sustainability and Equity in Canada’s Fisheries Management by Scott Schrempf