Lately I wonder if there hasn’t been a modification to the feminist adage “the personal is political”. In the aftermath of the recent federal election — a decision that left so many of us cringing in anticipation of the onslaught we know will follow — it became clear that for…
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Across the pond, the UK Conservative coalition government has taken a very different approach to tackling climate change than the Harper Conservatives. The Canadian government’s “commitment” to addressing climate change makes us a global pariah. Our government says it is committed to reducing Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by…
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Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak has promised to introduce what the Toronto Star calls “modern day chain gangs.” “The Progressive Conservative leader said Thursday that if a Tory government is elected Oct. 6, about 2,700 inmates serving sentences in provincial jails will be forced to work up to 40 hours…
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Amazingly, BC’s government has joined its official opposition in proposing to restore the provincial corporate income tax rate from 10% to 12%. The same government that cut from 12% to 10% would now reverse itself as part of a last-ditch effort to save the HST. Revenue from a higher corporate…
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It has been widely reported in the Globe and elsewhere that Canada ranks #2 in the just-released OECD Better Life Index, outstripped only by Australia. I am all for measures of objective and subjective social well-being that go beyond GDP as a measure of progress, and this OECD report offers…
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A shorter version of this analysis appears at the Globe and Mail’s Economy Lab. See article and comments here. Last fall Premier Danny Williams wondered what could drive anyone to let hundreds of millions of dollars slip through their fingers. Last week he got his answer. The Roil report on…
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CCPA Research Associate Hugh Mackenzie has done an analysis of current gas prices (using our online Gas Price Gouge Meter) and finds: Although the average price in these major centres across Canada is roughly the same today as it was two weeks ago – $1.33 on April 29; $1.35 today…
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I grew up in a political household. Not that I realized it at the time. I only knew that our dinner table conversations were not about math tests and birthday parties. Well, at least not for more than five minutes. After that, we could see my dad’s irritation grow as…
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As Parliament resumes after Canada’s historic 41st election, all eyes are on Prime Minister Stephen Harper and how he delivers on his campaign promises of growth and stability. With no encumbrances to its decision-making powers, the Harper majority government will be responsible — and will be seen as responsible —…
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A Harper majority is very bad. However, I have trouble imagining it cutting public programs more than Chretien’s majority did. The Conservatives and Liberals have long been rather similar on economic issues. The NDP replacing the Liberals as one of the two predominant parties is hugely positive. Canadian social democrats…
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