This article was published in the Globe and Mail on November 18, 2023:https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-for-the-sake-of-the-wider-economy-we-need-paid-sick-days/ It’s flu season and too many workers in Canada will have to choose between their health and their capacity to pay for groceries and rent. You may be surprised that this is a choice many Canadians have to make – close to…

This article was published in the Globe and Mail on Dec 12, 2023; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-a-harsh-truth-real-fixes-to-canadas-economy-are-difficult-and/ Workers in Canada are less productive than those in many other countries. In the time a Canadian worker produces $1 worth of goods and services, a French worker produces $1.20, and an American $1.30 – a 30-per-cent advantage. And it’s getting worse –…

Thsi article was published in the Globe and Mail on July 25th, 2024: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-like-it-or-not-industry-disruptions-and-job-losses-will-be-the-new/ Worried that artificial intelligence will take your job? You should keep your eye on the caribou! Last month, the federal government announced its intention to prohibit logging activities in large areas of Quebec to protect caribou populations; a move called irresponsible…

This article was published in the Globe and Mail on February 7th, 2024:https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-we-can-all-have-federal-workers-gold-plated-pensions-just-expand-the/ Many people rage at (and envy) the “gold-plated” retirement plan for federal employees. Common complaints are that it’s unfair and overly generous in comparison with their own plans. But perhaps they should be asking why their plans are not as generous as…

This article was published in the Globe and mail on January 10th, 2024: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canadians-want-their-governments-to-tackle-poverty-but-nobody-can/ In Canada, poverty is a half-full, hall-empty glass kind of situation. On the positive side, the poverty rate has declined to 7.4 per cent in 2021 from 14 per cent in 2015, according to the latest figures available from Statistics Canada.…

This article was published in the Globe and mail on April 3, 2024:https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-carbon-tax-climate-change/ Let’s be honest: A carbon tax will hurt the economy, and Canada reducing its emissions will not do much for climate change. But we should also do our part, and carbon pricing is the option that should appeal the most to conservative-minded…

This article was published in the Globe and mail on March 18, 2024: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-we-must-consider-serious-structural-changes-for-the-bank-of-canada/ The current monetary policy framework agreement between the government and the Bank of Canada, which lays out the mandate of the central bank, is set to expire at the end of 2026. Some important structural changes should be contemplated for the next agreement,…

(This article was published in the Globe&Mail on June 9, 2024: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-has-99-problems-but-a-high-tax-regime-aint-one/) A majority of people are tired with the Liberal “bigger government agenda.” Close to 60 per cent of Canadians believe that the government is spending too much and 75 per cent feel overtaxed. That is a lot of unhappy people. The recent tax hikes on capital gains…

Although the government swore in the last federal budget that it is not doing industrial policy, how else do you describe the $20 billion provided to some sectors or technologies over the next 5 years?  And what about the $14 billion provided to Volkswagen?  By providing benefits to certain sectors, regions, or technologies at the…