Informed views on some complex socio-economic issues
-
We need to support displaced workers
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
-
We can all have federal workers’ ‘gold-plated’ pensions – just expand the CPP
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
-
Tackling poverty does not need to hurt growth
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.
-
A carbon tax is the right policy
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
-
Changes to the Bank of Canada Governance would be helpful
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,
-
Big government is not necessarily bad
(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
-
Industry Support: Do taxpayers get value for money?
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
-
Inflation: Workers Bear Too Much Blame
(français plus bas) [A revised version of this article was published in Policy Options: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/june-2023/inflation-blame-workers/] Central bank governors are concerned about wage increases. Carolyn Rogers, Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, notes: “If we continue to have above-average wage growth (…), it will be difficult to bring inflation down to 2%. Governor Tiff
-
Quand l’économie est une obsession
Les considérations économiques sont au centre de toute décision politique. Subventions, réticence à enrichir le filet social ou à protéger davantage l’environnement, tout pour assurer une croissance plus forte de notre consommation. On semble même préférer relocaliser des gens que de forcer une entreprise à respecter la réglementation environnementale. Pourquoi? Parce que les élus, et
-
L’Immigration: Qu’ossa donne?
Revised version in English published in Policy Options here: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/july-2023/immigration-positive-negative/ Et une version révisée de la version française a été publiée ici: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/juillet-2023/immigration-positif-negatif/ Pour certains, l’immigration est un problème – passeurs illégaux, menace à nos emplois et à notre culture – mais pour d’autres une solution à nos pénuries de main-d’œuvre et au vieillissement de
Want to contribute?
Le Systemiste 