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Forget a guaranteed basic income. There’s a better way to make sure Canadians have enough money after COVID-19
Saturday, September 19th, 2020
We already have many well-entrenched programs serving many parts of the population quite well… To replace many of them with a single cheque would not only be legally difficult, but would also give the federal government a blunt instrument to deal with the complex and ever-changing problems of poverty, low income and inequality… It’s become painfully obvious that ensuring that there are enough affordable, high-quality child-care spaces is essential for a recovery.
Tags: child care, economy, featured, ideology, jurisdiction, participation
Posted in Policy Context | No Comments »
Here’s why Ottawa’s pandemic aid isn’t finding its way to Black-owned businesses
Monday, June 29th, 2020
Black businesses are not getting the kind of financial support that the rest of the country’s private sector is getting from governments these days — despite the commitments from federal politicians to extend a hand to everyone who needs it, and repeated vows to act quickly on systemic racism… Liberals want to consult more with community leaders… The problem is, the damage from the pandemic is moving far faster than bureaucracy, and for Black communities, it’s devastating.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, standard of living
Posted in Equality Delivery System | No Comments »
Here’s one simple — and relatively cheap — thing Ottawa needs to do to kick-start our economic recovery
Saturday, June 20th, 2020
Business closures have pounded women across the country, hitting service-oriented sectors that tend to be female-dominated harder than others. Parents who were able to arrange to work from home quickly realized that caring for young children at the same time is unsustainable… “There’s no way our economy can reopen, reboot and recover if 40 per cent of its labour market cannot engage the way it did before”
Tags: budget, child care, economy, featured, Health, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, women
Posted in Policy Context | No Comments »
Argue against the CERB all you want — this is why you’re wrong
Thursday, June 18th, 2020
If the government’s experts are able to repair EI’s weaknesses and blend that system with pandemic income supports to nurse a full recovery, they’ll be providing a crucial backstop for the middle class for years to come. But for now, the focus on emergency help for the pandemic’s most vulnerable victims is a necessary priority.
Tags: budget, economy, Health, ideology, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
On child care, politicians are doing exactly what they said they wouldn’t. Women are paying the price
Saturday, June 6th, 2020
Despite all the goodwill of officials and the commitments from politicians and business leaders, they’ve done exactly what they said they wouldn’t do: opened the doors to recovery without opening the doors for parents, especially mothers. It doesn’t work for families, it doesn’t work for employers who need a broad range of employees to come back, and it certainly doesn’t work for a fair recovery.
Tags: child care, economy, ideology, participation, standard of living, women
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
COVID-19 prompted previously unthinkable spending from Ottawa. Here’s how it will reshape our future
Saturday, April 25th, 2020
… just two months ago… COVID-19 management gripped our economy and we collectively decided to put health and well-being above — far above — economic growth and fiscal discipline… but few foresaw a lockdown that is now more than six weeks long, with many more to come. Few could predict that the cost would be so enormous. But the most surprising part? The consensus that it’s all still worth it is holding strong.
Tags: budget, economy, globalization, Health, ideology, participation
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
Here’s why men still get paid more than women
Sunday, January 19th, 2020
… older men and women are almost equally engaged in caregiving of some kind, but when it comes to working-age caregivers, women are spending more time than men helping those close to them, and handling far more of the tasks that are not compatible with work… The easy government policy responses to confront the wage gap have already been implemented, says Schirle, and the impact for many women is barely perceptible.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, women
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
Here’s why you should like the federal carbon tax
Wednesday, November 27th, 2019
An escalating carbon price, on the other hand, would allow GDP per capita to grow steadily so long as the proceeds of the carbon tax are redistributed to taxpayers, as the current plan foresees… By… 2030 and the emissions reductions are in the bag, Canadians would each be $3,300-a-year richer under carbon pricing than under the large-emitter-only scenario.
Tags: budget, economy, featured, globalization, ideology, standard of living, tax
Posted in Policy Context | 6 Comments »
Canada needs more workers, and political supports for children and seniors can help
Sunday, September 22nd, 2019
In 2018, for every 100 people between 15 and 64 years old, there were 50 people younger or older than them, dependent on those working people for their work and their tax revenues to pay for social programs. By 2068, that ratio will rise to anywhere between 63 and 73… in order to maintain the income supports that we already have… The more people in the workforce, the easier that becomes.
Tags: child care, economy, immigration, participation, pensions, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »
Here’s why the Liberals won’t brag about closing tax loopholes
Friday, July 26th, 2019
Morneau learned the hard way that raising taxes (or closing loopholes), unless in a manner that targets only a small number of extremely rich people, is a tricky business. However unfair or ineffective the loopholes, there will always be vociferous opposition to their closing, not least when those who have benefited most can well afford the best lobbyists.
Tags: budget, economy, ideology, tax
Posted in Governance Policy Context | No Comments »
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