Archive for the ‘Debates’ Category
There will be no ‘V-shaped recovery.’ But here’s how we can ensure the post-pandemic economy works for everyone
Sunday, July 5th, 2020
… well-directed public spending, particularly investments in the green transition, can be timely, labour-intensive (helping to resolve the problem of soaring unemployment) and highly stimulative – delivering far more bang for the buck than, say, tax cuts. There is no economic reason why countries… can’t adopt large, sustained recovery programs that will affirm – or move them closer to – the societies they claim to be.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
Why we need to start spending on infrastructure, and fast
Thursday, July 2nd, 2020
The money lost by underemployed workers, businesses and governments is unlikely to be fully recovered… the longer we wait, the more assets permanently lose value… the effects of the pandemic on the economy will invariably reduce the ability of Canadians to finance the services and infrastructure they previously expected – a perverse dynamic that will only worsen with the duration of underemployment.
Tags: budget, economy, Health, ideology, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | 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 »
Clawing back pandemic pay for grocery workers is a grotesque, predictable outcome
Wednesday, June 17th, 2020
In normal times, callous, profit-centric corporate behaviour is not particularly remarkable. But one effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to amplify our society’s ugliest tendencies in a way that’s difficult to ignore. Clawing back an extra couple of dollars from grocery staff during a pandemic, while spuriously implying the risk is no longer there, transcends conventional ugliness to become distinctly grotesque.
Tags: economy, ideology, mental Health, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
I am still an essential worker — don’t take away our pay hike
Tuesday, June 16th, 2020
… we’re able to work through daily changes in safety standards all while staying calm during the first weeks of the pandemic. As workers, we went from invisible to essential and to being called “heroes” in a matter of days. The $2-an-hour raise gave most of my coworkers the boost they needed to make a living wage in Canada; in short, that means it took a pandemic for the majority of the food supply chain to be able to afford to live.
Tags: economy, Health, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates, Delivery System | No Comments »
There’s no shortage of labour. Employers just need to improve their offer
Saturday, June 13th, 2020
Employers’ complaints of “labour shortages” are not credible; and a more universal approach to income protection (as partly reflected in the CERB) should be maintained. Ultimately, we must find a better “incentive to work” than compelling people to accept low wages, uncertain hours, and risk of infection on pain of destitution.
Tags: economy, globalization, ideology, immigration, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
How Canadian businesses can ‘Own the Podium’
Saturday, June 6th, 2020
Make a green renovation wave for our homes and workplaces the cornerstone of the recovery package, with strings attached to ensure provinces and municipalities commit… Dedicate $5 billion in research and development and piloting over the next five years to fund technological breakthroughs in bitumen-based carbon fibres, green hydrogen, renewable jet fuels and batteries… Attract major investment from around the world by topping up the current federal Strategic Investment Fund’s $1.6 billion budget over five years to $40 billion.
Tags: economy, globalization, Health, ideology, Indigenous, jurisdiction, participation, standard of living, tax
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
It’s time for a massive reset of capitalism
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
The Great Reset agenda would have three main components. The first would steer the market toward fairer outcomes… The second… would ensure that investments advance shared goals, such as equality and sustainability… The third and final priority… is to harness the innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to support the public good, especially by addressing health and social challenges.
Tags: economy, Health, ideology, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
What COVID-19 has taught us about the nature of the way we work, and what we must do to fix it for the safety and betterment of us all
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
… the important lessons of this pandemic, which is people doing even the most humble jobs in society — the cleaners, the care aides and the retail clerks — actually have a critical role in public health and public safety, and we have to recognize that and start to value that properly.” … “A key ingredient in building a better future for work after the COVID-19 pandemic must be a stronger role for mechanisms of voice, representation and bargaining power for workers in all industries and all statuses,”
Tags: economy, Health, ideology, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
Engineering a ‘green recovery’ is a terrible idea
Monday, June 1st, 2020
The Liberals… should resist the temptation to design a conventional economic stimulus package until it is absolutely clear that one is necessary. As for any planned green recovery, they should avoid costly policies that involve picking winners and rely instead on a rising carbon price to do its job.
Tags: budget, economy, ideology, standard of living, tax
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
Recent Comments