Archive for the ‘Debates’ Category
Workers didn’t cause this inflation. And they shouldn’t have to pay for it
Sunday, May 29th, 2022
So long as the actual causes of inflation are addressed (by fixing supply chains, energy prices, and housing), inflation would then decelerate, even as wages keep up. Contingent wage protections (like cost-of-living adjustments) would also maintain the purchasing value of wages, without prompting higher inflation. To the limited extent that domestic demand pressures are reinforcing higher prices, it is better to use more focused and fair contractionary measures to dampen spending.
Tags: budget, economy, globalization, ideology, standard of living, tax
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Antiquated thinking about old age hinders Canada’s economic and social development
Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
A revised conception of old age would significantly decrease the number of people classified as old and would more accurately reflect the total number of people in Canada’s working age population. A modern definition would also mitigate stereotypes of older workers and ageism while prodding governments to reform outdated laws and provide a boost to an economy often facing worker shortages.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, pensions, Seniors, standard of living, women
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Profit and affordable housing don’t mix. Period
Sunday, May 22nd, 2022
Canada has a long tradition of governments at all levels providing affordable housing. Absent a profit motive, they can, as they once did, provide decent homes at reasonable prices and rents… The profit motive has its place in our mixed economy. But it has failed us in the provision of affordable housing. Housing will not be a human right until we accompany that noble sentiment with an abundance of affordable shelter.
Tags: economy, homelessness, housing, ideology, participation, standard of living
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Energy companies profits are through the roof. They should share the wealth
Wednesday, May 18th, 2022
… the government backstopped the financial sector through the pandemic with billions of tax dollars that kept incomes up and the banks’ customers solvent. They benefited from government support, and now it’s time to pay some back… The energy companies are in a similar situation… The government ought to tax away some of the enormous profits pouring into the energy companies and use that money to support those being hit hardest.
Tags: budget, economy, featured, ideology, tax
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Inflation is back to 1991 levels, but that doesn’t mean the federal budget should be a ’90s remix
Friday, April 22nd, 2022
The focus on boosting innovation and investment is a waste of time and money. Since the 1990s, evidence shows governments don’t know how to goose productivity or growth. But we know governments maximize potential when they invest in the foundations for everyone (affordable and accessible high-quality health, education, housing and communication, as a bare minimum).
Tags: budget, economy, housing, ideology, standard of living
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Amid spiralling costs for Canadians and atrocities abroad, deficit is not a dirty word
Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
… business pages are full of opinions that say there’s already too much spending, deficits are dangerously high, and so any new spending must focus on supporting — surprise! — business, the self-proclaimed source of wealth creation… It’s very likely we are under-taxing some of the most profitable businesses, so yes, apart from borrowing, there’s a fix for the “how ya gonna pay for it?” crowd… Those urging governments to trim spending look only at the costs of programs, and not the fiscal dividends of acting.
Tags: budget, child care, economy, featured, Health, housing, ideology, pharmaceutical, standard of living, tax
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Minimum wage meets maximum politics in pre-election Ontario
Thursday, March 31st, 2022
… Ford’s Tories… four years ago… cancelled a planned minimum wage increase — imposing a 26-month freeze on the old hourly rate of $14 an hour, shortchanging hundreds of thousands of working poor. Belatedly, Ford has ratcheted the rate back up to the previously scheduled $15, albeit about three years behind schedule. Now, after watching the premier play catch-up ahead of the June 2 Ontario election, the opposition parties are leapfrogging ahead of him
Tags: economy, ideology, jurisdiction, poverty, standard of living
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Migrant workers make our agricultural industry viable. Why do we treat them as disposable?
Monday, March 21st, 2022
Employers — who are supposed to pay for the consequences of workplace injuries and disease — instead benefit financially from the WSIB’s discriminatory policies. Employers are getting richer on the backs of injured workers. This year, the government has decided to give a $1.5 billion rebate to employers, rather than support injured workers.
Tags: disabilities, economy, ideology, jurisdiction, poverty, rights, standard of living
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Ontario’s ‘affordable housing’ task force report does not address the real problems
Friday, February 11th, 2022
The tasks force’s recommendations are squarely aimed at this middle-class interpretation of the housing crisis… these measures will do very little for those on low and moderate incomes… Instead, a range of policies are needed to curb speculation, increase the supply of non-market, genuinely affordable housing and ensure tenants have adequate protections through strong rent-control policies.
Tags: economy, featured, homelessness, housing, ideology, jurisdiction, poverty, standard of living
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Israel capped CEO pay for banking execs at $1 million. Its unique experiment could work here, too
Friday, January 14th, 2022
Over the years, the ratio between those who hold the top jobs and regular employees has gone up tremendously. Justifications for this were always based on arguments that CEO pay is set in a competitive market. The reality, however, is different. CEO pay has no equilibrium and continues to ratchet up endlessly… For too long we’ve been brainwashed by free-market myths about CEO pay. The natural experiment in Israel has refuted them.
Tags: economy, ideology, privatization, standard of living, tax
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