Archive for the ‘Economy/Employment’ Category
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Harper, the economic meddler. Who knew?
It’s debatable whether any of this largesse has made Canada’s economy more competitive or innovative. No amount of state support can compensate for a lack of vision or guts among businesses. It’s not for a lack of trying by Ottawa that innovation policies that seem to work elsewhere aren’t replicable here. The state can go only so far to substitute for the private sector’s listlessness. To wit, firms in the oil patch are reacting to tough times by cutting R&D, which is exactly the opposite of what they should be doing right now… only innovation can save them.
Tags: budget, economy, globalization, ideology, jurisdiction, standard of living, tax
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We need honest talk about the economy, not fear and ideology
As Mr. Harper pointed out himself during the last recession, there are times when investing in the future, and thus running a deficit, is in fact the better option. It is certainly better than making the recession worse… There are limits to what the country can borrow, spend, and tax… But we have other deficits to deal with – in transit, housing, and infrastructure, as well as social justice – and the country’s leaders ignore these, and how to pay for them over time, at their peril.
Tags: budget, economy, globalization, ideology, standard of living
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Unions are battered but not broken
Where labour once fought to work nine hours daily or less, some people today don’t work much more than that in a week. Permanent, full-time jobs are being replaced by temporary or part-time work, with secure employment a thing of the past. More Canadians are toiling for fewer benefits — often they’re deemed contractors instead of employees — and usually they’re young people, women, recent immigrants and visible minorities.
Tags: economy, featured, ideology, participation, poverty, rights, standard of living
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Labour should march to the new tune
… those whose jobs involve manual labour, are not thrilled by the prospect of having to wait two more years to collect OAS. But no one born before 1958 will be affected, while those born after that date will likely face a very different labour market by the time they turn 65. They’ll likely have countless more employment options than today’s seniors… elderly benefits are the largest single expense Ottawa faces, costing almost $46-billion this year and a projected $57-billion in 2019.
Tags: budget, pensions, standard of living, tax
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Harper’s aversion to government intervention in the economy is both political and personal
The Conservative government has reduced corporate taxes from 22 per cent to 15 per cent federally; has cut small business taxes; eliminated tariffs on manufacturing equipment; and, concluded a series of trade agreements. To Harper, that should be the role for government. It should not pick winners or partner with businesses to give them a leg up. He is, of course, willing to deviate from this course if political expediency demands…
Tags: economy, globalization, ideology, standard of living, tax
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Our economic problems run deeper than brief dips in GDP
Free markets and low taxes are supposed to automatically spur efficiency. But Canada’s measured productivity performance has been abysmal: growing less than 1 per cent per year, badly lagging previous governments and most of our trading partners. Upgrading, innovation and investment are the prerequisites for productivity – yet we’ve gone backward in every area… Let’s talk about the fundamental drivers of Canadian economic progress…
Tags: budget, economy, globalization, ideology, standard of living
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Lisa Britton turns anger into poverty advocacy
“Individual failings aren’t the cause of poverty,” she says. “It’s systemic. “We have a system of government benefits that don’t provide enough money for people to actually survive, let alone have enough dignity.” Indeed, it’s been said that poverty isn’t only about money, but it’s always about money… I’m stuck working meaningless, low paying, precarious, part-time jobs… Jobs without any guarantees… just keep me oppressed, desperate and uncertain.
Tags: Health, ideology, mental Health, participation, poverty, standard of living
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Re: Harnessing the poverty-fighting power of public institutions, Aug. 24
Funneling a portion of large public institution spending to local businesses that create jobs for marginalized communities could be a game-changer… In Cleveland, a number of employee-owned co-operative enterprises were formed to provide services to the universities, hospitals and other community agencies. The co-op enterprise model not only provides jobs, but gives employees an ownership stake, equity and a share of the profits.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, poverty, standard of living
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Corporate tax brakes
Rate hikes don’t generate much public revenues once businesses restructure their affairs. Even in high-tax countries like the Scandinavian and Benelux countries, governments have figured out that smart policy is to avoid high taxes on capital investments. These countries tax capital less heavily than Canada today… Balanced budgets based on corporate tax increases will be ephemeral as businesses avoid high taxes in Canada to earn profits elsewhere.
Tags: budget, economy, globalization, ideology, tax
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Trudeau is talking sense amid deficit hysteria
Like much of the rest of the world, Canada has an economy that is operating below capacity; people who need work; stores that need customers; infrastructure that needs rebuilding… Those who argue dogmatically that we need to release the economy from the “shackles” of excessive government deficit spending, irrespective of effects or context, are actually the people who are truly advocating “mindless” and irresponsible economic policy. It’s the triumph of ideology over common sense.
Tags: budget, economy, featured, ideology, standard of living, tax
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