Archive for the ‘Policy Context’ Category
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The road to higher female employment?
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Dec. 14, 2011
In 1997… Quebec introduced a universal early childhood education policy. This provided heavily subsidised childcare for all children up to the age of four. In 2010/11 this cost the Quebec government $2.1bn, or $10,000 (£6,180) per subsidised place. Between 1996 and 2008 the maternal employment rate for women with children under six in Quebec increased by 11 percentage points to 74 per cent. A large proportion of the increase was from women with low-level qualifications. Canadian researchers have estimated that for every dollar spent by the government on childcare, it received $1.05 back in tax revenues.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, standard of living, women
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Job inequality leads to income inequality
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Dec. 8, 2011
The cause of income inequality is… technology and changes in the labour market… The solution… is highly paid employment… The real story is not about transfers, social spending and taxing the rich. It’s about jobs, skills and education. These should be the main thrusts of public policy… Ensure that Canada has the most ambitious, tech-savvy, knowledgeable and experienced workers, equipped with skills that cannot be easily outsourced, and income inequality will fade into insignificance.
Tags: economy, globalization, standard of living, tax
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Corporate ‘welfare’ costs Ontario $3-billion a year: report
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Dec 8, 2011
Ontario’s massive “corporate welfare” spending is unfair, inefficient and costs more than $3-billion per year, according to a new report by the Fraser Institute… By getting corporate welfare off the books, Ontario could have an extra $3.1-billion per year to virtually eliminate the province’s health premium, bring down the deficit or… reduce the corporate tax rate to 8%.Mr. Milke’s report places blame for corporate welfare equally on Ontario’s Liberal, NDP and Progressive Conservative governments. “All parties are guilty of this right across the country”…
Tags: budget, economy, ideology, standard of living, tax
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It hurts dancing to supply management’s tune
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
Dec. 02, 2011
After months of prevaricating, the Harper government announced two weeks ago that, yes, it was joining the [Trans Pacific Partnership] but would, of course, protect supply management in the negotiations. Except that other TPP countries don’t agree with Ottawa’s interpretation. For them, no country can join by establishing preconditions… If Canada got an exemption for supply management, then Japan and South Korea would want one for their farmers. Other countries would then demand this or that break, and the TPP’s considerable ambitions would be watered down.
Tags: economy, globalization, ideology, rights, standard of living
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Trends in Canada’s Payroll Taxes
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Nov. 29, 2011
Over the years, EI premiums have declined considerably overall, while CPP contributions have risen. However, the combined amount of payroll taxes has risen only modestly, mainly in the first half of the 1990s. And since 2002, maximum combined payroll taxes have remained roughly level at around $2,900 in gross terms and $2,500 in net (after federal tax credit) terms. Canada’s payroll taxes are low by international standards.
Tags: economy, ideology, pensions, standard of living, tax
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Blueprint for a modern EI system
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Nov 17 2011
It would be impossible to do justice to its 122-page report, Making It Work, in a newspaper column. Here is a brief glimpse of its principal recommendations: • Treat all unemployed workers equally… • Create a temporary benefit for workers who don’t qualify for EI coverage… • Test the feasibility of wage insurance for longtime employees of dying industries… • Take job training out of EI entirely… Regrettably, this analysis is out of sync with the government’s mindset. It sees nothing wrong with the existing program. It is loath to make life comfortable for the unemployed. Austerity is its watchword.
Tags: economy, ideology, standard of living, tax
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Providing shelter for the unemployed
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Nov. 18, 2011
Many groups of workers are poorly served by the current system, including the self-employed, part-timers, those who hold multiple jobs, contract workers, immigrants and younger workers. Those who fall outside of the EI umbrella are just as poorly served by the system in Halifax and St. John’s as they are in Kingston and Saskatoon… a new national framework is required, one more transparent, client-centred and equitable.
Tags: economy, ideology, standard of living, tax
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Treat unemployed workers equally across Canada
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Nov. 16, 2011
It had been supposed that local unemployment rates were a good indicator of how long it would take for a person who has been laid off to find a new job. That turns out not to be true. Moreover, the levels of GDP per capita have been converging across Canada, while the EI system has mistakenly continued to treat whole areas of the country as if they were underdeveloped regions, fostering among some people a habit of dependence.
Tags: budget, disabilities, ideology, rights, standard of living
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Graphic: Taking measure of Canada’s provinces
Sunday, November 13th, 2011
Nov 12, 2011
Statistics Canada released new data this week about how the economies of Canadian provinces and territories grew and shrank in 2010. The National Post’s graphics team takes a look. [see graphic]
Tags: economy, housing, standard of living
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We need growth that creates jobs
Saturday, November 12th, 2011
Nov 11 2011
… let me emphasize another key element of a truly sustainable recovery — the social dimension. We need growth, but we need growth that produces jobs. Without jobs, the great risk is that a generation of young people becomes unmoored from the productive economy and the bonds of society. We need growth, but we need growth that is inclusive. As is borne out by recent IMF research, more equal income distribution is good for macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.
Tags: economy, ideology, standard of living, youth
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