Archive for the ‘Governance’ Category
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »
Ford government should clearly explain rationale for invoking notwithstanding clause
Whatever one thinks of the use of the notwithstanding clause, few scholars would advocate for government-by-notwithstanding-clause. Such an approach would seriously undermine constitutional rights protections. Any use of the notwithstanding clause should be preceded by serious, reasoned deliberation, both within the executive and in the legislature. The Ford government should clearly explain its rationale for seeking to invoke the clause.
Tags: budget, featured, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Doug Ford is trampling on the rights of all Ontarians
For the past 36 years, ever since the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was entrenched in Canada’s Constitution, Ontario premiers of all political persuasions managed to govern while respecting our fundamental rights… none… found it necessary to brush aside basic Charter freedoms and invoke the Constitution’s nuclear option, the “notwithstanding” clause, to exercise their will.
Tags: ideology, jurisdiction, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | 1 Comment »
Ford majority exposes democratic crisis
The Ontario election is yet another symptom of a democratic dilemma facing Canada. A minority of voters elect the government. The leaders then claim a mandate to make changes not widely supported by the majority. When voters are left to wonder whether their vote really matters, they lose confidence. When voters lose confidence, many just don’t show up at the polls… A ranked or preferential ballot might be the easiest way to address both the federal and provincial representative dilemma.
Tags: featured, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Courts are catching up to Ford’s ‘unlawful’ ways
Smart governments focus on wise legislation, not wild litigation. Let us count the legal battles looming over the Tories after two months in office: … the premier’s impulsive meddling in the middle of Toronto’s municipal elections… the government’s arbitrary rollback of the updated sexual education curriculum… a minimum income program prematurely cancelled… cancellation of Ontario’s cap and trade program… Rolling back renewable energy laws… recklessly endangering lives by suspending emergency prevention sites
Tags: featured, ideology, participation, poverty, privatization, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
It’s time to take consultations with First Nations seriously
Justice Eleanor Dawson wrote: “Meaningful consultation is not intended simply to allow Indigenous peoples ‘to blow off steam’ before the Crown proceeds to do what it always intended to do. Consultation is meaningless when it excludes from the outset any form of accommodation.” … In sum, consultation needs to be done when Indigenous rights are affected by a development. Consultation must include the possibility of accommodation. Each affected First Nation is entitled to its own consultations, particular to their own circumstances.
Tags: economy, featured, ideology, Indigenous, participation, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Crazy rich Canadians: How to tax the 1%
… federal and provincial governments have pursued the wrong strategy by pushing up rates above 50 per cent. Instead, a far better approach would have been to broaden tax bases that would have mitigated rather increased the scope for tax avoidance and, at the same time simplify, reduce distortions and improve fairness… it’s time to have a serious effort at reviewing the tax system to grow the economy and make taxes fair.
Tags: economy, featured, globalization, ideology, tax
Posted in Governance Policy Context | No Comments »
Ford picks up class war where Mike Harris left off
Now, in Ontario, we’re back to a full-frontal embrace of inequality… What makes this revival particularly insidious is that Ford didn’t campaign on it; he refused to reveal where he’d wield the knife to produce $6 billion in spending cuts, and specifically denied he would end the Basic Income Pilot Project… Another clear signal… was its decision last month to cut in half the scheduled increase in benefits for social assistance recipients, including those with disabilities.
Tags: budget, disabilities, ideology, participation, poverty, standard of living, tax
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Most CRA auditors polled say Canada’s tax system is skewed to protect the wealthy
More than eight out of 10 of those polled agreed that “tax credits, tax exemptions, and tax loopholes disproportionately benefit corporations and wealthy Canadians compared to average Canadians.” And 45 per cent agreed that CRA’s mandate has been “compromised by political interference”… The online survey… included managers, forensic accountants, economists, statisticians and actuaries… “Nobody knows better how income from all sources is assessed and turned into tax revenue,” says the poll summary.
Tags: economy, featured, ideology, standard of living, tax
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Sorry, but I’ve had enough of saying sorry
The modern euphemism for men like Macdonald and Langevin is that they had “complicated” legacies or personal stories. What that means is that they were men of their time and place, subject to the common failings (that is, racism or misogyny) of their era, plus burdened with personal weaknesses. Of course they were. Who isn’t?
Tags: ideology, Indigenous, multiculturalism
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
A buck-a-beer: the symbol of Ontario populism
Populist politicians use sentimental yearnings for times past to strike a chord with people who are unsure about how to confront today’s intricate problems. Voters are discouraged by complexities and fearful about the future. The past seems like a safer place to be… Current models offer a more indirect and restrained form of governance, away from the bans and prohibitions of the past and toward more subtle incentives to encourage the right type of behaviour, from environmental compliance to health promotion.
Tags: ideology, jurisdiction, participation, standard of living, tax
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Recent Comments