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Do tax policies that contribute to competitiveness also create inequality?
Sunday, December 1st, 2019
Tax levels are rarely the first consideration for investors, unless the “investment” is a tax dodge… regulations matter, proximity to markets matter; and so do… a healthy and well-educated work force, well-maintained infrastructure, reliable energy, transportation and communications systems, and a robust justice system backed by widely trusted social institutions.
Tags: economy, globalization, ideology, jurisdiction, standard of living, tax
Posted in Equality Policy Context | No Comments »
The great transformation: How to achieve a ‘Green New Deal’ for Canada
Sunday, November 17th, 2019
Key sectors of the economy – information and communications technology; power and electricity; transportation and logistics; real estate – are fast decoupling from fossil fuels in favour of ever-cheaper solar and wind energies and the accompanying clean technologies, green business practices and processes of circularity and resilience that are the central features of a Green New Deal… Canada needs to establish a bold new economic vision if it is to adapt and prosper.
Tags: economy, globalization, ideology, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
In new minority reality, unprecedented opportunities await Canada’s Senate
Friday, November 15th, 2019
In the past, tough topics around health care, mental-health challenges, legalization of cannabis, rural and urban poverty, constitutional reform, official-languages policy and the structure of foreign aid have been thoroughly, openly and constructively addressed by Senate committees… Every region of Canada is represented in the Senate, and its demographic and skills mix is representative of Canada as a whole.
Tags: ideology, jurisdiction, participation, Senate
Posted in Governance Debates | 1 Comment »
Uncomfortable climate change realities from an energy executive
Friday, November 15th, 2019
… Canadians have the ingenuity and know-how to develop our resources while advancing environmental protection, reducing the carbon intensity of our energy products, enriching the communities where we live and work, and working respectfully with local citizens and Indigenous peoples, all while generating national and local economic growth. The export of liquefied natural gas from B.C. is a fine example of this.
Tags: economy, globalization, participation, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
To fight regional economic disparity, Ontario needs Opportunity Zones
Thursday, November 14th, 2019
… the transition from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based economy seems to be exacerbating them as part of a global trend that urban scholar Richard Florida describes as “winner-take-all urbanism.”… This trend toward place-based bifurcation isn’t just about economic activity either. It’s manifesting itself in demography, educational attainment, health outcomes and other socioeconomic characteristics.
Tags: economy, participation, privatization, standard of living
Posted in Policy Context | No Comments »
Some harsh lessons on the failings of eldercare from Down Under
Wednesday, November 13th, 2019
The 272-page Australian report, in striking contrast, uses blunt language to reflect the frustrations and fears of patients and family members. It also demands immediate action, including an injection of funding for long-term home care services as a way to keep people out of institutional care.
Tags: disabilities, Health, mental Health, standard of living
Posted in Child & Family Delivery System | No Comments »
Restorative justice lets sexual-assault survivors take back their power
Tuesday, November 5th, 2019
Within Canada’s legal system, restorative justice has existed since 1974. It has been used primarily in cases involving young offenders and, within the past decade, has been increasingly used for sexual crimes. Prof. Wemmers says restorative justice allows victims to control their healing and take back their lives. Victims can question and get direct answers from their offenders… Victims also reported significantly higher rates of satisfaction and less post-traumatic stress.
Tags: budget, corrections, ideology, mental Health, participation
Posted in Child & Family Delivery System | No Comments »
How can we ration health care, without discrimination?
Wednesday, October 30th, 2019
Health-care providers cannot refuse care based on prejudices or stereotypes, but they can refuse or limit care if a medical condition could result in significant complications or costs. But exclusion criteria must be clear and based on evidence, and we can’t let bias creep in when making difficult rationing decisions… we have to debate these mind-bogglingly complex questions openly, not just punt them to the courts.
Tags: Health, ideology, jurisdiction, rights
Posted in Health Policy Context | No Comments »
A levy on consumption makes for more efficient taxation
Tuesday, October 29th, 2019
… there is growing recognition of the need for an objective, politically neutral tax reform commission to comprehensively examine possible improvements… our tax system has evolved based mostly on short-term political considerations… a shift of the tax base away from its current heavy reliance on taxing income, and toward taxing consumption… would include annual income… plus other annual cash inflows that increase ability to consume
Tags: featured, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, tax
Posted in Equality Delivery System | No Comments »
Ontario changing pharmacist payments to save government $436-million
Sunday, October 27th, 2019
Ontario has reached a tentative agreement with the province’s pharmacists that will see them take millions of dollars less in payments over the next half decade… It would also see the government pay pharmacists a flat fee for every patient receiving prescriptions in a long-term care home rather than paying for each individual prescription that’s issued… [and] scrap a $2 co-payment that long-term care residents currently pay on each prescription.
Tags: budget, Health, mental Health, pharmaceutical
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »
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