February 22, 2018
In the weeks leading up to Family Day, Canada’s governments did what many families often do: argue about money. This year’s quibble focused on the Equalization program – and largely missed the mark.
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November 29, 2017
Tech advances should prompt government to radically increase efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services. Read More
November 27, 2017
The history books will say that the Confederation of Tomorrow conference was about the Constitution, the Quiet Revolution, official bilingualism, or the expansion of provincial powers. But at its heart, the conference was really about two things: leadership and dialogue. Read More
November 25, 2017
Has everyone suddenly forgotten how to negotiate?
Glance at the news headlines, and you’ll find a series of high-stakes talks that are either deadlocked or derailed.
Talks to re-negotiate NAFTA have barely begun and already there are fears that the largest player is about to walk away from the table (or never really wanted to reach a deal in the first place). Read More
October 10, 2017
Canada’s employment insurance (EI) system is a major plank of the country’s social architecture. However, the system, now 75 years old, is failing to meet its original intent. EI was established to protect workers against income loss while temporarily out of work and to provide access to job opportunities through training. In order to meet those objectives today, EI needs major reforms. Indeed, the shortfalls that exist in 2017 will only be amplified as the employment landscape continues to change significantly in the decades ahead. Read More
September 27, 2017
With political news focused on federal tax changes, a federal cabinet shuffle, and federally-led NAFTA renegotiations, it is easy to lose sight of the where the weight of governing falls in Canada. According to the OECD, Canada’s provincial, territorial and local governments account for nearly four out of every five public dollars spent – a level of decentralization unmatched by any other developed country. Read More
August 9, 2017
Each fresh wave of results from the 2016 Census brings a new appreciation for Canada’s deepening diversity, and last week’s release is no exception. As of 2016, 23 per cent of Canadians have a language other than English or French as their “mother tongue.” That figure rises to 29 per cent in Ontario and a remarkable 47 per cent – almost one in two – in Toronto. Read More
June 29, 2017
Canadians have seen the world of work rapidly reshape itself around them in the past 30 years. Globalization, technological change, declining unionization rates and new business strategies are among the forces that have combined to create a labour market characterized by stagnant wages and eroding job quality. Read More
May 16, 2017
After decades of serial neglect, the last two federal budgets have together committed $180 billion over 12 years for investments in Canada’s beleaguered public infrastructure. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address a chronic infrastructure deficit that everyone agrees is a real barrier to our economic growth. Read More
October 28, 2016
Recently, Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau elicited strong reactions by suggesting Canadians need to get used to precarious employment because it’s the new normal. But the reality could be much worse. Read More
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