And what if there was a Sweden on the Saint-Lawrence?
Comparing inequality between societies is useful, if only to remind us that inequality is not like gravity: there is no “law of inequality”. Political choices matter. True, worsening inequality trends...
Income inequality: A matter of life and death
Most Canadians would agree that all citizens should be able to develop their individual talents and capacities and to meet at least their basic needs. We may differ on just...
A disappeared aid agency in search of a non-existent policy mandate
The decision to terminate CIDA as an independent agency of the federal government was not mentioned in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s budget speech on March 21. Furthermore, it is somewhat...
Budget 2013: Jim Flaherty not skating to where the puck is going to be
Lost in all of the detail of Budget 2013 is the fact that it makes remarkably little difference to the trajectory Canada was on before the budget. Cuts to programs...
Budget 2013: Canada needs productivity and sustainability
If there is one priority for the budget, it should be to look beyond the immediate fiscal issues and set a clear direction to a new economy based upon high productivity...
Proposing a green economic direction in the face of conservative confusion
In the lead-up to the 2013 budget it is worthwhile recalling the Conservatives’ economic record thus far. Faced with the 2008 economic bust, and a potential ouster from government, the Conservatives...
It’s time for Ottawa to walk the talk on skills training
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty thinks the provinces are wasting $2-billion in federal funding to support worker training, and says skills training will be “a priority of the budget.” While employers...
Introducing our first Broadbent Fellow: Brendan Haley
At the Broadbent Institute, we’re working hard to develop cutting-edge ideas for a more equal Canada. At the core of this project, we need a robust discussion about the kind...
Ahead of 2013 budget, Flaherty should be serious about investing in public infrastructure
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is said to be considering extending funding for public infrastructure investment in his forthcoming budget, as urged by the Official Opposition, the provinces and municipalities. Let’s...
Federal Government Must Ensure Citizens Have Equal Access to Services
Canada is one of the most decentralized federations in the world. Public services (notably health, education at all levels, social services such as elder care, and local services) are delivered...
