This was published in the Huffington Post on Wednesday May 18, 2016
Much has been written about the immediate negative impact the Trans-Pacific Partnership will have on some of our key economic sectors.
There is no shortage of examples.
Deep and fast cuts to vehicle tariffs and changes to North American content rules would encourage auto companies to move more jobs off-shore to low-wage jurisdictions, costing thousands of jobs.
Published in the Huffington Post Wednesday May 11, 2016
The startling images that have come out of Fort McMurray over the past week have shaken this country to its core.
Flames have engulfed whole neighbourhoods and forced an entire city of 88,000 to flee after a wild fire outside the city suddenly switched direction and grew faster than anyone expected. Dash cam videos of highways lined with fire and embers raining down like snow dominated social media.
This was published on May 5, 2016 in the Huffington Post
The ideal of a democracy such as ours is that we elect governments to enact laws in the general public interest. We may not each like every single law that is passed, but overall the laws passed should be in our general good interest.
Published in the Huffington Post Wednesday April 27, 2016
The digital revolution has brought many wonderful things.
Canadians can plug into international events from the comfort of their own home or office, or from just about anywhere thanks to mobile devices. And the world, we hope, can do the same to find out about the great north – Canada.
The challenge, it seems, is in making sure there’s Canadian content for the world to find and enjoy.
A review of Canadian content rules announced last week is welcome news, as long as it is done right.
Published in the Huffington Post Wednesday April 20, 2016
Two of Canada’s provinces that rely heavily on oil revenues are responding in completely different ways to the drop in oil prices.
Both brought down new budgets last Thursday. One is looking after its people through the tough times. The other is turning the screws on its hardest hit, just when they can afford it least.
This was published in the Huffington Post on Thursday March 31, 2016
The Employment Insurance changes in the federal budget last week mark a significant and positive change in attitude coming out of Ottawa.
Under the former Conservative Government, workers who lost their jobs had come to learn that Ottawa would not be there for them with an EI plan that would see them through the tough times of looking for a job as the government repeatedly chipped away at the eligibility for collecting benefits.
This was published in the Huffington Post on Thursday March 24, 2016
The first budget from the new Liberal government is full of promise, and even a few good moves on a several fronts. But it also fails to deliver in too many ways, such as support for the key auto and aerospace sectors.
Don’t get me wrong, there is much to celebrate in this budget, including the essential move to reject austerity and use the tools of government to simulate a weakening economy. But on each count, it seems, an opportunity was lost to do more.
This was published in the Huffington Post on Wednesday March 9th
The next seven months could be very nervous times in Canada’s forestry sector, particularly softwood lumber.
That’s because the Softwood Lumber Agreement that Canada signed with the U.S. in 2006 expired last October 12. Canada had hoped to simply renew the agreement at that time, but the U.S. refused. Instead, we have a one-year grace period in which the United States is obliged to refrain from brining new trade cases against Canadian lumber for one year. That ends next October.
Published in the Huffington Post Wednesday March 2, 2016
After some rather minor tinkering with one part of the CETA free trade deal with Europe, our new Liberal government is now saying the deal could be signed, ratified and in force by 2017.
Not so fast.
There is still much to be concerned with here. But we can still fix what’s wrong, and not just with CETA. The announcement Monday proves that.
Published in the Huffington Post February 24, 2016
Now is no time to be slaying deficits.
Ever since Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced Monday that the federal deficit would top $18.4 billion, all the familiar voices of right wing commentators, Bay Street analysts and Conservative politicians have made their all-too predictable calls for budget cuts and curtailed spending.
