THIS MAGAZINE: BECAUSE EVERTHING IS POLITICAL

Search for:

• FEATURES
• THIS & THAT
• ARTS & IDEAS
• FICTION & POETRY
• LETTERS
• BLOG THIS
•  
• SUBSCRIBE
• BACK ISSUES
• SUPPORT THIS
•  
• ABOUT THIS
• CONTRIBUTORS
• CONTACT THIS
• ADVERTISE
• SITE MAP

Home » Blog This

October 15, 2008

Harper's Economics 101

Posted by Daniel Tseghay at 02:56 PM ET | Comments (0)

In the wake of Stephen Harper's and the Conservative Party's win last night, the leader has drawn a six-point economic plan. He spoke today of holding a conference with first ministers; issuing a fiscal update by the end of November; and forging an expanded relationship with the European Union. This last one involves freer trade based on a prospective bilateral agreement between Canada and the EU.

Interestingly, this happens the same day the Globe and Mail publishes a commentary by Roy MacLaren, co-chairman of the Canada-Europe Roundtable for Business. He endorses the idea of eliminating tariffs and increasing bilateral trade.

This leaves us wondering if liberalization and deregulation are, in fact, part of the solution to this economic problem; and why Harper failed to discuss this plan earlier. Why did he wait until the day after he'd won the election to unveil this plan? Transparency is an essential aspect of both elected and potential governments alike, and Harper seems to have stumbled his way through the gate.

More entries on: Economics

August 27, 2008

Mr. Layton goes to Denver (updated)

Posted by Graham F. Scott at 02:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

A press release came in this afternoon saying that NDP leader Jack Layton is spending three days at the Democratic National Convention in Denver to talk to the Dems' labour caucus, among others, and see if he can shake some important hands. Now, the NDP's electoral standing in Canada isn't exactly on par with the U.S. Democrats, and Layton isn't pulling Obama-level numbers himself (we've been over that already). However, Obama and Layton share one thing, which is that the United Steelworkers of America endorsed them both at its annual convention in Las Vegas in July. The Steelworkers' position is: Obama for President, Layton for Prime Minister.

I talked with Layton's press secretary this afternoon, who explained just what Layton is hoping to get from his Denver trip. His comments are after the jump:

"Mr. Layton has an interest in finding out more about the campaign. It's had quite a lot of attention here in Canada and we do share a lot of the same values and messaging [of] hope for working families here in Canada.

Back when Naftagate happened, We wrote to Senator Obama and Senator Clinton calling on them to stand together with us in order to favour reopening of Nafta. That's the kind of dialogue that we hope to keep going with the Democrats."

I'll update this post if I hear back from the Liberals and Conservatives. Do they have operatives in Denver, officially or un-? Or are they too busy playing electoral chicken?

UPDATE: The Conservatives tell me they have four people working the floor at the DNC. Director of Communications Ryan Sparrow says they have no specific aim, just that "Canada-U.S. relations are always important."

More entries on: American Politricks | Economics | Labour

February 22, 2008

New China's catch-22

Posted by derek at 01:33 PM ET | Comments (1)

For the past twenty years, the Chinese state has been luring foreign capital to their country with the promise of cheap wages, abundant natural resources, good infrastructure, and a massive internal market. The hope is that the flows of foreign cash will spur development that will vault China into developed-country-status by 2050.

The problem, as the Chinese government is finding out, is that capital has no loyalty. As the Globe and Mail reports in a story today, China is facing an influx of foreign goods made in even lower-cost countries like Indonesia and Vietnam. China is also losing some of its garment factories to places like Bangladesh. It's an example of how capital works on a global scale - zipping here and there, setting down roots wherever it can get the greatest profit, and then moving on to the next big score.

It presents an interesting catch-22 for the Chinese-inspired development model. The strategy promises to lift countries out of third-world status, but the very character of the development necessitates their continuing poverty.

PHOTO ALEXANDRA MOSS, FLICKR

More entries on: Economics | From the intern desk | Global politics

April 17, 2007

prime green

Posted by john_d at 02:25 PM ET | Comments (2)

(image courtesy Citizens Bank of Canada)

At my office today, I stumbled upon the press conference launching Citizens Bank of Canada's new Green Mortgage product. They have partnered with the Conservation Council of Ontario (who are co-tenants of mine at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto) and Green$aver to create a mortgage that combines a competitive lending rate with enviro-feel-goodness.

Take out a Green Mortgage with Citizens Bank and you also get a rebate on a Green$aver Home Energy Audit, and a new lidded curbside blue box filled with enviro-products, coupons and gift certificates worth almost $900. As well, they offer a low-rate $10,000 line of credit to help home owners follow energy audit renovation suggestions.

While they don't do this just yet, questions at the conference today suggest Citizens Bank may take the Green Mortgage further and look at discounted rates for already efficient homes, and location discounts for folks choosing to lower their nasty emissions by living close to transit and dense urban cores.

Most importantly, IMO, Citizens Bank gives a $100 donation to the Conservation Council of Ontario for every Green Mortgage sold -- all part of their "Ethical Policy."

Now, I'm as cynical as the next person, but when was the last time you heard of a bank with an "Ethical Policy?"

More entries on: Economics

March 16, 2007

Budget This!

Posted by shawnsyms at 12:34 PM ET | Comments (1)

Despite a comparatively small population, Canada has one of the world's largest Gross Domestic Products (a key indicator of overall economic health). Yet over 1.2 million of our children across the country live in poverty.

The problem is the federal budget, says the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Rather than reflecting the needs of most Canadians, the CCPA suggests, government budgets often favour elite business interests and emerge from brazen electoral strategies. Since 1994, the centre has produced its own alternative budgets after a lengthy consulation with a range of civil society organizations. And they just released the results of a poll indicating that a majority of Canadians would support a government committed to reducing the gap between the rich and the poor.

Is that what the impending Tory budget will do? The CCPA is not holding its breath. Instead, it just released its own kick at the can, showing what could be done differently to promote social justice while maintaining a balanced budget. A few of the highlights: an increased minimum wage, honouring agreements with First Nations and increasing funding for women's programs instead of cutting them. The difference could be made up in part by additional taxes on the rich and eliminating tax loopholes that unfairly benefit large corporations.

The CCPA notes the Tories are currently promoting a spending spree of their own, with a panoply of promises seemingly designed to curry favour before an expected election: "The Harper government is on the brink of exhausting its fiscal surplus on a pre-election spending plan that is at odds with what Canadians want. According to their senior economist Ellen Russell, the Tories' numbers just don't add up. "Prime Minister Harper's tax cuts plan is so expensive, he may soon find himself having to choose between putting the nation back into deficit or slashing programs," she argues.

Dreaming of a just Canada is one thing. Devising a tactical plan to help us get there is another altogether. To have a detailed look at the CCPA's vision for a different tomorrow, view their report here.

More entries on: Economics

---

 Subscribe to the feed

---

Blog This Must-Reads

---

---

---

Blog This Archives

October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
March 2000

---