Here, on how Carillion’s collapse points out one of the most important failings of Brad Wall’s tenure in office. For further reading…– Plenty of others have also weighed in on the Carillion story and the dangers of putting corporate interests in charge of public services, including Simon Jenkins, Will Hutton,
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Accidental Deliberations: New column day
Here, on the positive natural effects of minimum wage increases – and why we shouldn’t lose them to the threat of artificial problems being created by employers looking for excuses to exploit their workers. For further reading…– The Bank of Canada’s staff analytical note on the effect of planned minimum
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Here, on the still-growing gap between the income of CEOs and that of workers at large – and a few of the fixes which might help to reverse the trend. For further reading…– Again, David Macdonald’s latest report for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is here (PDF). And for
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Here, on how Donald Trump is just one of far too many politicians trying to undercut needed counterbalances in the media, political systems and civil society. For further reading…– Rem Reider’s story offers a few examples of Trump’s attacks on the press.– Althia Raj reported on Bill Morneau’s complaints about
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Here, on some of the economic ideas on offer from Ryan Meili and Trent Wotherspoon in Saskatchewan’s NDP leadership campaign. For further reading…– I’ve talked about some of the points of commonality between the candidates’ platforms here.– And the column responds in part to Murray Mandryk’s view that there’s some
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Here, on how Quebec’s latest poverty plan falls far short of the “basic income” title it’s received in some national coverage – and on how we should insist on political leadership toward the genuine article. For further reading…– CBC has reported on the new plan and the response it’s received,
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Here, on how the Saskatchewan Party’s sad excuse for a climate change strategy (PDF) is really aimed at nothing more than excusing continued carbon pollution. For further reading…– I wrote just a couple of weeks ago about the Saskatchewan public’s strong appetite for real action against climate change – making
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Here, on how the spin behind the Trump administration’s push for a massive tax giveaway to the rich has no basis in economic reality – and how Canada shouldn’t be suckered into following suit. For further reading…– Michael Linden examines the overall effects of the Senate’s version of tax reform
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Here, on how the Saskatchewan Party’s climate obstruction is entirely out of touch with the province’s citizens. For further reading…– Abacus Data’s national poll of attitudes toward climate change policy is here, with the separate chart pointing out the views of Saskatchewan and Alberta respondents looking to be particularly significant.–
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Here, on how beyond the scandals and failures we’ve seen to date, the Global Transportation Hub was always built on a dangerous desire to allow businesses to escape rules and democratic oversight. For further reading…– Geoff Leo reports here on Brightenview’s use of benefits for “rural” investors to try to
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Here, summarizing a few of my earlier blog posts on the state of the Saskatchewan NDP’s leadership campaign – and the choice between two positive and appealing leaders that played out in the first debate. For further reading…– Jason Hammond offered his take on the debate and the provincial convention.
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Here, on how Brad Wall’s belated attempts to muddy the waters can’t avoid a clear verdict that he’s selling off Saskatchewan’s commonwealth for corporate gain. For further reading…– Kendall Latimer reported on Wall’s announcement that the price of previously-announced corporate tax cuts will be directed toward some other business-oriented use.–
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Here, on the latest confirmation from the Parliamentary Budget Office that a national pharmacare plan would both improve our health and save public money – and the Libs’ and Cons’ insistence on standing in the way. For further reading…– Brent Patterson weighs in on the Libs’ refusal to work toward
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Here, on the growing gap between the Trudeau Libs’ “middle class” messaging and the self-perception of a growing working class in Canada. For further reading…– Ekos’ polling is discussed here, with detailed tables here (PDF).– The Libs’ 2015 platform is again here (PDF). And again, PressProgress discussed Bill Morneau’s message
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Here, on the Saskatchewan Party’s choice to poison our province rather than coming clean about the dangers of sour gas. For further reading…– I’ll link again to the reports from the National Observer and the Star on the sour gas hazard and cover-up, along with Emily Eaton’s take (and Elizabeth
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Here, on the corporate sector’s expectation that it will be able to write laws and set public policy for its own benefit – and the disturbing number of examples of it being allowed to do just that. For further reading…– Jenny Uechl reported on both the secret CAPP meetings which
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Here, on how the Libs’ weakness in closing even modest loopholes is allowing tax entitlement to win out over tax fairness. For further reading…– Justin Ling offers a useful look at the minor moves to rein in the abuse of private corporations in this year’s budget. Konrad Yakabuski rightly argues
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Here, on how little Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party ultimately seem to have learned from the fall of Grant Devine and the PCs. For further reading…– Geoff Leo continues to report on the GTH scandal, including the recent revelation that the Saskatchewan Party went out of its way to
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Here, asking why Justin Trudeau and Gerald Butts are so willing to offer political cover to the Trump administration (including the now-departed Steve Bannon). For further reading…– Ryan Lizza’s report on Bannon’s relationship with Butts is here. And Adam Radwanski had previously reported on the Libs’ strategy of cultivating relationships
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Here, following up on my recent posts as to the state of the federal NDP’s leadership race as of today’s membership deadline. For much more material on the leadership campaign, I’ll simply point again to the reference page here. And I’ll encourage anybody interested in the NDP’s place in Canadian
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