Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Steven Greenhouse discusses how the U.S.’ economy is rigged against workers. And Eric Levitz writes that Donald Trump’s giveaway to the rich worked only as a scam against the rest of the country. – Matthew Townsend and Scott Lanman point out that minimum
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Accidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Joanne Light and Cathy Orlando point out that we don’t have any more time to waste in reining in a climate breakdown in progress. And Justin Ling writes that we should be far more concerned about Canada’s massive and increasing deficit in
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Alberta merchants maintain $15 minimum wage
One of the first things the new UCP government in Alberta has done is lower the minimum wage for young workers from $15 to $13. Some Alberta merchants are having none of it. A growing group of companies has committed to paying their employees at least $15 an hour regardless
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Ten things to know about this year’s Alberta Alternative Budget
The Alberta Alternative Budget (AAB) is an annual exercise whose working group consists of researchers, economists, and members of civil society (full disclosure: I’m the Editor). Our general mandate is to create a progressive vision for Alberta to boost economic growth and reduce income inequality. This year’s document was released
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The minimum wage creates jobs—who knew?
With the election of conservative governments in Ontario and Alberta, progress on minimum wages in those provinces came to a screaming halt. In Ontario, the planned increase to $15 an hour was cancelled and capped at $14. In Alberta the minimum wage of $15 an hour was reduced to $13
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: MEDIA RELEASE: Alberta should increase social spending; cuts are not the way to go
(June 24, 2019-Calgary) With Alberta’s economy still facing challenges and vulnerabilities, the Alberta government should not be doling out tax cuts or cutting social spending, according to the Alberta Alternative Budget (AAB) released today. “Alberta still has, by far, the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio of any province,” says Nick Falvo, editor
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Acknowledging public reaction, Edmonton Public Library drops plan to cut pages’ wages, strikes deal with union
Acknowledging negative feedback received by Edmonton Public Library about its plan to reduce pay rates for youth pages in line with the United Conservative Party Government’s cuts to the minimum wage, EPL Chief Executive Officer Pilar Martinez said today the Library would maintain current student pay rates. In an official
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Hiding behind UCP youth minimum wage cut, Edmonton Public Library slashes library pages’ pay
Using the wording of its collective agreement with Civic Service Union 52 as an excuse, and the United Conservative Government’s minimum wage reduction for students under 18 as the trigger, Edmonton Public Library is handing its youth pages pay cuts of $2.30 to $2.50 per hour. This is pretty shameful
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – James Murray highlights what climate protests have accomplished so far, while emphasizing the need to turn activism into policy change over the objections of the Very Serious People determined to dismiss climate action as impractical. And Kate Aronoff, Alyssa Battistoni, Daniel Aldana
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Andrew Phung highlights how important it is for younger voters to be heard in Alberta’s election. Travis Benson offers plenty of suggestions as to why even people who aren’t always NDP supporters should be happy to re-elect Rachel Notley. And PressProgress rounds
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Crawford Kilian writes that Canada’s Changing Climate Report should be a loud wakeup call about the need to avert climate breakdown, even as far too many people try to deny there’s a problem or refuse to discuss meaningful solutions. Graham Thomson calls out
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. – CBC reports on Canada’s Changing Climate Report showing that we’re facing climate change twice as severe as the rest of the world, while Phil Tank writes about the anticipated effects on Saskatoon in particular. And the Canadian Press reports on the latest report
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Jay Shambaugh, Ryan Nunn and Stacy Anderson write about the lasting effects of racial and regional inequality. – Samuel Stein discusses the lessons activists can take from New York’s successful pushback against Amazon’s demands for billions in public giveaways. And Joseph Stiglitz
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Sorry, Not Enought “Human Capital”
Restaurant Canada wants Alberta’s $15/hour minimum wage reduced for youth, liquor servers and people with disabilities. Mr Kenney says he’ll consider a reduction for youth and alcohol servers. No word yet on his position on people with disabilities but given his rhetoric (see below) we can assume people with disabilities
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – The Courage Coalition makes the case for Canada to pursue a Green New Deal of its own. And Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood points out the intergenerational harm of leaving climate breakdown to continue unabated, while Alastair Sharp reports on a new paper as to the
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Happy Valentine’s Day! Don’t worry, even with a fair minimum wage, you can take your sweetie to a restaurant tonight!
Readers whose hearts are breaking at Restaurants Canada’s tale of woe supposedly caused by increases in the minimum wage and other calamities can take some Valentine’s Day comfort from the fact that despite all the tears Albertans have been dining out in record numbers. Last fall’s annual report on the
Continue readingPolitical Potshots: Slaying The Minimum Wage Boogeyman (And Some News)
Before I jump in, a few housekeeping items. I have a new landing page for my blog at political-potshots.com. I will be looking add more functionality soon. I would also like to announce that I have joined the family at Progressive Bloggers! I have long admired this website, and it
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Ploy Achakulwisat writes about the health emergencies emanating from an ongoing climate breakdown. And Andy Kroll points out that even in the U.S., a concerted effort of corporate spinmeisters and anti-environment politicians hasn’t been able to override the public’s concern about climate change.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. – Sara Mojtehedzadeh reports that the Ford government’s move to strip sick days away from workers was made without any attempt to consider the consequences for public health. And Emma Paling reports on how public protests at least delayed the final passage of the
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Evening Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Katrina Miller writes that Canada’s economic future lies in developing equitable and sustainable growth, not following the U.S. in its race to the bottom: There is a growing body of evidence that rising inequality is threatening every aspect of our collective well-being
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