Opinion
A green and just recovery would benefit all Canadians
By Kyla Tienhaara and Ronald Labonté September 21, 2020
Canada, with its own sovereign currency, can create billions in new money simply by selling bonds to its central bank, something the government has been doing at the rate of $5-billion/week since March. As long as inflation remains low there is little risk in the government continuing to do so. If there ever was a time to take that slight risk and to spend big, it is now.
Canada's federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, pictured. Mega-investing in green technologies is imperative and will bring employment opportunities, although it is not a panacea in economic or environmental terms. Particular attention must be paid to the equity dimension of a green industrial strategy, write Kyla Tienhaara and Ronald Labonté. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Earlier this month, Prime Minister JustinTrudeau indicated that he would unveil an ambitious green spending plan in the Speech from the Throne on Sept. 23. But by mid-month, the Liberals had started backtracking on this messaging. A $100-billion proposal was reportedly shelved out of concern that the government might be viewed as “hijacking” or “taking advantage” of the pandemic to pursue an “agenda.” This is terribly short-sighted.
Related Stories
‘Sharper knives out earlier’ to bring down O’Toole after election defeat, say some Conservative MPs
It would be a mistake to change the party leader after every election loss, say some Conservative MPs and political insiders.Among 18 defeated incumbents, British Columbia, Ontario see most unseated MPs; Conservatives drop nine incumbents, Liberal lose eight
At least 18 ridings saw incumbents lose their contest this election, with the most Conservatives taking the fall, at nine, followed by eight liberals, and one Green MP.
PM snap election call faces challenge by Democracy Watch in Federal Court
Democracy Watch is seeking a Federal Court ruling that would prohibit the prime minister from calling a snap election, unless a vote of non-confidence in the government occurs before the fixed election date.Signs point to mid-October return for Parliament, full agenda for government
A budget bill, media reforms, and the conversion therapy crackdown could lead the Liberals’ fall agenda.Liberals call for collaboration in minority Parliament, while O’Toole fends off challenges
The Liberals were on track to win 159 seats, the Conservatives 119, the Bloc Québécois 33, the NDP 25, and the Green Party two, as ballots from the Sept. 20 federal election were still being counted last week.Alberta energy sector has opportunity with two Liberal MPs elected in province, say lobbyists
Liberal MPs Randy Boissonnault and George Chahal were elected in Alberta ridings in the 2021 federal election, providing the largely Conservative province with more clout in Ottawa, according to some lobbyists.With slight seat gain, NDP has potential to hold ‘balance of power’ in new Parliament
The New Democrats could play a role in Parliament similar to one they played in the 1960s, when they pushed Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson to enact progressive policies like Medicare and the Canada Pension Plan, say stIncreasing tally of early voters adding new dimension to campaign calculus
Advance voting jumped as much as 19.5 per cent this election, and use of special ballots, the majority of which are filled out ahead of election day, increased by roughly 59.4 per cent.Trudeau ‘dodged the bullet’ but will now run the country and party from a ‘weakened’ position, say politicos
'They had that big stick in their hand, which was the election call. They cannot call an election for at least the next year, without the opposition doing egregious things,' says pollster Greg Lyle.Trending Stories
