Time to fully cut fossil fuel subsidies
How can Canadians pretend to be addressing their responsibility around global warming (in other words, the destruction of our only planet) while the government continues to subsidize the fossil fuel industry? This is unacceptable. It’s time to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies completely. I understand that this industry now supports certain Canadian communities. […]
1981 budget a good lesson for Liberals
TORONTO—It is sometimes held that Finance Minister Bill Morneau backed away from a promise to end lucrative tax breaks for the well-to-do in last week’s budget because of Donald Trump. With the mercurial Trump occupying the White House, the theory goes, Morneau figured it would be foolish to fiddle with the Canadian tax system. Better […]
Parliament’s budget nearing $700-million, up almost 18 per cent in Trudeau era
The Trudeau government is planning to increase funding for Parliament again this year, bringing it close to $100-million higher than when the Liberals first took office, as costs for salaries, offices, and benefits grow along with membership in the expanded House and revamped Senate. Money set aside for the Hill, including costs for security and […]
Budget criticized for lack of public-service investment, no Phoenix fix
“Meh,” was how one public service union leader reacted after the federal government’s budget was unveiled last week, though there were positive reviews coming from educational interest groups, mixed reaction from the health sector, and a range of other assessments from those who had some interests riding on this federal budget. Chris Aylward, national executive […]
Two budget measures can actually unite Canada
OTTAWA—Everything old is new again. Two major new investments in last week’s federal budget involve housing and training. The re-establishment of a federal role for housing makes sense and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is the right vehicle to affirm national leadership. The same holds true for training investment. In a highly mobile world, […]
Right, not fast, is Morneau’s principle
TORONTO—Bill Morneau works in a building named after Jim Flaherty. No pressure there. The very walls seem to ask why Morneau, a political rookie whose adult life before politics was spent in some fairly cushy corporate precincts, can’t seem to display the offhand charm and crusty wit of his late Conservative predecessor. If the walls […]
Federal budget still allocates millions of dollars to fossil fuel industry
The federal budget presented on March 22 reduces some of the subsidies to the fossil fuel industry but still allocates hundreds of millions of dollars to them. Subsidizing the fossil fuel industry undermines actions being taken to fight climate change, including the many initiatives supported in this budget. The budget included some important steps to […]
“The 2017 federal budget is out. What are your main takeaways?”
Kate Purchase Liberal strategist “Budget 2017 is the next step in the Government’s long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class. With its strong focus on innovation and skills, Budget 2017 will help Canadians succeed in an increasingly globalized and tech-driven world. “From students looking to get work experience, to adult workers juggling […]
Feds want innovation, just not right now
TORONTO—If there is a core innovation message in the 2017 budget it is that we want and need a much more innovative Canada—but not right away. Increasing our capacity for innovation is critical for Canada’s future, as Finance Minister Bill Morneau said, over and over again, in his budget papers. So why not move on it? […]
Posh versus popcorn: unwinding at two post-budget parties
After spending the day in my first media budget lock-up, held this year at Ottawa’s Shaw Centre, I welcomed the chance to unwind, drink, and laugh at two after-parties where I bumped into many people with the same goal in mind. The evening started at one of political Ottawa’s favourite watering holes, the Métropolitain Brasserie, where […]
