Flaherty has a Canadian household debt problem
In the last five years, the Canadian economy has faced a seemingly endless string of economic threats from abroad—from debt spirals in Europe to political gridlock in the United States. But today the Canadian economy faces a new threat. This past September, Canadian household debt hit a record high of 166 per cent of […]
Feds focused on economy, balanced budget by 2015
As the chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance since 2009, I have had the opportunity to closely study the recovery of the Canadian economy in today’s increasingly interconnected and globalized world. Although a half a decade has passed since the 2008–2009 global financial and economic crisis, the after-effects continue to […]
Government will meet challenges ahead: Flaherty
In the eight years I have served as Canada’s Finance minister, our country’s economic performance has consistently placed us at or near the top of the Group of Seven (G7) developed economies. Our government has had an unwavering commitment to a strong financial sector, and been willing to act, and act quickly, when confronted […]
Feds plan to appoint financial literacy leader by year’s end
The federal government is expected to appoint a new financial literacy leader by year’s end, but opposition critics say the government needs to take a more active role in job creation as personal debt levels continue to rise. A Finance Department official speaking on background confirmed that the government is planning to appoint the […]
Battle over credit card fees returns with consumer-focused House
Canada’s retail and financial services sectors are both angling to represent the public interest following Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s “pro-consumer” Speech from the Throne. The ongoing battle between retailers and credit card issuers is showing no sign of cooling off following the Competition Tribunal’s summer decision to refer the dispute back to the feds […]
Where do we go from here? Canada’s Forgotten Peoples
As the national chief for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, I would like to take this opportunity to provide my opinion about the recent historic ruling issued through the Federal Court by Michael Phelan regarding the recognition that Métis and non-status Indians are Indians within the Constitution (Daniels vs. the Queen). This discussion comes at […]
The N.W.T. advantage: our model for growth
Northern, remote and First Nations communities across Canada face a number of daunting, but exciting challenges in the coming years. How can we unlock the vast potential of our natural resources to create jobs and durable prosperity for our people, while ensuring environmental sustainability and conservation? How can we ensure that First Nations, […]
Inuit want to secure basic standard of living on par with other Canadians, that is all
June is an invigorating month. In the Arctic, it brings the last heavy snowfalls before melt-up. To Inuit, the month is known as Manniit, or eggs, because after a winter of seal and fish, we can feast on the eggs of snow geese and ducks. In Canada, June is National Aboriginal History month, a time […]
Métis Nation and Canada’s Labour Force Development
The Hill Times has highlighted the fact that aboriginal peoples under the age of 30 are the fastest-growing segment of Canada’s workforce and identified the need to engage them more in meeting Canada’s increasingly pressing labor market challenges. The Métis people have a unique and dynamic role to play in this development. Of the […]
Aboriginal education: Canada’s moral obligation, constitutional responsibility
All Canadian children have a right to basic education and, for First Nations, it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure they have that access. But it is also in all of our interests to close unacceptable gaps in First Nations’ education funding and graduation because, in failing to do so, we are […]
