Experts say government has a key role to play protecting crypto investors from bad actors

The flaws in the ‘swim at your own risk’ approach were evident after the 2008 financial crisis, says Carleton University researcher James Patriquin.
What should be on Canada’s policy radar?

We need leaders who can see the bigger picture of how different systems fit together and do the unglamourous behind-the-scenes work to get us ready for the next challenges that will pop up on the radar.
Canada’s financial sector is more than six big banks

There is a tendency in Ottawa to see the ‘financial sector’ as consisting of six institutions, but this excludes many smaller players.
Cases up, costs down: feds report $227.1-million in lost revenue, public money and property in 2021-22

The number of cases of lost public money due to an offence, illegal act, or accident in 2021-22 more than doubled, from 43,201 in 2020-21 to 120,538. But the value attached decreased by roughly 30.4 per cent.
Money for nothing?

OTTAWA—There has been a lot of news recently about defence procurement in Canada, and sadly, none of it has been positive. Last week, the Ottawa Citizen reported that Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux is warning that taxpayers will face a $300-billion price tag for 15 new warships. To be fair, that figure includes the […]
Canada can do better than a $306-billion Surface Combatants price tag

The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s Oct. 27 report on the life-cycle costs of the Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) estimated the total to be $306-billion. For most Canadians, I expect this comes as sticker shock. However, for those deeply ensconced in the business of defence procurement, this figure was expected. In fact, for over two […]
Politics This Morning: Canada’s ambassador to Haiti to brief Foreign Affairs Committee

Good Monday morning, Happy Halloween to those who celebrate, and happy sitting quietly in the dark and pretending you’re not home to those who don’t. Staff at Rideau Hall will distribute goodies to visitors of all ages from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ottawa time, but trick-or-treaters will have to brave bats, rats, spiders, and […]
Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO pushes back against calls for its abolishment

The federal government hopes Canadians will have more incentive to switch to electric cars thanks to a $500-million investment in the creation of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) charging and hydrogen refuelling stations recently announced by the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB). The official opposition Conservatives, however, believe the CIB is the wrong vehicle for anything, and simply […]
Federal government working at cross-purposes in realizing UNDRIP

The conclusion we are left to draw is the feds are not fully committed to entrusting key services to Indigenous institutions, to working as our partner, or to recognizing Indigenous economic rights in practice.
How a budget is made: a Q&A with former insider Sahir Khan

When does the budget process really start and finish? How are decisions made, and how do the best lobbyists get their issues addressed? A financial guru and former government budget-maker walks us through the process.