COVID-19 will accelerate automation, and we must embrace it
WATERLOO—Over the last decade, the rise of robotics and artificial intelligence has emerged as a critical topic of discussion. By some estimates, almost half of existing jobs could be automated within a generation. Not surprisingly, then, managing this future of work has become a primary concern among the public and policy-makers alike. In 2018, under its […]
We must foster collaboration to build back better
How can we emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient? This is a question Canadians in all sectors, including business, are asking. Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will discuss how to re-ignite the economy at its annual general meeting. And at the Research Money conference last week, the private, public and academic sectors agreed on the […]
A comprehensive plan for zero GHG emissions by 2050
OTTAWA—Although we are still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not too early to start attacking the other emergency: climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Canada’s failure to meet previous GHG reduction targets can be traced to a lack of progressive targets for every emitter. Here, the target GHG reduction for […]
A snap election would actually be a welcome diversion
OTTAWA—The nail-biter vote in the House of Commons on Oct. 21 is a precursor of things to come. Two confidence votes, two near misses in two weeks prepares voters for the fact that an election will come sooner rather than later. A national campaign might be a nice break from the onslaught of bad news […]
Trudeau’s precedent-setting move on test of confidence suggests he’s willing ‘to take things to the brink’ of a snap election, say politicos
The decision to hold a confidence vote over the creation of a committee with powerful investigative authority raises questions about the precedent the Liberals may have set, inadvertently or not, says one strategist. Conservative strategist Marisa Maslink, a principal with McMillan Vantage, said the defeat of the Conservative motion to strike an “anti-corruption” committee focused […]
Feds’ pandemic wage subsidy could be lifeline—if it gets it right
The Speech from the Throne gave workers laid off due to the pandemic reason for hope and worry. Recognizing that phasing out recovery benefit programs would be a mistake, the government moved to extend benefits like the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021. CEWS was designed to keep workers affected by pandemic shutdowns connected […]
In parliamentary ‘game of chicken,’ NDP side with Liberals to defeat Conservative motion, averting snap election
The parliamentary showdown over the creation of a powerful committee ended on Wednesday, with the NDP and the Greens siding with the Liberals, snuffing out the possibility of a snap election—for the time being—as new coronavirus infections tick up. The nail-biter 146-180 vote came down in large part to the NDP. Its 24 representatives voted […]
Tough days for the wide boys
OTTAWA—After nearly four years of craven sycophancy regarding Donald Trump’s daily demonstration of unfitness for office, a few Republicans are finally eyeing the lifeboats on the evidently sinking vessel helmed by the president. It’s not much of a revolt, but given the total lack of scrutiny displayed by his party since 2016, the few words […]
Rural residents deserve a better approach to broadband infrastructure
Autumn is a college student whose family lives in a rural area in Northwest B.C. COVID-19 means she is now taking her classes from home, using a slow, unreliable internet connection. Midway through one of her online exams, her internet died altogether. She couldn’t finish the exam and was barely given a passing grade for […]
Creating opportunity in the pandemic recovery through digital infrastructure
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about major change for a vast majority of knowledge workers. COVID has accelerated the underlying technological transformations shaping how Canadians work, and emphasized the inequalities across regions in our ability to access digital infrastructure. Increased reliance on digital connections has also increased the risk to cyber attacks. Successfully addressing this […]
