Unions, Treasury Board in talks for public service’s return to workplace after three-month shutdown
Three months into the COVID-19 shutdown that’s seen government offices closed to all but critical workers and thousands of public servants working from home, union leaders say while there’s “no rush” to return to offices—arguing recent weeks have proven telework arrangements don’t hinder performance—they’ve been working closely with the Treasury Board to plan the re-opening […]
‘Politics as usual’: CERB bill failure suggests shifting tactics, say critics, though Canadians want co-operation amid crisis
Parliament’s first piece of stalled COVID-19-related legislation is part of the “natural evolution” in Parliament’s response to the pandemic, says a Conservative MP, while pollsters and pundits say opposition parties have to be careful in their approach, with Canadians preferring co-operation in response to the crisis. Since the pandemic shut down Parliament in mid-March, opposition […]
Inclusive and resilient global agriculture systems can address climate crisis and COVID recovery
Global hunger has been rising since 2015, and food producers are hardest hit. Erratic weather is making it harder to produce food. Gender inequality holds back women, who make up a large percentage of farmers in developing countries. And now COVID-19 is impacting producers and consumers alike. Canada has taken bold actions on the global […]
Advocating in unusual times
As government decision-makers craft policy and funding decisions at a rapid pace to keep Canadians safe and our economy healthy, government relations professionals and advocacy groups have been important voices informing, updating, and supporting Canada’s path forward during this unprecedented time. COVID-19 has left no business or individual unaffected and those in the government relations […]
Economic recovery in the time of COVID
Canada is deep in recession. Social distancing and the halt to non-essential activity were policy actions necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 but the economic implications of the shutdown are becoming evident. In March and April, Canada lost three million jobs—15.6 per cent of our workforce. The total number of hours worked, a truer […]
Epidemics and resistance: maintaining public trust in a time of unrest
WINNIPEG—Perhaps the most potent symbol yet of COVID-19’s relationship to inequality, and to resistance, is the mask worn by some of those demonstrating against racism and police violence, inscribed by hand with the words “I Can’t Breathe.” The mask alludes to the pleas of a Black man dying at the hands of state violence; and, […]
As we brace for COVID’s second wave, some simple lessons from Taiwan and South Korea
Taiwan and South Korea successfully managed the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, stemming the spread of the coronavirus and minimizing the number of deaths, all the while keeping their economies running. To date, there have been more than 11,000 confirmed COVID cases in Korea, though fewer than 300 deaths. Taiwan has recorded fewer than 500 COVID cases and just seven deaths. Neither government imposed a lockdown. […]
Where we were is no longer there
TORONTO—If things go well as we gradually reopen the economy, by the end of 2021 we should be back to where we were at the end of 2019. That’s progress of sorts. But individual Canadians will, on average, be poorer and many businesses which survived will be weaker than they were two years ago. Individuals, […]
How to restart our economy? Boost an entrepreneurial mindset
Ninety-eight per cent of Canadian businesses have fewer than 500 employees. These small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are critical to our economy. Furthermore, Canada has some of the highest rates of early-stage entrepreneurship in the OECD. With approximately 15 per cent of the Canadian working-age population having undertaken a business startup in the last three […]
Second wave of virus could cut GDP by nearly 10 per cent, experts looks to future of relief programs
A recent Léger poll suggests the public is picking up on what public health officials have been warning for months: a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is possible, even likely, if existing preventative measures aren’t kept in place. Fear of a second wave is widespread, with 76 per cent of respondents to the poll […]
