‘We’re all hurting’: culture and sports groups say they need added funds, emergency support extended
Opposition MPs and arts, sports, and cultural organizations are calling for more clarity on government support, warning the economic impact of the coronavirus on the sector’s survival will require longer-term planning and aid than other industries to address. The seasonal and events-focused nature of much of their revenue puts them at particular risk, several organizations […]
On guard for thee: global citizenship and Canada-U.S. relations
To suggest the United States would station troops along the longest undefended border in the world slashed a psychological wound between Canada and the United States. COVID-19 shut the Canada-U.S. border down, but it was the speed with which leaders of historically friendly countries agreed to go their separate ways that left indelible scars. Under […]
Health agency reveals race-based data guideline as calls grow for nation-wide collection
In response to calls for better demographic data to understand health inequities and COVID-19, this week the Canadian Institute for Health Information is releasing an interim race data standard that public health agencies can use. Many advocates, though, are pushing for more than advice, saying the federal government has a leadership role to play to […]
Post-pandemic world presents real opportunity to change U.S.-Canada relationship, experts say
As the November U.S. presidential election approaches, with the prospect of a second-Trump term a real possibility, and the COVID-19 pandemic upending life on both sides of the border, some Canadian foreign policy experts say they expect the fallout from the pandemic will have a lasting effect on the bilateral relationship and the post-pandemic period […]
Unparalleled BoC bond purchasing welcomed to move country from ‘defence to offence,’ says Senator Loffreda
Given continued global financial market turmoil borne from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of Canada’s recent and unparalleled foray into bond purchasing comes as a welcome economic stimulus policy to “get confidence back into the market” and to “get the consumer working again,” according to Independent Senator Tony Loffreda. And with a new Bank […]
Canada should seize this opportunity to invest in a green recovery, says letter-writer
Canada is in the middle of a crisis as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic; continuing to subsidize oil, gas, and petrochemical production puts Canadians at risk. Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure compromises our health and accelerates climate change. Furthermore, since this crisis hit, the economics of energy have changed drastically and many of the proposed projects are […]
Responding to COVID-19 with the border we have
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven policy change as dramatically as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States did. And in both cases, the U.S.-Canada border has been a focal point. On March 18, in response to predictions of a rapid spread of this coronavirus strain, the United States and Canada jointly announced […]
Look to the new NAFTA for the roadmap to the future of the Canada-U.S. bond
Canadian leadership needs to move beyond COVID-19 border controls and turn to implementing the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement. In what is already a divisive U.S. election, we must also avoid anything that could be construed as interference. The Nov. 3 elections will decide not just the presidency, but also, crucially, one-third of the Senate plus […]
Not playing house: women’s work deserves equitable treatment in COVID recovery
OTTAWA—The die has been cast. Game on, Canada. Last week, Shopify announced that it is switching to a “digital by default” model of human resources that requires all 5,000 of its employees to work from home indefinitely. This move follows similar ones by Twitter, Square, and Facebook to move permanently to a work-from-home model, while […]
Party leaders putting party staffers in dicey position by taking wrong-smelling wage subsidy
OTTAWA—On the surface, it is symbolically stupid for Canadian political parties—including the federal Liberals, Conservatives, and New Democrats—to be claiming the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). While they are eligible to receive this support because they are classified as not-for-profit organizations and therefore able to get assistance, it just smells wrong. Why? While this likely […]
