We’re crazy with confinement, but does that mean we’re ready?
CHELSEA, QUE.—When it comes to when and how fast we should resume quasi-normal life as pandemic infection rates slow, the answer probably depends on how old you are, how broke you are, and where you live. Or so you would think. Yet Quebec, with more than half of the 50,000-plus cases in the country—and a […]
Unprecedented federal deficits sustainable in short term, say economists, but ‘exit ramp,’ post-pandemic planning needed now
With an anticipated federal deficit of more than $250-billion this year, the largest projected budgetary deficit on record, some economists say that emergency spending at this level may be sustainable in the short-term, but there is likely more spending to come—and that it’s still too early to judge the future state of the economy now […]
Senate oversight committees aim to start meeting this week
The two Senate committees overseeing the government’s COVID-19 response are aiming to begin meeting virtually this week, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals continue to roll out a relief effort that the parliamentary budget officer says will likely push Canada’s deficit above $250-billion this year alone. The Senate Finance Committee is planning to begin its […]
Ongoing intergovernmental cooperation ‘crucial’ to economic recovery as provinces reopen, say MPs, policy experts
As provincial economies across the country inch closer to reopening after weeks of COVID-19 restrictions, close cooperation between all three levels of government will be critical to Canada’s economic revival, according to MPs and public policy experts, with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities calling for billions of dollars of federal support for cities and communities […]
‘Silent good’: PHAC appropriate body for pandemic response, but needs reliable resources and more power, say experts
The Public Health Agency of Canada, which is currently navigating the country through the COVID-19 pandemic, is best positioned to lead the national response to pandemics, but health experts and Parliamentarians say it needs more resources and more power in order to deal more effectively with future pandemics. PHAC, created in 2004 under the auspices […]
Is this really a turning point?
LONDON, U.K.—People who look for silver linings (a.k.a. optimists) think that COVID-19 might be the inflection point where we start getting serious about our relationship with the planet. There’s no direct link between coronavirus and climate change, but if a tiny virus can bring our whole bustling civilization to a halt, then how vulnerable will […]
How COVID-19 may save us money amid higher food prices
Food costs are always on consumers’ minds. Hard to blame them as they spend close to 10 per cent of their budget on food. It is not the highest portion of their budget, but it is certainly an important one. However, given how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the global economy, we should all expect […]
Parliaments using different platforms for different business, PROC hears
MPs tasked with studying the feasibility of holding virtual proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic will have to weigh the pros and cons of using different platforms, according to international parliamentary experts. Different parliaments around the world have opted for different video-conferencing platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or a mixture of both, as per their […]
After COVID-19, Canada will need to follow the economy’s brightest stars
What a difference a few weeks makes. In early March, Canada’s tech startups were bright stars in a constellation of companies and industries that were the future of our economy. Now, they’re just another sector in danger of being sucked into the black hole of COVID-19. Like everyone, these companies are fighting to survive. But […]
Trudeau, Tam say Canadians can expect different pace for reopening economy across the country
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians can expect to see jurisdictions enact different measures for controlling the spread of COVID-19, as they grapple with setting the appropriate pace for loosening restrictions in their communities. During his daily briefing with reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) sought to assure Canadians that Ottawa and the provinces […]
