Local development agencies could be better-managed: NDP has for years lobbied for an Independent Energy Commission to review gas prices
Small and medium sized enterprises are the cornerstone of the Canadian economy and the numbers are here to prove it. Small businesses employ six out of ten Canadians in the private sector and created 343,000, (or six in 10) new jobs in 2002 alone. They play a major economic role in local communities from coast […]
Chretien-Martin condominium
In his elegantly-written biography of Paul Martin, The Power Of Ambition, John Gray describes him and Jean Chretien as, “one of the most effective, if not the most effective, political combinations the country has ever seen.” [Graph Not Transcribed] That’s overdoing things a bit. But for John A. Macdonald and Georges-Etienne Cartier, there would have […]
Small businesses need big tax and regulatory reform: we need to utilize tax and regulatory reform to create a leadership role in Canada’s economy
Small and medium enterprises play an important role in the Canadian economy. They account for 50 per cent of our GDP, and provide over half of all employment. The sector has also been more resilient post-Sept. 11 than many of our corporate giants. While the titans have cut work-forces, SMEs continue to provide strong and […]
There go the TV debates
TORONTO–The worst thing that happened to nationally televised political campaign debates is that the first one actually meant something. Those of a certain age will recall the 1960 showdown between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, and the impact, in Kennedy’s favour, that it had. It wasn’t that Kennedy articulated his positions more clearly. Quite the […]
Finance Minister Manley says to look at the big picture on SMES: responding to the Economist’s story, Canada’s been ‘cool’ for some time now, says John Manley
The Hill Times Finance Minister John Manley, who recently suggested he can’t map out the next annual fiscal blueprint because he might not even hold the same position in a Paul Martin government, plans to deliver his highly-anticipated economic statement in early November before the House of Commons adjourns for what could be months. While […]
Looking for leadership in industry
The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology and the Minister of Industry have some important and interesting issues to address in the next few weeks — especially if the sitting is cut short due to the Liberal leadership conundrum. Gas prices Prices at the pump have been up and down this summer. While some […]
Improving nation’s productivity gap ‘single most important challenge for Canadian economy,’ says Industry Minister Rock
Federal Industry Minister Allan Rock says improving the nation’s productivity gap is “the single most important challenge for the Canadian economy.” “This means that to attract and retain highly-internationally mobile and productive resources such as skilled labour, capital and R&D, Canada needs to close the real income gap. To do so, Canada’s productivity needs to […]
Public servants have ‘game’: why balanced reporting rarely emerges from large, lumbering bureaucracies
If you want to understand how organizations work, turn your gaze away from the foibles and quirks (or every inspired leadership) of the persons who lead them. Of course leadership can make a huge difference. But if you want to play the odds, i.e., make better predictions over a variety of different situations over a […]
The spin doctors: “Should Liberals be worried now that the Alliance and Tory House leaders are working on a joint strategy to take on the government in Parliament?”
“Should Liberals be worried now that the Alliance and Tory House leaders are working on a joint strategy to take on the government in Parliament?” Warren Kinsella Liberal Strategist “These guys couldn’t work together on a three-house paper route. Concerned? Yeah, you bet. Paul and Sheila are up nights, now, and they’ve got the worry […]
Whistleblowing protection not in the cards: Robillard
Though union leaders are gearing up to make their final pitch before Parliament tomorrow to amend the government’s Public Service Reform Bill with better whistleblowing protection, the person they really need to influence likely won’t be swayed. In an interview last Thursday, Treasury Board President Lucienne Robillard confirmed that she is not ready to accept […]
