When responding to racism in Canada, we need to do better than saying ‘do better’
As Canadian activist and journalist Desmond Cole recently said, “If Minneapolis hadn’t burned, would we be having this conversation…?” With the death of George Floyd and the dawning of a global movement, we—as Canadians—must also look inwards at our own racial biases and discrimination. Now is the time to do more than state “we must […]
Slammed by COVID, Canada’s aviation industry looking to federal government for help
Faced with sharply declining revenues due to COVID-19, the Canadian aviation industry is taking a major hit. From airlines to airports and aerospace companies throughout the supply chain, all are facing challenges to their bottom line, and potentially their survival. Some targeted government relief has been announced for certain groups in the industry, but with […]
Oppression and privilege: two Canadian stories in the rule of law
OTTAWA—The rule of law is defined as “the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established law.” The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that the rule of law is one of the principles upon which Canada was founded. Fundamentally, it means that the law applies equally to […]
A roadmap for the government to act against gender-based violence
To its credit, the Trudeau government, 2.0 edition, has responded to the call I and other advocates have been making for a national action plan to combat gender-based violence. The Throne Speech was understandably short on details. Needless to say, the action plan should be truly comprehensive in its scope, embrace best practices, and be […]
For Canadian resource workers, a just transition is the best path forward
For a country as dependent on resource extraction as Canada, the global shift away from oil, gas, and coal toward renewable energy sources presents obvious challenges. In addition to accounting for nearly one-tenth of GDP, the fossil fuel industry employs more than 200,000 people across the country. What will become of these workers as governments […]
‘Small but mighty’: New Democrats say they’re up to the task as MPs pile on critic jobs
The NDP’s lead critics say they’re feeling good about their “small but mighty” caucus, which they say can bring change in a minority government and attention to their “critical work” by hammering home the party’s “widely popular” priorities. At the Nov. 28 critic announcement, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby South, B.C.) said he was proud […]
Parliament security labour standoff nearing end of the road
As Parliament returns, MPs new and old may notice House of Commons security officers are still donning personal baseball caps and small white patches as part of a labour dispute that’s been ongoing since 2017—but an end is soon in sight. On Oct. 23, the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB) issued […]
There are steps Canadians can take to ensure we put our best foot forward
WATERLOO—VUCA. Volatility. Uncertainty. Complexity. Ambiguity. In the aftermath of a federal election—a war of words between our political parties—this post-Cold War term is one many people in business and policy worlds are dealing with every day. There’s more at work than just the machinations of government, though, as our leaders try to navigate changes of […]
It’s a new day for Indigenous rights in Canada
OTTAWA—On Oct. 24, 2019, British Columbia tabled legislation to align provincial law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In full partnership with the B.C. First Nations Summit, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, and the B.C. Region of the Assembly of First Nations, the provincial government co-developed law to start […]
What’s your issue? Taxes, climate change, health care top leaders’ campaign pitches this election
With less than a week to go until Oct. 21, there’s been plenty of lamenting over the issues that aren’t being talked about this campaign. So, what have the leaders spent their time spotlighting? And what issues have media definitively brought to the fore? The Hill Times took a look at the issues raised by or with […]
