The Second Morneau Budget: Doubling Down on Cautious Optimism
Douglas Porter and Robert Kavcic Very few economic analysts in Canada—or elsewhere, for that matter—possess the prescience and breadth of BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter. Here at Policy Magazine, as in many domains in the capital and beyond, Budget Day isn’t Budget Day without Porter’s summary of the key deliverables. Here is Porter’s analysis […]
The case for international environmental agreements
OTTAWA—We live in a magnificent world that is endowed with an amazing array of natural and environmental amenities whose proper and wise use can provide us with sustenance, fulfillment, happiness, and immense joy. These blessings of nature include the forests, lakes, rivers, oceans, fisheries, flowers, wildlife, fresh air, and various mineral deposits. As we enjoy […]
MPs from all sides divided on idea of electronic voting in House
Introducing electronic voting to the House is one of a number of ideas for reform put forward by the Liberal government, but MPs are divided, with some in favour of it for the sake of efficiency while others prefer the tradition of standing for votes. “I really think it’s important for Members of Parliament to […]
Trudeau following Trump’s dangerous path on Syria
In his approach to the Syrian civil war, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is consistent in at least one respect. He consistently supports the dangerously inconsistent approach of Donald Trump. When Trump and his senior officials said, as they did just two weeks ago, that they had little interest in ridding Syria of dictator Bashar Assad, […]
Canada’s role in preventing species extinctions
One of the most powerful tools of nature conservation in the 21st century is our ability to put the protection of Canadian species into a global context. By documenting Canadian species that are not just rare in Canada, but rare everywhere, we can better understand the role of Canadian conservation efforts in preventing global […]
Science adviser should be placed in the PCO, not in a line department
TORONTO—Science today affects choices in almost everything government does, while Canada’s future prosperity, is tied to our ability to develop and capitalize on new scientific knowledge, which means how we support science also matters. Canada is hugely deficient both in how we bring science into government decision making and in how we invest to add […]
Realizing the benefits of a New Canada Infrastructure Bank
Last November, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced, as part of the government’s fiscal update, plans to establish the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The initiative is part of the government’s comprehensive plan to invest $185-billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years. With an initial investment of at least $35-billion in the Infrastructure Bank, the government hopes […]
Trade lobbying ramps up as uncertainty over NAFTA renegotiation looms
Three months into Donald Trump’s presidency, it’s unclear what his plans to renegotiate NAFTA will mean for Canada, but lobbyists have been talking a lot of trade with the federal government lately. Lobbyists having been meeting with government officials regularly in recent months to make their views known on a potential renegotiation of the North American […]
Pot promise put to the test
If he wants to avoid spending the 2019 campaign walking on the shards of yet another broken signature promise, Justin Trudeau has little choice but to make good on his promise to legalize marijuana in time for the next election. Of the many commitments the prime minister made on the way to his majority victory […]
Canada’s capital city should be bilingual
Canada as a country with two constitutionally entrenched official languages, a bilingual Parliament, a bilingual federal government and bilingual federal courts, should also have a bilingual capital city. Seems simple and clear enough in theory, does it not? But practice is an entirely different story altogether. This historic anomaly should have been corrected a long time ago. We have a unique—and fleeting—opportunity before […]
