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David Crane

David Crane is an award-winning journalist with special interests in the economics of globalization, innovation, sustainable development and social equity.

Carney better be sharp on Canada’s game-changing projects

  • Without the capacity for rigorous analysis of which projects make sense, and an ability to say 'no' to projects that cannot meet rigorous review,
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 18, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the West Block on Parliament Hill ahead of a meeting with a bipartisan delegation of United States Senators on July 21, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney better be sharp on Canada’s game-changing projects

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 18, 2025
  • Without the capacity for rigorous analysis of which projects make sense, and an ability to say 'no' to projects that cannot meet rigorous review,

Carney better be sharp on Canada’s game-changing projects

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 18, 2025
  • Without the capacity for rigorous analysis of which projects make sense, and an ability to say 'no' to projects that cannot meet rigorous review,
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the West Block on Parliament Hill ahead of a meeting with a bipartisan delegation of United States Senators on July 21, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney government has two duties to younger Canadians, and one is to offer real hope

  • First, it must closely monitor employment and housing trends for younger Canadians as it sets economic policy, and second, it must show that the
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 11, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters before the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que., on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney government has two duties to younger Canadians, and one is to offer real hope

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 11, 2025
  • First, it must closely monitor employment and housing trends for younger Canadians as it sets economic policy, and second, it must show that the

Carney government has two duties to younger Canadians, and one is to offer real hope

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 11, 2025
  • First, it must closely monitor employment and housing trends for younger Canadians as it sets economic policy, and second, it must show that the
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters before the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que., on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity, but we better not miss it this time

  • Building this capacity to implement innovation possibilities, in partnership with the private sector and our university-based research community, is the urgent pre-condition if we
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 4, 2025
Who is going to address the shortcomings in innovation policy, including access to capital, if our Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is preoccupied with saving the steel, aluminum, and auto industries, asks David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity, but we better not miss it this time

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 4, 2025
  • Building this capacity to implement innovation possibilities, in partnership with the private sector and our university-based research community, is the urgent pre-condition if we

Canada never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity, but we better not miss it this time

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 4, 2025
  • Building this capacity to implement innovation possibilities, in partnership with the private sector and our university-based research community, is the urgent pre-condition if we
Who is going to address the shortcomings in innovation policy, including access to capital, if our Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is preoccupied with saving the steel, aluminum, and auto industries, asks David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If we want a prosperous and sovereign nation, big disruptive change is needed right now

  • Building an economy for the future poses huge challenges that will require strong leadership and a focus on clearly set targets and timelines, co-operation
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 28, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters before the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que. on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters before the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que. on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured July 17, 2025, in Gatineau, Que. The credibility of the upcoming budget will be test number one for the building an economy for the future. Implementation will be test number two. Success is urgent. And some early deliverables are vital for ongoing public support. It’s all about our future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If we want a prosperous and sovereign nation, big disruptive change is needed right now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 28, 2025
  • Building an economy for the future poses huge challenges that will require strong leadership and a focus on clearly set targets and timelines, co-operation

If we want a prosperous and sovereign nation, big disruptive change is needed right now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 28, 2025
  • Building an economy for the future poses huge challenges that will require strong leadership and a focus on clearly set targets and timelines, co-operation
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters before the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que. on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured July 17, 2025, in Gatineau, Que. The credibility of the upcoming budget will be test number one for the building an economy for the future. Implementation will be test number two. Success is urgent. And some early deliverables are vital for ongoing public support. It’s all about our future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s fall budget could be the toughest one Canadians have ever faced in peacetime

  • Mark Carney will still face a domestic economy with weak growth prospects while having no choice but to act quickly to bring fiscal discipline to
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney gives opening remarks at the Prime Minister’s First Nations Summit on Bill C-5 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s fall budget could be the toughest one Canadians have ever faced in peacetime

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 21, 2025
  • Mark Carney will still face a domestic economy with weak growth prospects while having no choice but to act quickly to bring fiscal discipline to

Carney’s fall budget could be the toughest one Canadians have ever faced in peacetime

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 21, 2025
  • Mark Carney will still face a domestic economy with weak growth prospects while having no choice but to act quickly to bring fiscal discipline to
Prime Minister Mark Carney gives opening remarks at the Prime Minister’s First Nations Summit on Bill C-5 at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on July 17, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

BC Ferries story reveals Canada’s confused policy on China

  • What basic message are we sending as we condemn the purchase of Chinese-made ferries while profiting from our sale of goods and services to
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 14, 2025
In comments to the House of Commons on June 18, Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland seemed to imply that the ferries could have been purchased from a Canadian company, yet no Canadian shipyard responded when BC Ferries sought proposals last year, David Crane writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

BC Ferries story reveals Canada’s confused policy on China

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 14, 2025
  • What basic message are we sending as we condemn the purchase of Chinese-made ferries while profiting from our sale of goods and services to

BC Ferries story reveals Canada’s confused policy on China

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 14, 2025
  • What basic message are we sending as we condemn the purchase of Chinese-made ferries while profiting from our sale of goods and services to
In comments to the House of Commons on June 18, Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland seemed to imply that the ferries could have been purchased from a Canadian company, yet no Canadian shipyard responded when BC Ferries sought proposals last year, David Crane writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada can’t ignore climate change just because the U.S. is missing in action

  • At some point, the U.S. will again become a responsible stakeholder, but its failure to assume its responsibility is no excuse for Canada or
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 7, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House's Oval Office on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Canada can’t ignore climate change just because the U.S. is missing in action

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 7, 2025
  • At some point, the U.S. will again become a responsible stakeholder, but its failure to assume its responsibility is no excuse for Canada or

Canada can’t ignore climate change just because the U.S. is missing in action

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 7, 2025
  • At some point, the U.S. will again become a responsible stakeholder, but its failure to assume its responsibility is no excuse for Canada or
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House's Oval Office on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Canada’s government and banks are stuck on oil—and this is a problem

  • Economic success will only succeed if we become an innovation nation, not a petrostate. We have great talent in Canada and many ambitious entrepreneurs
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 27, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne at a press conference in the West Block on June 19, 2025. The challenge for the Carney government is to get Canada's banks and other financial institutions to think beyond pipelines to new sources of economic growth that are based on ideas, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s government and banks are stuck on oil—and this is a problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 27, 2025
  • Economic success will only succeed if we become an innovation nation, not a petrostate. We have great talent in Canada and many ambitious entrepreneurs

Canada’s government and banks are stuck on oil—and this is a problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 27, 2025
  • Economic success will only succeed if we become an innovation nation, not a petrostate. We have great talent in Canada and many ambitious entrepreneurs
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne at a press conference in the West Block on June 19, 2025. The challenge for the Carney government is to get Canada's banks and other financial institutions to think beyond pipelines to new sources of economic growth that are based on ideas, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s riding high right now, but his real tests are yet to come

  • Canadians will need clear evidence that there is a strategy to deliver real change and the political stamina to withstand a process that will
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 23, 2025
European Council President Antonio Costa, front left, Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s PM Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. PM Keir Starmer, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on June 16, 2025. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Carney’s riding high right now, but his real tests are yet to come

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 23, 2025
  • Canadians will need clear evidence that there is a strategy to deliver real change and the political stamina to withstand a process that will

Carney’s riding high right now, but his real tests are yet to come

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 23, 2025
  • Canadians will need clear evidence that there is a strategy to deliver real change and the political stamina to withstand a process that will
European Council President Antonio Costa, front left, Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s PM Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. PM Keir Starmer, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on June 16, 2025. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Achieving a pragmatic working relationship with China must be a foreign policy priority for Canada

  • There is much to gain from a stable and inclusive world that is not undone by competing muscle-flexing superpowers.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 16, 2025
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping
China's President Xi Jinping, pictured, was not invited to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta, but Canada is making it quite clear that China has an important and positive role to play if our country is going to be economically less dependent on the United States, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Achieving a pragmatic working relationship with China must be a foreign policy priority for Canada

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 16, 2025
  • There is much to gain from a stable and inclusive world that is not undone by competing muscle-flexing superpowers.

Achieving a pragmatic working relationship with China must be a foreign policy priority for Canada

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 16, 2025
  • There is much to gain from a stable and inclusive world that is not undone by competing muscle-flexing superpowers.
Xi Jinping
China's President Xi Jinping, pictured, was not invited to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta, but Canada is making it quite clear that China has an important and positive role to play if our country is going to be economically less dependent on the United States, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Carney must be rigorous and not succumb to extortion on viability of new nation-building projects

  • There is much we can do to advance nation building, but the choices must be transparent and Canadians must feel that the projects chosen
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 9, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured May 25, 2025, addressing the Liberal caucus on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney must be rigorous and not succumb to extortion on viability of new nation-building projects

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 9, 2025
  • There is much we can do to advance nation building, but the choices must be transparent and Canadians must feel that the projects chosen

Carney must be rigorous and not succumb to extortion on viability of new nation-building projects

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 9, 2025
  • There is much we can do to advance nation building, but the choices must be transparent and Canadians must feel that the projects chosen
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured May 25, 2025, addressing the Liberal caucus on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

King Charles delivered the message, now Carney’s got to deliver the goods

  • The Throne Speech was right to set out great opportunities and ambitions. But without some seriously clear-headed leadership and radical changes in public policies, it
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney
If we want to keep our country, we cannot afford yet another failure. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has to deliver a plan that will achieve success this time. Action not just words. And with much urgency, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

King Charles delivered the message, now Carney’s got to deliver the goods

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 2, 2025
  • The Throne Speech was right to set out great opportunities and ambitions. But without some seriously clear-headed leadership and radical changes in public policies, it

King Charles delivered the message, now Carney’s got to deliver the goods

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 2, 2025
  • The Throne Speech was right to set out great opportunities and ambitions. But without some seriously clear-headed leadership and radical changes in public policies, it
Prime Minister Mark Carney
If we want to keep our country, we cannot afford yet another failure. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has to deliver a plan that will achieve success this time. Action not just words. And with much urgency, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney will need to get a clear agreement on Canada’s future relationship with the U.S.

  • Despite our efforts to build a more independent economy, we are still going to need some kind of agreement with the U.S., a market
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House's Oval Office on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Carney will need to get a clear agreement on Canada’s future relationship with the U.S.

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 26, 2025
  • Despite our efforts to build a more independent economy, we are still going to need some kind of agreement with the U.S., a market

Carney will need to get a clear agreement on Canada’s future relationship with the U.S.

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 26, 2025
  • Despite our efforts to build a more independent economy, we are still going to need some kind of agreement with the U.S., a market
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House's Oval Office on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Champagne should give a state-of-the-economy update when the House gets back

  • It’s unlikely that Carney and his new cabinet will have much time for summer holidays if they are to deliver a more resilient and
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 19, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said there will be a fall economic statement, but no federal budget before the summer, which is being slammed by the opposition parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Champagne should give a state-of-the-economy update when the House gets back

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 19, 2025
  • It’s unlikely that Carney and his new cabinet will have much time for summer holidays if they are to deliver a more resilient and

Champagne should give a state-of-the-economy update when the House gets back

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 19, 2025
  • It’s unlikely that Carney and his new cabinet will have much time for summer holidays if they are to deliver a more resilient and
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said there will be a fall economic statement, but no federal budget before the summer, which is being slammed by the opposition parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney must lead efforts to transform Canada’s economy

  • While dealing with the U.S. on our future relationship is critical, the effort to create a new Canadian economy is even more important.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 12, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney said that economy would become the strongest 'in the G7.' No matter the outcome of Canada-U.S. negotiations, this new economy matters even more, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney must lead efforts to transform Canada’s economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 12, 2025
  • While dealing with the U.S. on our future relationship is critical, the effort to create a new Canadian economy is even more important.

Carney must lead efforts to transform Canada’s economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 12, 2025
  • While dealing with the U.S. on our future relationship is critical, the effort to create a new Canadian economy is even more important.
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney said that economy would become the strongest 'in the G7.' No matter the outcome of Canada-U.S. negotiations, this new economy matters even more, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Digital is the future, and Carney should name a minister for Canadian digital sovereignty

  • Canada must become a global digital superpower. This is the future and we must be part of that future.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet will face a mind-boggling agenda far beyond the typical demands facing a new government, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Digital is the future, and Carney should name a minister for Canadian digital sovereignty

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 5, 2025
  • Canada must become a global digital superpower. This is the future and we must be part of that future.

Digital is the future, and Carney should name a minister for Canadian digital sovereignty

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 5, 2025
  • Canada must become a global digital superpower. This is the future and we must be part of that future.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet will face a mind-boggling agenda far beyond the typical demands facing a new government, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Election campaign got it wrong, new government must get it right

  • Designing a far-reaching innovation/productivity strategy must be the core priority for the new government, and one that must preoccupy our newly elected prime minister
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025.
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025.
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. Canada proclaims to be a world leader in AI, but Stanford University’s AI index ranking countries on various key indicators does not rank Canada in the top 10 AI nations, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Election campaign got it wrong, new government must get it right

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
  • Designing a far-reaching innovation/productivity strategy must be the core priority for the new government, and one that must preoccupy our newly elected prime minister

Election campaign got it wrong, new government must get it right

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
  • Designing a far-reaching innovation/productivity strategy must be the core priority for the new government, and one that must preoccupy our newly elected prime minister
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025.
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. Canada proclaims to be a world leader in AI, but Stanford University’s AI index ranking countries on various key indicators does not rank Canada in the top 10 AI nations, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada has to create an alternative to foreign takeovers

  • If Canada is to succeed, we have to recognize not only that we live in a shifting geopolitical order, but also in a technological
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
This is our new world and, in it, we will face intense pressures to find out where we best fit. Can we build a Canada much less dependent on the oil and gas and auto industries? There’s a good chance we will have to, and there's no time to waste, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Canada has to create an alternative to foreign takeovers

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
  • If Canada is to succeed, we have to recognize not only that we live in a shifting geopolitical order, but also in a technological

Canada has to create an alternative to foreign takeovers

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
  • If Canada is to succeed, we have to recognize not only that we live in a shifting geopolitical order, but also in a technological
This is our new world and, in it, we will face intense pressures to find out where we best fit. Can we build a Canada much less dependent on the oil and gas and auto industries? There’s a good chance we will have to, and there's no time to waste, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Election campaign should be about creating a new economy, not extending and expanding the old one

  • So far, the politicians are letting us down. If the job of government is to represent the future to the present, they get a
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, top left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trump's trade war has forced Canada to rethink its economic position in the world, but David Crane says Canada's political leaders are missing the mark with talk of accelerating oil and gas projects and critical minerals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and Pixabay, and illustration courtesy of Joey Sabourin

Election campaign should be about creating a new economy, not extending and expanding the old one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
  • So far, the politicians are letting us down. If the job of government is to represent the future to the present, they get a

Election campaign should be about creating a new economy, not extending and expanding the old one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
  • So far, the politicians are letting us down. If the job of government is to represent the future to the present, they get a
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, top left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trump's trade war has forced Canada to rethink its economic position in the world, but David Crane says Canada's political leaders are missing the mark with talk of accelerating oil and gas projects and critical minerals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and Pixabay, and illustration courtesy of Joey Sabourin

Canada urgently needs a new growth strategy in response to Trump’s economic war

  • We need a plan—so where is it?
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Canada urgently needs a new growth strategy in response to Trump’s economic war

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
  • We need a plan—so where is it?

Canada urgently needs a new growth strategy in response to Trump’s economic war

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
  • We need a plan—so where is it?
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Canada needs more than oil and gas to keep the country afloat

  • We should pursue an increasingly ambitious and potentially much more prosperous and diversified economy. But if our priorities and capital are tied up in
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
Pro-pipeline demonstrators on the Hill on Feb. 19, 2019. Even the world’s biggest petrostate, Saudi Arabia, recognizes that it can't rely on oil and gas to keep it afloat, and is busy diversifying away from its reliance on oil. We must as well, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs more than oil and gas to keep the country afloat

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
  • We should pursue an increasingly ambitious and potentially much more prosperous and diversified economy. But if our priorities and capital are tied up in

Canada needs more than oil and gas to keep the country afloat

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
  • We should pursue an increasingly ambitious and potentially much more prosperous and diversified economy. But if our priorities and capital are tied up in
Pro-pipeline demonstrators on the Hill on Feb. 19, 2019. Even the world’s biggest petrostate, Saudi Arabia, recognizes that it can't rely on oil and gas to keep it afloat, and is busy diversifying away from its reliance on oil. We must as well, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s right to make investment top economic priority

  • Mark Carney has set the right priority: investment-led growth rather than consumption-led growth. This will mean short-term pain for long-term gain and the transition
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 24, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Feb. 25, 2025, at the Liberal leadership debate in Montreal before he was elected party leader. Many voices are urging more pipelines and new oil-and-gas projects, including from the self-seeking oil-and-gas lobby. But our future isn’t as a petrostate, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s right to make investment top economic priority

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 24, 2025
  • Mark Carney has set the right priority: investment-led growth rather than consumption-led growth. This will mean short-term pain for long-term gain and the transition

Carney’s right to make investment top economic priority

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 24, 2025
  • Mark Carney has set the right priority: investment-led growth rather than consumption-led growth. This will mean short-term pain for long-term gain and the transition
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Feb. 25, 2025, at the Liberal leadership debate in Montreal before he was elected party leader. Many voices are urging more pipelines and new oil-and-gas projects, including from the self-seeking oil-and-gas lobby. But our future isn’t as a petrostate, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who has the best economic plan to build a prosperous and sovereign Canada: Carney or Poilievre?

  • So far, neither party has presented such a plan. Yet the need is urgent. While we must retaliate in the face of U.S. tariffs and
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons, illustration courtesy of The Hill Times' Neena Singhal

Who has the best economic plan to build a prosperous and sovereign Canada: Carney or Poilievre?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
  • So far, neither party has presented such a plan. Yet the need is urgent. While we must retaliate in the face of U.S. tariffs and

Who has the best economic plan to build a prosperous and sovereign Canada: Carney or Poilievre?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
  • So far, neither party has presented such a plan. Yet the need is urgent. While we must retaliate in the face of U.S. tariffs and
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons, illustration courtesy of The Hill Times' Neena Singhal

Trump does not rule the world

  • The Trump administration cannot be allowed to get away with this thuggish behaviour that risks global depression, global peace and security and sustainability. It
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's 'MAGA aggression,' if implemented, would be even more destructive than the highly protectionist trade policies of the 1930s that played such a great role in extending and deepening the Great Depression, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump does not rule the world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
  • The Trump administration cannot be allowed to get away with this thuggish behaviour that risks global depression, global peace and security and sustainability. It

Trump does not rule the world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
  • The Trump administration cannot be allowed to get away with this thuggish behaviour that risks global depression, global peace and security and sustainability. It
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's 'MAGA aggression,' if implemented, would be even more destructive than the highly protectionist trade policies of the 1930s that played such a great role in extending and deepening the Great Depression, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump’s assault on Canada can actually make us stronger and better

  • But we will have to work at it.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
At some point there has to be an adult conversation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on the future continental relationship. But the Trump administration is still focused on coercion rather than negotiation, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Trump’s assault on Canada can actually make us stronger and better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
  • But we will have to work at it.

Trump’s assault on Canada can actually make us stronger and better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
  • But we will have to work at it.
At some point there has to be an adult conversation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on the future continental relationship. But the Trump administration is still focused on coercion rather than negotiation, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Canada should not allow itself to be intimidated by bullies in the White House

  • They will eventually fail. We must prepare for when Donald Trump and his enforcers are gone. 
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
Donald Trump's disruption to trade will have seriously damaging consequences for the U.S. and its workers. Inflation, job losses, and high interest rates could be broad consequences. His political position at home is weak. He did not win an overwhelming victory in last year's election, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Owantana

Canada should not allow itself to be intimidated by bullies in the White House

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
  • They will eventually fail. We must prepare for when Donald Trump and his enforcers are gone. 

Canada should not allow itself to be intimidated by bullies in the White House

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
  • They will eventually fail. We must prepare for when Donald Trump and his enforcers are gone. 
Donald Trump's disruption to trade will have seriously damaging consequences for the U.S. and its workers. Inflation, job losses, and high interest rates could be broad consequences. His political position at home is weak. He did not win an overwhelming victory in last year's election, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Owantana

Paradoxically, Trump has given Canada the opportunity for serious change

  • Donald Trump has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country—their patriotism—and restored pride in our accomplishments. This gives us a great opportunity now
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's insults have done us a big favour: he has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

Paradoxically, Trump has given Canada the opportunity for serious change

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
  • Donald Trump has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country—their patriotism—and restored pride in our accomplishments. This gives us a great opportunity now

Paradoxically, Trump has given Canada the opportunity for serious change

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
  • Donald Trump has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country—their patriotism—and restored pride in our accomplishments. This gives us a great opportunity now
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's insults have done us a big favour: he has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
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Conservatives should seize the policy opportunity on climate change, but will they?

  • A party committed to dismantling much of what has been put in place—rather than improving what we have—is not a party that deserves to
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 10, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is within range to become our next prime minister should Canadians decide they're done Justin Trudeau, has so far had little to say on climate change, mainly engaging in angry attacks on the Liberal government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives should seize the policy opportunity on climate change, but will they?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 10, 2023
  • A party committed to dismantling much of what has been put in place—rather than improving what we have—is not a party that deserves to

Conservatives should seize the policy opportunity on climate change, but will they?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 10, 2023
  • A party committed to dismantling much of what has been put in place—rather than improving what we have—is not a party that deserves to
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is within range to become our next prime minister should Canadians decide they're done Justin Trudeau, has so far had little to say on climate change, mainly engaging in angry attacks on the Liberal government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada should be aspiring to be more than a branch-plant economy

  • If we want a more independent Canada, we have to build the talent, own the tech, and grow firms so wealth is created here
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 3, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured June 1, 2023, speaking at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa. Can the government focus on building a Canadian-owned and headquartered corporate community that has the scale, talent, and intellectual property to make us a serious player, asks David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada should be aspiring to be more than a branch-plant economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 3, 2023
  • If we want a more independent Canada, we have to build the talent, own the tech, and grow firms so wealth is created here

Canada should be aspiring to be more than a branch-plant economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 3, 2023
  • If we want a more independent Canada, we have to build the talent, own the tech, and grow firms so wealth is created here
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured June 1, 2023, speaking at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa. Can the government focus on building a Canadian-owned and headquartered corporate community that has the scale, talent, and intellectual property to make us a serious player, asks David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Parliament matter anymore?

  • Politics is in bad shape. Without real reform, Canada will become more difficult to govern, and we'll pay the price. Is there not a
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 26, 2023
As economic commentator Martin Wolf, writes in his book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, there is an urgent need to restore a sense of citizenship: 'This is the tie that binds people together in a free and democratic society,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Parliament matter anymore?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 26, 2023
  • Politics is in bad shape. Without real reform, Canada will become more difficult to govern, and we'll pay the price. Is there not a

Does Parliament matter anymore?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 26, 2023
  • Politics is in bad shape. Without real reform, Canada will become more difficult to govern, and we'll pay the price. Is there not a
As economic commentator Martin Wolf, writes in his book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, there is an urgent need to restore a sense of citizenship: 'This is the tie that binds people together in a free and democratic society,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada better start playing the long game, now

  • We need an economic council of some of our best minds who can, with the future in mind, analyze policy issues, better frame public understanding
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 19, 2023
Even though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has committed much more public funding for business investment to generate more investment, Canada may 'still lag global peers, fall behind in global competitiveness, and experience a slow erosion of living standards,' Bennett Jones' recent economic outlook warns. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada better start playing the long game, now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 19, 2023
  • We need an economic council of some of our best minds who can, with the future in mind, analyze policy issues, better frame public understanding

Canada better start playing the long game, now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 19, 2023
  • We need an economic council of some of our best minds who can, with the future in mind, analyze policy issues, better frame public understanding
Even though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has committed much more public funding for business investment to generate more investment, Canada may 'still lag global peers, fall behind in global competitiveness, and experience a slow erosion of living standards,' Bennett Jones' recent economic outlook warns. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s not broken, but it can do much better

  • Canada needs to create an economic council that brings together our best minds in non-partisan work for a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future. Canada
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 12, 2023
Many things work well in our country, thought many setbacks and failures can also be found. It’s not that Canada is broken, but it’s that we can and must do better. The most important place to start is with our economic performance, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s not broken, but it can do much better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 12, 2023
  • Canada needs to create an economic council that brings together our best minds in non-partisan work for a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future. Canada

Canada’s not broken, but it can do much better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 12, 2023
  • Canada needs to create an economic council that brings together our best minds in non-partisan work for a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future. Canada
Many things work well in our country, thought many setbacks and failures can also be found. It’s not that Canada is broken, but it’s that we can and must do better. The most important place to start is with our economic performance, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Where is the sense of national ambition to seize and build on new opportunities today?

  • Four major Canadian-owned and headquartered corporations today all originated as Crown corporations. Our major electric power utilities are other examples of public policy pursuing major
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 5, 2023
A turbo train in original CN livery, before VIA Rail took over the passenger service, seen in Calgary in 1975. Four of our country’s major Canadian-owned and Canadian headquartered corporations today—Potash Corp., Cameco, Air Canada, and CN Rail—all originated as Crown corporations, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Where is the sense of national ambition to seize and build on new opportunities today?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 5, 2023
  • Four major Canadian-owned and headquartered corporations today all originated as Crown corporations. Our major electric power utilities are other examples of public policy pursuing major

Where is the sense of national ambition to seize and build on new opportunities today?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 5, 2023
  • Four major Canadian-owned and headquartered corporations today all originated as Crown corporations. Our major electric power utilities are other examples of public policy pursuing major
A turbo train in original CN livery, before VIA Rail took over the passenger service, seen in Calgary in 1975. Four of our country’s major Canadian-owned and Canadian headquartered corporations today—Potash Corp., Cameco, Air Canada, and CN Rail—all originated as Crown corporations, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

G7 must adjust to the reality of a multipolar world

  • If, as Canadians, we want to make a serious contribution to a better world, rather than sounding like an echo for U.S. interests, our
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 29, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The recent G7 summit was based on the false assumption that the West, led by the U.S., can set the rules for the rest of the world, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

G7 must adjust to the reality of a multipolar world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 29, 2023
  • If, as Canadians, we want to make a serious contribution to a better world, rather than sounding like an echo for U.S. interests, our

G7 must adjust to the reality of a multipolar world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 29, 2023
  • If, as Canadians, we want to make a serious contribution to a better world, rather than sounding like an echo for U.S. interests, our
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The recent G7 summit was based on the false assumption that the West, led by the U.S., can set the rules for the rest of the world, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Copyright is king in the battle for Canadian content

  • It is through their ownership of intellectual property that Canadians companies can prosper, grow, and take risks while funding new opportunities. 
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 22, 2023
Jean Yoon, left, of 'Kim's Convenience' and Kevin Hanchard of 'Orphan Black' at a Canada Media Fund event in 2017. Canadian content rules and fiscal incentives have worked, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Copyright is king in the battle for Canadian content

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 22, 2023
  • It is through their ownership of intellectual property that Canadians companies can prosper, grow, and take risks while funding new opportunities. 

Copyright is king in the battle for Canadian content

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 22, 2023
  • It is through their ownership of intellectual property that Canadians companies can prosper, grow, and take risks while funding new opportunities. 
Jean Yoon, left, of 'Kim's Convenience' and Kevin Hanchard of 'Orphan Black' at a Canada Media Fund event in 2017. Canadian content rules and fiscal incentives have worked, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We say Canada is open for business, but the reality is that our country is for sale

  • The Trudeau government is pushing for a branch-plant economy with key business decisions for our economic future made elsewhere, while the wealth generated from these
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 11, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a Hill scrum, introduced Bill C-34 which proposes to revise the Investment Canada Act. The House Industry Committee's study of the bill offers MPs the chance to propose broader changes to address Canada's economic security, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We say Canada is open for business, but the reality is that our country is for sale

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 11, 2023
  • The Trudeau government is pushing for a branch-plant economy with key business decisions for our economic future made elsewhere, while the wealth generated from these

We say Canada is open for business, but the reality is that our country is for sale

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 11, 2023
  • The Trudeau government is pushing for a branch-plant economy with key business decisions for our economic future made elsewhere, while the wealth generated from these
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a Hill scrum, introduced Bill C-34 which proposes to revise the Investment Canada Act. The House Industry Committee's study of the bill offers MPs the chance to propose broader changes to address Canada's economic security, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Investment Canada not serving the country’s best interests

  • There are two big issues here: Investment Canada's lack of transparency, and the loss of young domestic firms scooped up by foreign multinationals thanks
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 8, 2023
The committee will meet to discuss amendments to the Industry Canada Act proposed by Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne aimed primarily at curtailing China's investment in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Investment Canada not serving the country’s best interests

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 8, 2023
  • There are two big issues here: Investment Canada's lack of transparency, and the loss of young domestic firms scooped up by foreign multinationals thanks

Investment Canada not serving the country’s best interests

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 8, 2023
  • There are two big issues here: Investment Canada's lack of transparency, and the loss of young domestic firms scooped up by foreign multinationals thanks
The committee will meet to discuss amendments to the Industry Canada Act proposed by Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne aimed primarily at curtailing China's investment in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s over-dependence on foreign investment is a problem

  • Ownership does matter. If so many of our corporate head offices are in other countries, then that's where Canada’s economic future will be decided.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 1, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Hill scrum on April 25, 2023. The federal government is pursuing a role for Canada in electric vehicles, batteries and critical minerals, and is spending billions of dollars on foreign corporations in pursuit of investment. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s over-dependence on foreign investment is a problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 1, 2023
  • Ownership does matter. If so many of our corporate head offices are in other countries, then that's where Canada’s economic future will be decided.

Canada’s over-dependence on foreign investment is a problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 1, 2023
  • Ownership does matter. If so many of our corporate head offices are in other countries, then that's where Canada’s economic future will be decided.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Hill scrum on April 25, 2023. The federal government is pursuing a role for Canada in electric vehicles, batteries and critical minerals, and is spending billions of dollars on foreign corporations in pursuit of investment. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian ownership is critical if we are to prosper from minerals strategy

  • Some degree of long-term public equity may be the only answer if we want to ensure that a reasonable share of our mining sector
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2023
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson described critical minerals as presenting a 'generational opportunity for Canada.' But Canadian ownership will be necessary if we want to retain some of the profitable wealth from our own natural resources, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade.

Canadian ownership is critical if we are to prosper from minerals strategy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2023
  • Some degree of long-term public equity may be the only answer if we want to ensure that a reasonable share of our mining sector

Canadian ownership is critical if we are to prosper from minerals strategy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2023
  • Some degree of long-term public equity may be the only answer if we want to ensure that a reasonable share of our mining sector
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson described critical minerals as presenting a 'generational opportunity for Canada.' But Canadian ownership will be necessary if we want to retain some of the profitable wealth from our own natural resources, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade.

There will be huge economic consequences of a world divided into competing blocs

  • We shouldn't have to wait for another global crisis to halt this geo-economic march to folly. But that seems to be our fate in
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 13, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 24, 2023. The U.S.-led geo-economic war against China poses huge risks to the future world economy and its ability to prevent or to deal with future crises. Sadly, Canada is part of this zero-sum U.S. crusade to fragment the global system, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

There will be huge economic consequences of a world divided into competing blocs

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 13, 2023
  • We shouldn't have to wait for another global crisis to halt this geo-economic march to folly. But that seems to be our fate in

There will be huge economic consequences of a world divided into competing blocs

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 13, 2023
  • We shouldn't have to wait for another global crisis to halt this geo-economic march to folly. But that seems to be our fate in
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 24, 2023. The U.S.-led geo-economic war against China poses huge risks to the future world economy and its ability to prevent or to deal with future crises. Sadly, Canada is part of this zero-sum U.S. crusade to fragment the global system, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Budget does little to support Canada’s self-proclaimed global leadership

  • While we are a supportive player, there is scant evidence that we really are the major player we see in our self-image. What we
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 10, 2023
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, has set a diplomatic tone which seems openly hostile to a re-engagement with China and intended mainly to please the U.S., writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Budget does little to support Canada’s self-proclaimed global leadership

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 10, 2023
  • While we are a supportive player, there is scant evidence that we really are the major player we see in our self-image. What we

Budget does little to support Canada’s self-proclaimed global leadership

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 10, 2023
  • While we are a supportive player, there is scant evidence that we really are the major player we see in our self-image. What we
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, has set a diplomatic tone which seems openly hostile to a re-engagement with China and intended mainly to please the U.S., writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland promises Canada will ‘build big things here,’ but will we really?

  • Who actually will own the new, big things to be built in Canada? Whose big new ideas will be used? Who will profit from the big,
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured March 28, 2023, doing a press conference inside the budget lockup for the media. Not surprisingly, this year's federal budget fails to show how its massive new supports for corporations will improve Canada’s overall economic growth prospects, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Freeland promises Canada will ‘build big things here,’ but will we really?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2023
  • Who actually will own the new, big things to be built in Canada? Whose big new ideas will be used? Who will profit from the big,

Freeland promises Canada will ‘build big things here,’ but will we really?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2023
  • Who actually will own the new, big things to be built in Canada? Whose big new ideas will be used? Who will profit from the big,
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured March 28, 2023, doing a press conference inside the budget lockup for the media. Not surprisingly, this year's federal budget fails to show how its massive new supports for corporations will improve Canada’s overall economic growth prospects, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Humanity has reached a critical moment in history

  • The latest IPCC report warns: 'In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 27, 2023
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. Now comes a truly serious warning from the world’s top climate scientists that we are at a critical point where it may be impossible to avert catastrophic climate change, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Humanity has reached a critical moment in history

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 27, 2023
  • The latest IPCC report warns: 'In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation

Humanity has reached a critical moment in history

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 27, 2023
  • The latest IPCC report warns: 'In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. Now comes a truly serious warning from the world’s top climate scientists that we are at a critical point where it may be impossible to avert catastrophic climate change, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What the world needs now is multilateral reform

  • Chrystia Freeland should pay attention to the warnings of Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and now Australian ambassador to the United States. 'We have
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 20, 2023
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured in a Hill scrum. In her much-publicized Washington speech on Oct. 11, 2022, she endorsed the misguided and dangerous American policy that would divide the world into competing blocs—democracies versus autocracies—as the organizing system for the future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What the world needs now is multilateral reform

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 20, 2023
  • Chrystia Freeland should pay attention to the warnings of Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and now Australian ambassador to the United States. 'We have

What the world needs now is multilateral reform

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 20, 2023
  • Chrystia Freeland should pay attention to the warnings of Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and now Australian ambassador to the United States. 'We have
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured in a Hill scrum. In her much-publicized Washington speech on Oct. 11, 2022, she endorsed the misguided and dangerous American policy that would divide the world into competing blocs—democracies versus autocracies—as the organizing system for the future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada talks a big game, but its innovation sector doesn’t walk the talk

  • Federal policy, which is more transactional than strategic, is turning Canada into a branch plant economy—a derivative economy in which we help foreign corporations
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 13, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is jetting around the world, with his multi-billion-dollar subsidy cheque-book, paying multinationals to create jobs in Canada, or paying them not to leave, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada talks a big game, but its innovation sector doesn’t walk the talk

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 13, 2023
  • Federal policy, which is more transactional than strategic, is turning Canada into a branch plant economy—a derivative economy in which we help foreign corporations

Canada talks a big game, but its innovation sector doesn’t walk the talk

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 13, 2023
  • Federal policy, which is more transactional than strategic, is turning Canada into a branch plant economy—a derivative economy in which we help foreign corporations
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is jetting around the world, with his multi-billion-dollar subsidy cheque-book, paying multinationals to create jobs in Canada, or paying them not to leave, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Freeland’s next budget has to be an honest one

  • This cannot be another lost opportunity, because Canada can’t really afford that. Our future is at stake.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 6, 2023
In the 2023 federal budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland needs to deliver an honest budget, one that is up front with Canadians on the challenges we face and fully transparent on the state of the nation’s finances. An honest budget would also acknowledge that we will need to raise taxes, and soon, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Freeland’s next budget has to be an honest one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 6, 2023
  • This cannot be another lost opportunity, because Canada can’t really afford that. Our future is at stake.

Why Freeland’s next budget has to be an honest one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 6, 2023
  • This cannot be another lost opportunity, because Canada can’t really afford that. Our future is at stake.
In the 2023 federal budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland needs to deliver an honest budget, one that is up front with Canadians on the challenges we face and fully transparent on the state of the nation’s finances. An honest budget would also acknowledge that we will need to raise taxes, and soon, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada Innovation Corporation’s been a long time coming, but there’s ample room for skepticism

  • The CIC may bring some small economic improvement. But we need a much better picture of what the future needs than Ottawa is currently offering, or
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 27, 2023
Do we really know much more about what the Canada Innovation Corporation is expected to do than when it was first promised in Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2022 federal budget now that we have been presented with a 'blueprint' for the new agency? Not really. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada Innovation Corporation’s been a long time coming, but there’s ample room for skepticism

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 27, 2023
  • The CIC may bring some small economic improvement. But we need a much better picture of what the future needs than Ottawa is currently offering, or

Canada Innovation Corporation’s been a long time coming, but there’s ample room for skepticism

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 27, 2023
  • The CIC may bring some small economic improvement. But we need a much better picture of what the future needs than Ottawa is currently offering, or
Do we really know much more about what the Canada Innovation Corporation is expected to do than when it was first promised in Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2022 federal budget now that we have been presented with a 'blueprint' for the new agency? Not really. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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