When politicians debate whether deficits are needed for economic stimulus, the entire discussion is pointless. It’s not the deficit that matters, it’s how it is spent. Imagine your household were a break-even operation — your income covers food, utilities, entertainment, home and transportation costs. Now you decide to go to the bank and take out a loan for additional … [Read more...] about Governments must make more prudent investments
Impartial data essential for economy, democracy
The news Wayne Smith, the chief statistician of Canada, has resigned should worry us. He is the second chief statistician to resign in six years. After serving just two years, Munir Sheikh resigned in 2010, in objection to replacement of the long-form census with a voluntary survey. Prior to that, Ivan Fellegi had served in that position for 23 years. Why should you and I … [Read more...] about Impartial data essential for economy, democracy
Playing nice won’t work in negotiating trade deals
What do canola and students have in common? If you had answered "China," go to the head of the class. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has returned from his latest charm offensive with the hope that Canada has worked out a firm deal on canola exports to China. Farmers can breathe a sigh of relief… or can they? Read Full Article … [Read more...] about Playing nice won’t work in negotiating trade deals
It’s time to implement a national gas tax
According to opinion polls, Canadians are accepting the idea that humans are changing the climate. While our readiness to undertake major lifestyle changes remains uncertain, the political rhetoric is also warming. The provincial premiers and the prime minister tout their favourite magic-bullet remedies for climate change. Read Full Article … [Read more...] about It’s time to implement a national gas tax
Social licence for mega-projects must include all stakeholders
The extended controversy over the proposed Energy East pipeline reveals fatal flaws in how we collectively decide on the benefits and costs of resource mega-projects. With the collapse of oil prices, Canadians can see how natural resources support our standard of living. Recent estimates from Statistics Canada suggest this sector underpins 20 per cent of the country’s GDP … [Read more...] about Social licence for mega-projects must include all stakeholders
Press pause on rapid transit plan
The current imbroglio between the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro is creating, in the minds of some, a reason for halting the development of the next phase of Winnipeg’s rapid transit plan. However, this is a minor cost — a drop in the bucket of the projected $500-million-plus expenditure for the extension. Still, there are two fundamental reasons for pausing our transit … [Read more...] about Press pause on rapid transit plan
Social licence and the nation’s wealth
The controversy over the Energy East pipeline reveals fatal flaws in how we collectively decide on the benefits and costs mega resource projects. The collapse of oil prices Canadians understand that how natural resources support our standard of living. The stakes are too high for decisions on mega projects such as Energy East to be politicized. We need an independent process to … [Read more...] about Social licence and the nation’s wealth
Census survey a quaint way to collect data
Census season is upon us. I just received my invitation in the mail to go online and complete the questionnaire. Bold letters informed me to complete the census — "it’s the law." The census remains the backbone of Canada’s official statistics. However, change is sweeping across the world of official statistics. Collecting census data will soon experience fundamental … [Read more...] about Census survey a quaint way to collect data
The Long-Form Census: Fast Forward to the Past
Statistics Canada will resume the long-form sub-census in 2016. Most welcome this reversal as a restoration of critical data for policy development and as a harbinger of a new era of evidence- based decision-making. However, change is sweeping across the world of official statistics. The census methodology of monitoring the Canadian population is set for a fundamental … [Read more...] about The Long-Form Census: Fast Forward to the Past
Canada’s Climate Change Cacophany
Politicians are wrapping themselves in green for 2016. The Paris Conference concluded with self-congratulation and widespread resolve to reverse the failures of the Kyoto and Copenhagen agreements to achieve meaningful results. Debate on climate change appears to have concluded and wide acceptance exists on the need to stabilize and then reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) the key … [Read more...] about Canada’s Climate Change Cacophany
