Op Ed

The recent false alarm at the Pickering nuclear power plant highlights the mythologies and heightened perceptions of risk with nuclear power. The anti-nuke activists have created deep misunderstanding about nuclear power that undermines climate change action. A watershed moment of awareness occurred in my early university years when I learned that very few problems have a … [Read more...] about Nuclear energy must be part of the climate-crisis solution (with J. Borsa)

As an economist, I approached voting in the Canadian federal election with deep ambivalence that was shared by most everyone I know regardless of vocation or political persuasion. Most expressed resignation and stated, with a sigh, that: "X is at least better than the alternatives," or "I don’t want X to win, so am voting for Y." I too fell into that ditch of despair, but … [Read more...] about Economic illusions of the federal election

As Larry the Liquidator said in that not-so-classic film Other People’s Money: "I love money more than the things it can buy … but what I love more than money is other people’s money." With the federal election soon upon us, it’s time to issue a call for politicians to stop buying us off with our own money. Read the full article … [Read more...] about Politicians must stop trying to buy us off with our own money

Ottawa has just invested $30 million in food processing innovation as part of the $1 billion directed to five innovation clusters. Proponents of this collaboration of Prairie industry, universities, and government believe that "this super-cluster will make Canada a leading source for plant proteins and, ultimately, feed the world." Will such collaboration work, without … [Read more...] about International collaboration spurs technology and the economy

Often when some natural disaster has occurred or a public health challenge emerges, we hear leaders exercising "an abundance of caution" when adopting a conservative strategy. An example was the boil water advisory issued in Winnipeg during 2016 in in response to very low levels of E.coli in a few water samples. And is it not always better to be safe than … [Read more...] about Is it always better to be safe than sorry?

After reading the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Women and Girls, I had two reactions. First, a deep sadness at how Canada, and I mean all of us, have failed these women and their families. The layer upon layer of pain from the detailed testimony is numbing and sobering. But then I felt frustration. After three major inquiries , … [Read more...] about An economic path forward for First Nations

Once again, we see plucky "neighbourhood activists" standing up against a "multimillionaire" developer. These activists no doubt celebrate the 11th-hour decision by Winnipeg’s director of planning, property and development to issue an emergency order to nominate "the Crescentwood neighbourhood as a historical conservation district." The mansion at 514 Wellington Cres., … [Read more...] about Preserving the old not always sensible

The current outbreak of measles has startled public health practitioners, who declared measles controlled over two decades ago. We are now grappling with a low-level epidemic that may become endemic. Health professionals, armed with the science to back up vaccination, strongly disapprove of parents who do not vaccinate their children. They characterise … [Read more...] about Anti-vaxxers miscalculate risk assessment

Over the past 20 years, the courts have validated long-standing claims by First Nations that Canadian governments have systematically ignored and violated the terms of treaties negotiated between 1871 and 1921. One approach to mitigating treaty violations is the additions-to-reserve process. In short, First Nations purchase land from a private owner and apply to transfer it … [Read more...] about Kapyong offers challenging opportunity

I will leave it to those more ethically evolved and politically astute than me to comment on the hapless performance of the prime minister in managing the SNC-Lavalin fiasco. I do feel certain that Trudeau the Elder may have simply arched an eyebrow and dismissed the entire affair with the greatest of ease. Trudeau the Lesser has demonstrated that while the apple may not fall … [Read more...] about Economic lessons from the SNC-Lavalin fiasco