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?
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Is Canada benefitting from “Trumpconomics?”
How is it that the Canadian economy continues to add jobs at a rapid clip despite all the Cassandra’s predicting imminent collapse.” Could it be that Trump has been good for Canada? Read more … [Read more...] about Is Canada benefitting from “Trumpconomics?”
An economic path forward for First Nations
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
The role of Statistics Canada in a post truth world
How often do we hear or read the phrase “Statistics Canada reported today that…”? As the publisher of official statistics for Canada, we rely on Stats Can for valid and reliable facts. Surely this national resource is one antidote for the increasing flim-flam that marks current political and social discourse. By any measure, Statistics Canada is one of the world’s premier … [Read more...] about The role of Statistics Canada in a post truth world
Implementing a basic income will be complex
The drumbeat for a basic income continues. Canada’s business sector has recently promoted the idea, and reaction to the cancellation of the Ontario Basic Income Pilot Project has been almost uniformly negative, with a few exceptions. The idea of a basic income — which guarantees a minimum income to all, regardless of employment status — has always looked good at first … [Read more...] about Implementing a basic income will be complex
Preserving the old not always sensible
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
Anti-vaxxers miscalculate risk assessment
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
Kapyong offers challenging opportunity
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
Economic lessons from the SNC-Lavalin fiasco
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
Time to eliminate tax break for charitable donations
My smartphone is finally cooling off. It all started three weeks before Black Friday, in late November. Because I make most of my charitable contributions through a website, I need to offer my email address to receive a tax receipt. This has led to a proliferation of retailers and charitable organizations alike seeing me as fair game. Read the full article … [Read more...] about Time to eliminate tax break for charitable donations
