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David Macdonald
David Macdonald is a Senior Economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – National Office. Since 2008, he has coordinated the Alternative Federal Budget, which takes a fresh look at the federal budget from a progressive perspective. David has also written on a variety of topics, from Canada’s real estate bubble to Aboriginal income inequality, and he is a regular media commentator on national policy issues. David received his BA from the University of Windsor and his MA from the University of Guelph, both in Philosophy.
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The fall parliamentary session is going to be one to watch
When parliament comes back into session on September 15, the newly elected federal government is going to try to move swiftly to pass its legislative…
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Calculating the “rental wage” in every Canadian neighbourhood in 2024
How much do you need to earn to afford an apartment in your neighborhood?
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Making Rent: The CCPA’s rental wage update 2024
It’s almost cliche to say that the high cost of housing is at the heart of Canada’s affordability crisis. Although much media attention is placed…
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Childcare deserts in Canada: find where your community fits in 2025
Canada’s federal child care program, which began rolling out in 2021, has two main goals: lower fees to $10 per day per child, and expand…
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Cash cow: Assessing child care space creation progress
Canada’s $10-a-day child care program isn’t creating enough spaces to meet demand and isn’t doing enough to make sure that new spaces are non-profit
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Une vache grasse pour le secteur commercial : la création des nouvelles places en services de garde à l’enfance
Le programme pancanadien de services de garde à 10 $ par jour ne crée pas un nombre suffisant de places et ne s’assure pas que…
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A stiff price to pay: Predicting federal job losses due to Carney’s cuts
The newly elected federal government has promised major military spending increases and tax cuts. To pay for it, the government is seeking 15 per cent…
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Where will the federal government cut to pay for military spending and tax cuts?
Supports to First Nations, veterans, new Canadians, and international aid could be on the chopping block—just for starters
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Le prix n’est pas encore le bon : Les frais de garde n’atteignent pas l’objectif de 10 $ par jour
D’ici le début de l’année 2026, les parents canadiens sont censés pouvoir inscrire leurs jeunes enfants à des services de garde pour une moyenne de…
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The price is not right (yet): $10-a-day child care falling short of target
By early 2026 parents in Canada should be able to put their young kids in child care for an average of $10 a day. With…
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Liberals will need to rethink their promised budget cuts
The Liberal campaign platform promised big public sector “productivity” savings, but if you compare it to federal data, a concerning picture emerges. Some key highlights:
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Support for parents in a post-pandemic world: Options for enhancing federal maternity and parental leave
As young families confront a weakening economy and high cost of living Canada must improve its parental leave system
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