Tailings dam spills at Mount Polley and Mariana: Chronicles of disasters foretold explores the many parallels between the tailings dam spills at the Mount Polley mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Samarco mine in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Poverty Measures: Opportunity or Distraction?
Starting in 2004, almost all provinces and territories, several regions and municipalities, and the federal government have released poverty reduction strategies or discussion papers. Initially, the willingness of governments to develop plans focused on poverty reduction was met with enthusiasm from communities and advocates who had long demanded them. As time passed, it became clear that having these plans was not enough to drive the expected actions and investments.
Wealth concentration in Canada since 1999
Born to Win
There has been plenty of concern in Canada and around the world about income inequality, in particular the growing gap between the incomes of society’s highest-paid 10% or 1% and those of the bottom 90% of income earners. We spend less time thinking about inequality in relative wealth or net worth — the sum of all individual or family assets (house, car, investments, etc.) minus all debts (mortgage, student loan, etc.).
In loving memory of Kate McInturff
On July 27, 2018, CCPA Senior Researcher Kate McInturff passed away. The CCPA mourns the devastating loss of our colleague and friend. Kate will be remembered as a feminist trailblazer in public policy and gender-based research.
Our hearts go out to her family. Kate’s colleagues, collaborators, and countless organizations across Canada are stronger because of her research, advocacy, friendship and conviction.
In loving memory of Kate McInturff
On July 27, 2018, CCPA Senior Researcher Kate McInturff passed away. The CCPA mourns the devastating loss of our colleague and friend. Kate will be remembered as a feminist trailblazer in public policy and gender-based research.
Our hearts go out to her family. Kate’s colleagues, collaborators, and countless organizations across Canada are stronger because of her research, advocacy, friendship and conviction.
Canadian dynasties richer than ever as wealth gap continues to widen: study
OTTAWA—Canada’s wealthiest family dynasties are more than 4,400 times richer than the average Canadian family and much more likely to keep that money in the family than they were two decades ago, finds a new study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
Debunking myths about proportional representation
This fall, British Columbians will get to vote on whether we want a new electoral system for our province. What an incredible opportunity.
Between October 22 and November 30, BC voters will be able to vote in a mail-in referendum. The ballot will look something like this:
On the Mend
In this paper we estimate the impact of an extension of maximum EI sickness benefits beyond 15 weeks using Statistics Canada’s Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M). The model allows us to estimate how many people might use the additional benefit each year and what the net annual cost would be if the maximum sick leave were extended. The paper opens with a brief history of EI sick leave and a snapshot of annual usage patterns and costs. Results of the modelling exercise are then presented with a discussion of potential implications.