Halifax, Nova Scotia – Today’s launch of the interim report of the government’s “independent” review of the province’s finances is an exercise in cynical political manipulation, says a new report issued today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Nova Scotia Office. NDP governments have a history of releasing dire financial reports immediately after their election in order to dampen the expectations of their own members, the public, social movements and trade unions, says the report’s author, Saint Mary’s University professor Larry Haiven.
Economy and economic indicators
Canada has been plunged into a worldwide recession that is harsher than any economic downturn since the Great Depression. Now, more than ever, citizens are counting on their governments for vision, compassion, and leadership.
This week’s upcoming Premiers’ talks create a vital opening to start now on an economic recovery plan that reduces poverty, prevents more Canadians from falling into poverty, and puts all of Canada’s provincial economies back on steady footing.
Who knew? It turns out the biggest threat to the Canadian economy and jobs is not collapsed global financial institutions, weak markets, lack of innovation or declining infrastructure. No - apparently the clear and present danger Canada suddenly faces is "Buy American."
OTTAWA—Prime working age men are bearing the brunt of Canada's recession, says a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
According to the report, 71% of those who have lost their jobs in the recession so far are men. Canada's unemployment gender gap is wider now than at any time since Statistics Canada began collecting monthly gender unemployment statistics in 1976.
The Conservative itch to cut government can't stay repressed for too
long, even when they are in government and in charge of a full-blown
economic crisis.
In mid-June, Finance Minister Flaherty went
off to meetings with the G8 talking up the idea that it was "time to
have a discussion on how to disengage from the fiscal stimulus." Last
week in Italy, Prime Minister Harper reluctantly agreed with other
world leaders that things were still too shaky to start cutting back on
government help.
On the surface, Enterprise Saskatchewan’s call for a 10 percent flat tax seems straightforward. Saskatchewan must engage in a “race-to-the-bottom” in order to compete with Alberta.
However, a cursory glance at other countries that have instituted their own flat tax proposals should be cause for concern.
OTTAWA—Employment Insurance benefits in Canada are well below the OECD average, says a new study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The study, by economist Lars Osberg, finds that in terms of access, benefit duration, and income replacement levels, EI in Canada falls far below most other OECD countries and below the levels of Canadian unemployment insurance in past recessions.