The rise of angry populism has illustrated one critical truth – CEOs and other business leaders need to align their actions with the greater good
The most common criticism of capitalism is that it has no history of working for the benefit of society as a whole. You may be surprised to learn that major schools of thought believe this is a virtue, not a fault of capitalism. If you had asked the late Prof. Milton Friedman, former head of…
My good friend Chuck came by the other day and dropped a bomb. "I finally agree with you, we're screwed, and those damn economists are to blame!" "Well", I smiled, "I've been saying that for years, but a true-blue conservative like you ... what changed your mind?" "Look around man ... the economy is flat…
The author of A 21st Century Economics for the People of a Living Earth, is convinced that we’re threatened … but not doomed.
Are homo sapiens so ignorant, greedy and short-sighted that they will blindly jump into the abyss? As a former geologist, I can tell you that on present form (exponential population growth, rapid species expansion into all corners of the globe, etc.), humanity is in the footsteps of almost every other dominant-species mass extinction in Earth’s…
Blame free-market globalization, and the accompanying wage stagnation and declines in middle-class living standards
Even Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters admit that he's impulsive and about as presidential as a bull in a China shop. In normal times, Trump would never have been nominated by the Republican Party and would certainly not have been elected president of the United States. But these aren't normal times. Far from it. After…
Canadians’ savings are sheltered and foreign investors are reluctant. Laundered money fills a crucial investment gap
You could make a case that in the absence of illegal laundered money, there would be almost no risk investment capital in Canada. The problem with laundered money is huge. Recent estimates put the value of laundered money in Canada at $46.7 billion; other more realistic estimates have it in the range of $130 billion.…
The shocking rise of identity politics has shattered social unity, which seems to be unraveling like a cheap carpet. And that led to self-centred white identity
Jesus said it first but Abraham Lincoln said it best: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We live in divisive times, with multiple challenges. But the greatest threat to our civilization is not climate change (as damaging as that may be), nor is it growing inequality or reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The astonishing divide…
Canadians are concerned about jobs and the rising costs of combating climate change, not vague platitudes
“Hey buddy, your ‘sunny days’ Justin pal is looking pretty rough these days. I'm thinking we could see the Conservatives back in power come October.” My heart sank. I knew I was in for another heated dispute with my old friend Charlie, a diehard conservative if ever there was one. “First,” I replied, “Trudeau's not…
The digital economy is underpinned by a new class of non-physical assets. Why aren’t we investing in them?
Canada is in danger of becoming a tenant nation, according to a recent Public Policy Forum report written by Sean Speer and Robert Asselin. Speer and Asselin describe a post-industrial Canada falling into a modern form of dependency where, although we generate world-class innovation, we lack essential infrastructure and/or skills to commercialize it. We’re simply…
The Liberal caucus has shown again that it values blind obedience over principle and that it puts party before country
They're gone! The caucus of the Liberal Party of Canada has officially expelled Jody Wilson-Raybould, former minister of Justice and attorney general, and Jane Philpott, former president of the Treasury Board. These one-time party stars have been forced from the governing party and won’t be allowed to run as Liberals in the upcoming federal election.…
Let’s modernize our public accounts, and use our financial strength and institutions to advance the public interest and eliminate the debt
Would a cash-strapped government of Alberta sell its own bank? According to reports, Scotiabank has made an offer to purchase ATB Financial. And, given the perilous fiscal conditions in the province, it's possible the government will sell. That would be huge mistake. By doing so, any government would have to betray rural Alberta and then…