In the eyes of fans of the free market, the fact that Crown corporations are granted exclusivity over certain sectors of the economy comes across as one of the most scandalous of aberrations. For this reason, the idea that the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) should be privatized pops…
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In the short term at least, it appears that Canada Post has backpedalled on its threats to lock out workers and shut down the postal system as labour negotiations continue. This is a remarkable reversal for a corporation that, during the last round of bargaining, enjoyed a very different result…
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Postes Canada semble faire marche arrière, du moins à court terme, quant à ses menaces de mettre en lock-out ses travailleuses et travailleurs et de paralyser le service postal, puisque les négociations se poursuivent. Il s’agit d’une volte-face remarquable de la part d’une société d’État qui, lors des dernières négociations,…
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In an interview that aired on Radio-Canada, Health Minister Gaétan Barrette invoked the “failure” of the “initial concept of CLSCs” to justify significant activities and resources being transferred from local community service centres (CLSCs) to family medicine groups (FMGs). The Minister’s statement suggests that CLSCs are primarily responsible for this…
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Innovation™ has become both a rebranding exercise and an apology for a host of regressive corporate practices that look suspiciously like business as usual. But let’s be clear: there is nothing unconventional or remotely innovative about corporations that rationalize exploitation—of a workforce, of political connections, of rules that exist to…
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By 2013 the Conservative government had cut overall federal taxes and other revenues to the lowest rate seen in more than 70 years. Between 2011 and March 2015, 25,000 to 30,000 federal public sector positions were eliminated. Between 2010 and 2015, 4,766 civil service jobs were lost in the prairie…
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It’s always nice to be recognized. So it was a pleasant surprise to see both Minister Don McMorris and the Saskatchewan Party address our latest study on the government’s liquor privatization plan. Unfortunately, both the Minister and the Saskatchewan Party appear to be struggling with some of the math involved…
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One of the best parts of being a teacher is when students let you know they appreciate the work you do. It happens more than you might think. Despite the common, timeless sentiment that kids-today-ain’t-got-no-respect, students do express their appreciation in lots of ways: a thank-you in passing, a question…
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Maybe you take the quietude of the holiday season as a time to unplug and reflect. Maybe, like me, you curl up with a pile of progressive reading that you’ve been meaning to catch up on. If so, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Ontario office is at your service. Embrace your…
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“Sadly our loving dog of 14 years has died. We received many kind notes from friends and acquaintances. Our letter carrier just noticed the dog’s rope was gone and knocked on the door to offer his condolences. What’s that worth?” — Message from recently bereaved friend There are a host of reasons…
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