The minimum wage increase in Canada is being outpaced by rising rental costs On Oct. 1, the minimum wage increased in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island. All other provinces except Alberta brought in increases earlier this year. That means most minimum-wage workers are doing better, right? Right? Not necessarily. Minimum-wage workers [...]
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Canada’s Income and Wealth Gap is Worse Than Ever
on October 16th, 2024
The latest data on income inequality and wealth paint a clear picture: the gap between the richest and poorest is growing New data out of Statistics Canada this month tells us what many Canadians already guessed: the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. The latest report on incomes and wealth [...]
Consumers Pay the Price when Politicians Ignore Economic Reality
on October 3rd, 2024
Election promises don’t mean much if there’s no basic grasp of economic policy behind them Elections are not the time to discuss serious issues. So said Kim Campbell, Canada’s first and so far only female prime minister. While her statement reflects the reality that modern media often simplifies political debates to short, digestible bumper sticker [...]
New School Year, Same old Story: Tuition Fees Soar Across Canada
on September 23rd, 2024
Rising tuition fees and declining public funding are placing an intolerable financial burden on students and their families It’s September and the start of a new academic year. Leaves are starting to fall – but tuition fees are not. Fees charged to students continue to increase across the country – by an average of [...]
The Canadian Dream is Fading Fast for Gen-Zers
on September 11th, 2024
Canada is failing Gen-Z: Feeling betrayed, they’re looking elsewhere for opportunity If you plan on being a winner, should you stay in Canada? This is a genuine question for all my fellow Gen-Zers. And the sad truth is we’re starting to believe the answer is no. If you want to be a winner – someone [...]
Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program Signal a Long Overdue Course Correction
on September 2nd, 2024
Trudeau tightens the TFWP in response to immigration challenges and high youth unemployment In response to growing immigration challenges and high youth unemployment rates, the Trudeau government is finally tightening its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Beginning September 26, the government will halt the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments for the Low-Wage stream of [...]
Trudeau’s Crazy Home Taxes and Deepening Debt are Hurting Everyday People
on August 29th, 2024
The Trudeau government’s disastrous policies are crushing hardworking Canadians, making it nearly impossible for us to get ahead Bad government policies force people to make tough decisions. “We decided to live in our garage.” That’s what a couple told the Canadian Taxpayers Federation during the recent Debt Clock tour in Alberta. The drywaller [...]
Can Consumer-Based Altruism Succeed at Grocery Stores?
on August 26th, 2024
Montreal’s 3 Paniers grocery store tests a new approach to pricing and social equity Experimenting with consumer-based philanthropy at the grocery store level is an idea that fascinates both economists and social entrepreneurs. The idea of relying on consumers’ generosity and altruistic nature to help those in need while keeping a grocery store afloat raises [...]
$500M Settlement in Bread Price-Fixing Scandal Outrageous
on August 10th, 2024
The $500M settlement in the bread price-fixing scandal sounds huge, right? But dig deeper, and it’s clear that it’s far from enough The bread price-fixing scandal, which has been unravelling since 2001, continues to leave a sour taste in the mouths of Canadians. Despite the recent announcement that Loblaw and George Weston Limited will settle [...]
Pleasures of Life at Your Table Brought by Annual Tasting of Wines from Italy
Savouring the season pairs well with the pleasures of life as Vancouver’s wine enthusiasts come into the holidays ahead after their cherished annual tradition: A Tasting of Wines from Italy. The 29th edition of the wine roadshow launched at Vancouver’s elegant Terminal City Club on October 28, 2024. The Italian Trade Commission hosts the Canadian [...]