The current debate over immigration focuses on international students and temporary workers – but who we choose to let in for the long term matters as well. Economists such as Mikal Skuterud argue that raising GDP per capita should be the priority of Canada’s immigration policy, and we should only let in highly skilled immigrants […]
Which Immigrants We Choose Matters To Young Canadians, And Seniors Too Read More »
A frequent metaphor for Canada’s role in the world is that we are a “Boy Scout” – earnest, good natured, and interested in helping others. This image is meant to drive home the fact that we are not imperialistic, militaristic, or out to bully others. Canada has usually played a supporting role to greater powers
Canada Must Become Transactional Like Trump Read More »
Nobody will argue that housing is not a necessity, particular in places like Canada with a cold and wet climate. Canada had a housing crisis in the 1940s, after a decade and a half of depression and war, and with the population of its cities surging from returning soldiers, immigration, the movement of Canadians from
Canada’s So-Called “Housing Crisis” Is Over – At Least For Now Read More »
With Donald Trump’s policy of imposing tariffs on imported cars and trucks into the US, and the fact that both Canada and Mexico were hit with 25% tariffs despite being members of USMCA/CUSMA, the Canadian auto industry (by which we mean manufacturing of vehicles, as well as parts for new vehicles) is under threat. Meanwhile,
Can The Canadian Auto Industry Be Saved? Read More »
I haven’t watched The Simpsons for a long time, but one of my favourite episodes was “Homer the Great” from the sixth season, where Homer joins an ancient secret society known as the Stonecutters. Homer ends up becoming the leader of the Stonecutters Lodge, then he alienates all the other members so much that they
Should Canada Go Rogue On Trade And Security? Read More »
A few years ago, there was a term sometimes applied to the United States: The Indispensable Nation. The problem in 2025, with Trump’s return to power, is that Canada and our other allies might have to find a way to make the US dispensable – or at least, as dispensable as we can manage. It
Canada Needs To Rethink Both NATO and NORAD Read More »
For Canadians, the years 1963 and 2025 already seem to have a lot in common. In both years, there were federal elections in April that saw the Liberals win with a new Prime Minister sworn in who represented change (though in 2025, the new PM was sworn in weeks before the election and the outgoing
The More Things Change: Walter Gordon And Opposition To Canadian Economic Nationalism Read More »
For years, a number of politicians and media types have said that Canada’s traditional level of annual immigration has averaged at 1% of our total population. They argue that recent levels of immigration are not really very high, or that 1% is a reasonable policy for immigration. In the 1993 election, the Liberals, PCs, and
The Reality Of Canadian Immigration Policy Since 1900 In Just 9 Numbers Read More »
It has been an incredible reversal of fortune for each of the two major Canadian political parties since November, and also the NDP, if you believe the many polls in the last few weeks. The only thing more incredible has been the change in the US since January 6th, 2021. Donald Trump has gone from
Tweedle Dumb And Tweedle Dumber: Neither Major Federal Party Gets It Right Read More »
There are a number of times when I get suspicious about unanimity – when everyone seems to agree about something and there is no real dissent or criticism, except for voices so extreme or untrustworthy that most people automatically tune them out. Canadian defence policy seems to be one of those areas, where even the
Canadian Defence Policy: Playing The Percentages? Read More »
