There is no doubt that completion of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), announced in October, is a major economic milestone for Canada. Gains of up to $12 billion a year are impressive and duty-free access for 98 per cent of Canadian goods to a market of 500 million people is a big deal.
free trade
Octobre 19, 2013
2:00AM
In the recent Speech from the Throne, the federal government announced a variety of initiatives but the one that drew much attention was its ostensible consumer-friendly tack.
On some consumer issues, the Conservative government has the right instincts, promoting competition within the cellphone sector for example, even if its approach to the upcoming wireless spectrum auction is flawed.
In other places, the Harper governments predisposition is counter-productive.
For instance, ponder the federal governments desire to micromanage how airlines double-book seats.
Août 17, 2013
2:00AM
The ongoing debate over the three Canadian telecommunications giants and the possibility of U.S-based Verizon entering the Canadian market has once again brought consumer issues to the fore.
I shall beg off addressing that particular issue it has been covered in detail by others, but the fact so many have passionate views is a reminder that consumer issues matter. This is unsurprising, given that almost everyone outside of some fellow in a remote cabin in North Korea is a consumer. Almost everyone then has an interest in such pocketbook issues.
Août 9, 2013
2:00AM
When I lived in the idyllic city of Victoria, a photocopier salesman once tried to lease me one of his machines by noting mine was made in Japan (while his was manufactured in Canada). He told me I should lease the latter and not the former to support Canadian jobs.
The salesman couldn't have known this, but I'd spent two years in the land of the rising sun, so he lost me at 'Japan.' I like it when my fellow Canadians have jobs; I also like it when my friends in Japan are employed.
Août 25, 2012
2:00AM
The one-year anniversary of Jack Laytons passing has inspired numerous memorials and tributes, making it clear the late federal NDP leader inspired affection.
But given the public fondness for Layton, its important to parse his proposed ideas, precisely because plenty of people still advocate similar policy.
However, good intentions (and Layton had that in spades) do not necessarily lead to good outcomes. They are never enough to create a country with peace, prosperity, order and good government.