Monthly Archives: June 2011

Privatization Bogeyman Reappears in Manitoba Election La La Land

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Peter Holle

The basic lesson remains the following. If you want to expand a crown corporation, create more jobs and economic spin-offs, have a larger tax pie then you should privatize. Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Equalization, Manitoba | 1 Comment

Federal Court ruling shows problems inherent in First Nation custom elections

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Joseph Quesnel

In an apparent vindication of the rule of law, a Federal Court ruling has temporarily put an end to a dispute on Bearspaw First Nation, a band located in southern Alberta. The judge ordered chief and council from office pending … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal | Comments Off

Telecommuting and Broadband Access – A Great Example

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Roland Renner

Here is a great example of someone using Internet, Skype and video capability to create a business.  In this case it’s a virtual fitness studio with ballet inspired routines that people access over the Internet from their homes.  This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour, Technology | 1 Comment

Rising Inflation by Degrees

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Grade inflation follows the same principles as monetary inflation. If the supply of high grades is inordinately and unduly increased, then the value of these grades will go down. Where such honours have traditionally served as legitimate academic currency, this currency is now running the risk of being rendered meaningless. Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Labour | 13 Comments

Is There A Forest Around that Shrub?

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Les Routledge

The Winnipeg Free Press ran an article about accident statistics involving hazardous cargoes. If you look at the statistics, 99.9% of the accidents involved a cause other than an impaired driver.  Within that context, why is the story written as … Continue reading →

Posted in Unsorted | Comments Off

Build Baby Build

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Les Routledge

The federal government should take all action possible to expedite the construction of oil and gas export pipelines to Pacific coast ports. Continue reading →

Posted in Energy | Comments Off

Solar Energy – Food for Thought

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Les Routledge

The value of solar energy should reflect avoided investment costs of incremental production as well as grid benefits. Continue reading →

Posted in Energy | Comments Off

More on CRTC Vertical Integration Hearing

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Roland Renner

One press report described the hearing as being about “a slew of new rules” in the new scenario where distributors own content.   What kind of rules are we talking about? Before vertical integration, content owners wanted their content to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | 1 Comment

CRTC Hearings on Vertical Integration

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Roland Renner

Imagine a TV world where you can only get the hockey game if you subscribe to Rogers or a new comedy if you subscribe to Shaw.  This is one speculation being discussed at this last week’s CRTC’s hearing on vertical … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Comments Off

Glad I got Married

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Les Routledge

Single men suffer from a higher rate of poverty than women in Canada Continue reading →

Posted in Equalization, Poverty | 1 Comment

Free the Post

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Attempts to reconcile tensions between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post are taking place in Ottawa today. Negotiations are ongoing and a compromise seems long overdue. According to a recent Toronto Star article, back-to-work legislation is in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour | 2 Comments

Study says resource boom helping Aboriginals, but leaves unanswered questions

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Joseph Quesnel

A major study by TD Economics reveals how the resource boom is working greatly to the advantage of Aboriginal peoples. The important points being raised in the media is the explosion in Aboriginal business activity and income growth.  In particular, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal, Poverty | Comments Off