Publications

Reflected Sunlight Shines On IPCC Deceptions And Gross Inadequacies – August 30, 2010
Sadly, there are many factors affecting climate change that the IPCC ignore or underplay to achieve the political result that human CO2 is the sole cause. [T]hey ignore many variables and admit they know little about the ones they study. It is a total abrogation of scientific and social responsibility to let these results form the basis for draconian and destructive energy and environmental policies.

Milked By Taxis – August 30, 2010
"What is especially bizarre about the supply-management mentality is the idea that the onus always lies on the would-be new entrant to an industry to prove why he or she should be allowed in."

There Is Too Much Edu-Babble – August 27, 2010
Students, parents and teachers are being overwhelmed by “edu-babble.”

The Housing Bubble: The Economists Should Have Known – August 27, 2010
"It is truly astonishing to watch how determined the economics orthodoxy is to defend its inexcusable, economy-wrecking performance in the run up to the financial crisis. Most people who preside over disasters, say from a boating accident or the failure of a venture, spend considerable amounts of time in review of what happened and self-recrimination. Yet policy-making economists have not only seemed constitutionally unable to recognize that their programs resulted in widespread damage, but to add insult to injury, they insist that they really didn’t do anything wrong."

'Real Warriors Hold Jobs' – August 26, 2010
"Whatever we agree, or don't, about the history of Canadian aboriginals, or about their current station, and what they do or don't need, are or aren't entitled to, we can all surely concede one fact: For thousands of years, Indians in North America -- or, if you prefer, Turtle Island -- somehow managed to get by. How well? That, like everything else, is up for interpretation."

Political Reversal Down Under – August 25, 2010
As it turns out, Australians—who are, after all, much like Americans, proudly democratic, entrepreneurial and of immigrant stock—warmed to Mr. Abbott's old-school conservatism, along with his blokey, down-to-Earth persona. It's a lesson to which conservatives in America (Republican, tea party, or otherwise) should pay close attention.

Canada Trails In Legalizing Pot Debate – August 25, 2010
“Drugs, prostitution and illegal gambling are all activities that bring harm in many instances to individuals, families and communities and many feel they are immoral. But, one needs to look at the unintended consequences of prohibiting all these activities. People will always want to do these things and criminals often reap the benefits because they can provide them at exorbitant prices and people will still pay.”

Test Often, Raise Standards, Manitoba Educator Urges – August 24, 2010
"Zwaagstra believes that curriculum content isn't specific enough, academic standards in schools are not strong enough and that schools shouldn't possess a no-fail policy. He went on to say that our school system has an anti-testing bias and that there isn't a balance of standardized testing and teacher-created assessment."

Climate Change and History; Uncertain Weather, Uncertain Times – August 23, 2010
As the average location of the Arctic air front moved inexorably toward the Equator the Jet Stream meandered further north and south so temperature and precipitation fluctuated widely from year to year. It also resulted in more blocking systems so that instead of weather patterns changing on a 4 to 6 week cycle in the middle latitudes they became prolonged to 12 weeks and longer. This meant in many years it became difficult to tell summers from winters.

Vancouver: Moving to the Suburbs – August 23, 2010
"Canadians are not listening to "their betters" any more than Americans. US Census data indicates a continuing strong migration of people from the central cities and strong migration to the suburbs, despite heroic efforts on the part of the media and others to mask the reality."

Corporate Welfare Unrepaid, Bureaucrats Unrepentent – August 23, 2010
So where does this leave Canadian taxpayers? Playing angel investor to businesses that don't pay back money, while bureaucrats crow about their "success" - and the government turns a blind eye.

Australian Boomerang – August 23, 2010
Australia now faces a period of uncertainty as Ms. Gillard and Mr. Abbott scramble to assemble what in either case would be a narrow majority. This may mean a period of more cautious policy, at least in the short term, which Australians may prefer after the tumult of the last three years. The bigger picture is that, in Australia as in the U.K., voters have stopped the revival of big government dead in its tracks.

A Pass Should Be Earned – August 20, 2010
We don’t automatically promote bad drivers –so why would we promote students until they’ve mastered their grade?

Climate Changes, Grain Exports and A New World Order in Food – August 19, 2010
There is hardly a crisis in agricultural commodities but rather a continuing recalibration between supply and demand.

Environmental Lessons From The Late Stephen Schneider – August 19, 2010
"Stephen Schneider is on record that, to reduce the risk of climate change, it’s legitimate to quash one’s own doubts and offer up scary scenarios to the media. That is not exactly objective science."

Let’s Get Rational About Recycling – August 16, 2010
Advocates of greater subsidies for recycling should provide hard facts on why it is the best way to lower waste management impacts in each case.

Grades Should Reflect Achievement – August 16, 2010
In an attempt to get away from “unfair” grading, too many teachers are now forced to engage in complex calculations that are no improvement on more straightforward marking.

Look What's Coming Down The Road – August 16, 2010
Noting that traffic congestion is costing the Canadian economy billions, the report asserts that building more road capacity is not the answer, as it often promotes more traffic: "Accurate transport pricing aims to ensure that people face the true costs of their travel decisions."

As traffic congestion grows, are peak-hour fees the only answer? – August 13, 2010
Donovan's report details the Swedish experience. Stockholm first experimented with accurate transport pricing in 2006, after which it held a referendum on implementation: 53 per cent approved. Peak traffic volumes in Stockholm declined by about 25 per cent.

East Side Still The Best Bet – August 12, 2010
Rather than build costly hydro lines on the west side of Lake Winnipeg,the Manitoba government should build these lines on the east side and expand a direct all-weather-road system there at the same time.