Category Archives: Uncategorized

No deal crash out of EU looking very likely unless article 50 is extended until summer

Posted on February 17, 2019 by

It is now two months since I last posted on Brexit and Prime Minister May‘s so far unsuccessful strategy of getting her version of a somewhat backstop amended deal past Parliament and ready for presentation to Brussels and the EU leadership. … Continue reading →

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May postpones parliamentary vote on Brexit deal. She lacks the votes to pass it.

Posted on December 11, 2018 by

At the very last moment, despite assurances to the contrary, Prime Minister May announced in Parliament that because she lacked the necessary votes she was postponing the vote on her painfully negotiated Brexit deal . She also announced she was … Continue reading →

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Britain, Europe and the future of Brexit

Posted on December 9, 2018 by

This coming week, December the eleventh to be precise the United Kingdom and the European Union cross another major watershed. Prime Minister Theresa May will face a vote in Parliament on Tuesday on her proposed and already agreed to by … Continue reading →

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Fall economic statement is prudent document but results will need to be monitored carefully. Bank of Canada might undermine growth and lower unemployment by imprudent interest rate rises.

Posted on November 22, 2018 by

Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau has tabled a very interesting progressive Fall Economic Statement that carefully but sensibly seeks to balance the need for ongoing stimulus of the  Canadian economy with prudent economic management. He is targeting a stable -but … Continue reading →

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The Federal Reserve‘s obsession with imminent inflation – for once I agree with President Trump

Posted on October 17, 2018 by

President Donald Trump has done and said many negative things in the policy realm that I strongly disagree with. But on the subject of the Fed policy of restoring higher interest rates because of the supposed threat of inflation,  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Reserve, monetary policy, natural rate of unemployment, treasury view, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

CAQ Sweeps to Victory with an unexpected decisive large majority in Quebec election

Posted on October 2, 2018 by

Once again the polls were inaccurate. The vote for the CAQ was much larger than predicted, 1.4 million votes and 37.7 % of the vote while the Liberal vote collapsed to an historic low level of just over one million … Continue reading →

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Quebec election English language debate no clear winner but debate is substantive , some sharp differences emerge.

Posted on September 18, 2018 by

The party leaders all acquitted themselves reasonably well given the challenge of debating in English the complex problems and challenges that Quebec faces.This was more difficult for Manon Massé,the representative of Quebec Solidaire and perhaps, also at times a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Montreal politics, Québec, Québec election, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment