Category Archives: Uncategorized

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

The Notwithstanding clause comes back to haunt us just as Pierre Trudeau warned it would. Ontario Premier Ford says he intends to use it to overcome a Superior court decision declaring his restructuring of Toronto city council in the midst of an election violates the charter of rights.

Posted on September 11, 2018 by

The increasingly clear indication from Ontario’s new right wing government is that it leans in. a very partisan disruptive direction and shows little respect for democratic rights and freedoms. It is nothing less than demagogic to argue the government is … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, civil liberties, Doug Ford and authoritarian politics, Ontario elections, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Long term consequences of a lopsided trade deal need to be carefully evaluated

Posted on August 29, 2018 by

It s now more than thirty years ago on October 4th 1987 that Canada ,under the direction of the then Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney , agreed to a free trade agreement with the United States. In doing so it … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Free trade and Canadian history, NAFTA negotiations, U.S., Uncategorized | Leave a comment