Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - research • analysis • solutions

BC's increasing living wage: 2024 Update

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:17:56 EST

An affordability crisis—particularly for housing—fuels Metro Vancouver’s increasing living wage.

Canada Disability Benefit: Getting it right out of the gate

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:26:53 EDT

Read the full report here.

The Canada Disability Benefit is a new benefit aimed at reducing poverty for Canadians with disabilities. It will take effect in 2025. Researchers at the National office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) applaud this initiative, but they are also recommending that the federal government extend the benefit to include even more Canadians living with disabilities.

The CCPA made a submission to Employment and Social Development Canada to outline how the benefit should be changed to meaningfully reach its poverty-reduction goals instead of falling short, as it will with its current limitations.

There are two key reasons for the limited impact that the benefit will have in its current form: unnecessarily restrictive eligibility criteria, and the wildly insufficient size of the benefit.

The CCPA's recommendations are to expand the pool of potential beneficiaries by expanding the eligibility requirements; to increase the benefit level until it begins to have an actual impact on poverty rates; and to redefine the Canada Disability Benefit within the tax system.

A sharp Manitoba analysis of the National Housing Strategy

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:02:55 EDT

Measuring the impact of the NHS depends on how affordability is defined—affordable for whom? Read full report here.

A Decade of Migrant Care Worker Programs: Addressing Racism and Precarity in Canada

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:57:20 EDT

This report identifies problems with Canada’s migrant care worker programs and demonstrates why permanent residency is a requisite for necessary program changes.

Building Equity: Lessons for Affordable Housing in BC

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:18:44 EDT

Scarce and expensive housing is eroding BC’s economy. This report looks to a solutions agenda.

Call for proposals: The Omatsu Files

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 09:57:04 EDT

Focused on equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism? We might publish your work!

The Monitor is a quarterly magazine focused on public policy, published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)—Canada’s leading progressive think tank. We are excited to announce the launch of The Omatsu Files and we are encouraging young researchers (under 40) to submit their article proposals.

About The Omatsu Files

The Omatsu Files is a space dedicated to the voices of young researchers from equity-deserving backgrounds who are focusing on issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

The Omatsu Files are dedicated to the memory of Rick Omatsu, who was born in 1939 in Vancouver, on the cusp of WWII. As a Japanese Canadian, in 1942 Rick was sent with his family to an internment camp in the B.C. interior as part of a sweeping program targeting all Japanese Canadians as enemies of the state. After the war, the government forced Rick’s family to leave the province. They relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, where Rick remained until his passing at age 82.

Proposal guidelines

Approved articles will be published on the CCPA’s website and some will be published in our print magazine, the Monitor.

Article length: 650-1,200 words

Article focus: Articles must focus on Canadian public policies or emerging issues that impact Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, immigrants, migrant workers, women and gender-diverse people, 2SLGTBQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and/or other marginalized groups. Articles should be written from a progressive standpoint, they must be factual and evidence-based, and they should be written for a broad audience.

Proposal outline: Proposals should be short (no longer than 300 words in length). They should state the main thesis of the article and make the case for the article’s relevance to The Omatsu Files series. Please include information about yourself, your line of study/research, and relevant experience. Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed by Monitor editors for consideration within two weeks of receipt. We encourage new writers and researchers to consider submitting a proposal—our editorial team is happy to mentor new voices on these issues. The editorial team reserves the right to decline proposals and to decline publication of accepted articles if they do not meet the editorial standards of the Monitor.

Please submit your proposal to monitor@policyalternatives.ca.

Payment: Authors whose proposals are accepted will receive $500 upon completion of the article, including the editing process.

Election 2024: Policy Solutions for a Better Saskatchewan

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:25:40 EDT

Click here to read the Saskatchewan office of the CCPA's list of policy priorities for this election.

As Saskatchewan heads into what may be the most competitive provincial election in years, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives wants to ensure that we use this opportunity to advance ideas and solutions that can make the province better.

Too often, elections focus on superficial banalities like polls, gaffes and personalities rather than real solutions to the problems we face. Let’s try and make this election about ideas. Thanks to our supporters, we have identified the issues that many believe need to be given priority in this election. To respond to these issues, we have gathered some of the best policy ideas from some of the smartest minds in the province. Please dig in and share with others. Let’s get a real debate about real solutions rolling.

Trapped in the wage gap

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 30 May 2024 09:08:29 EDT

Even with a minimum wage increase, too many BC workers are trapped with low wages, earning less than it costs to live in the province.

Read the report here: https://policyalternatives.ca/gap

Log it and burn it: wood pellets, climate and BC’s deepening forest crisis

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:51:39 EDT

BC’s forests are in crisis. The sharp increase in wood pellet exports to Japan is fueling the loss of BC primary forests. The indicators of unsustainable demand are evident, and without proper reforms, we are looking at lasting and devastating consequences for BC forests and the collapse of the ecosystems they sustain.

Read the report here: policyalternatives.ca/pellets

2024 federal budget analysis roundup

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:01:00 EDT

This page exists to bring together progressive policy organizations' responses to the 2024 federal budget. Keep an eye on this page, as it will continue to be updated in the coming days.

Commentary and analysis

Federal government goes big on housing—is it enough? by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Budget du Canada 2024: un budget plein de bonnes demi-mesures, by L’Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques

Budget 2024 pushes new climate action down the road by Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood

Organizational responses

Expanding democratic employee ownership in Canada

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:09:04 EDT

The federal government is considering ways for employees to have more ownership and control in their workplace by tabling legislation to create a new Employee Ownership Trust legal structure. And with a major wave of succession decisions imminent among retiring business owners in Canada, this is a key moment to consider employee ownership.

Read the report here: policyalternatives.ca/employee-ownership

Submission to the 2024 BC Labour Relations Code Review

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:07:36 EDT

Submission to the 2024 BC Labour Relations Code Review

Nominations for the CCPA-NS Steering Committee

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:03:34 EDT

The Nova Scotia office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) is looking to recruit committed and passionate individuals to its Steering Committee. This committee plays a key role in helping shape the CCPA-NS policy agenda, providing guidance and direction on strategic initiatives, and governing the organization.

The Steering Committee aims to positions, that represent the intersecting identities of Nova Scotians as well geographic diversity of the province. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in public policy who want to make a difference by contributing their skills and experience toward advancing progressive social change.

Qualities need for Steering Committee

Passion for Progressive Policy

CCPA-NS is seeking steering committee members who have experience and knowledge in creating progressive social change. We need to bring unique perspectives and skill sets to the table that will enable us to ensure a more fair and just Nova Scotia.

Communications

CCPA-NS is seeking steering committee members who are effective at communication and interactions between directors, management, collaborators, and partners. Steering committee members should have the ability to ask tough questions and engage in robust discussions in order to drive progress and achieve organizational goals. Additionally, discretion, diplomacy, and self-awareness are all key qualities that are crucial to navigating complex dynamics and achieving strategic outcomes.

Knowledge

CCPA-NS is seeking steering committee members with key skills and knowledge including an understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding the governance of organization. Additionally, the ability to identify and manage conflicts is crucial in leading a cohesive board that can navigate complex issues and make informed decisions.

Technical Expertise

CCPA-NS is seeking steering committee members with a broad range of technical expertise. Whether it's understanding the complexities of human resources, being well-versed in administrative and charity law, or having a deep knowledge of environmental, social, and governance issues, having a diverse set of technical skills can help our organization make informed decisions.

The deadline is May 24th, 2024. Please submit your interest to ccpans@policyalternatives.ca

What’s at stake in Canada’s trade negotiations with Ecuador?

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 09:52:49 EDT

Canada and Ecuador are currently engaged in Free Trade Agreement negotiations slated for completion by 2025, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding Canadian mining investments in Ecuador. However, crucial voices, particularly those of Ecuadorian organizations and communities affected by Canadian oil and mining endeavors, are notably absent from the discussion. The potential agreement risks exacerbating the lack of consultation around its terms, and the inclusion of an Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clause poses a significant threat as it would prioritize the interests of transnational corporations over those of communities and the environment, underscoring the delicate balance between investor protections and the rights of communities and nature.

The CCPA, Amnesty International, and MiningWatch Canada are hosting a bilingual webinar with simultaneous interpretation on April 4th, 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Register here.

For a deeper dive, read Stuart Trew's Monitor artice on this trade deal here.

Social Housing in Manitoba - we've done it before, lets do it again!

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:02:51 EST

New report by Lynne Fernandez, from the Manitoba Research Alliance and Right to Housing; Thinking Inside the Box explains how the provincial government could relearn the strategies it has successfully used, and still has at hand, to increase the supply of social housing and repair and maintain existing stock.

Leaked data reveals new threat to BC’s old growth forests

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:21:23 EST

For months, officials in the Ministry of Forests have been working on a map that radically departs from the recommendations of a panel appointed by the provincial government to advise it on how to protect British Columbia’s imperiled old growth forests.

Read the piece by CCPA–BC’s resource policy analyst Ben Parfitt here.

Read the news release here.

Connecting BC

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:30:39 EST

A 10-year vision for public transit throughout BC. Read here.

Getting to net-zero in Canada

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:17:15 EST

Despite the formidable challenges ahead, Canada’s path to net-zero is achievable with a clear, actionable plan that recognizes the scale of the undertaking and the limitations of potential solutions. This report underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy with practical, scalable solutions and a robust policy framework that will steer Canada toward a sustainable, net-zero future by 2050.

View report here: policyalternatives.ca/netZero

Webinar: Ruby River & the Movement Against ISDS Attacks on Climate Action

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:34:23 EST

Thursday, February 15

3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT

RSVP Online Here for Zoom Login Details

In 2023, the U.S. corporation Ruby River Capital launched a massive $20 billion trade challenge against Quebec’s decision to reject the company’s proposed liquified natural gas (LNG) plant and terminal near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. The case is the latest of a string of so-called “investor-state dispute settlement” or “ISDS” trade attacks against landmark environmental victories.

In this month’s Trade Justice Power Hour, join us as we explore the implications of ISDS for climate action and how you can participate in the global movement to dismantle the ISDS system once-and-for-all. Our presenters include:

Stuart Trew of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on the Ruby River case and the toxic legacy of ISDS;
Stephanie Camarillo of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch on ISDS system basics and growing progress towards eliminating ISDS in the United States and around the world; and
Hillary Haden of the Trade Justice Education Fund on how you can help amplify calls to end the ISDS threat for good.

Along with our work towards a Climate Peace Clause, efforts to dismantle ISDS is one of the most highly-requested topics of conversation for the Power Hour. Please join us by RSVPing here for the Zoom login details.

A paradox in COVID-19 pandemic recovery

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:32:10 EST

A new report on the increased precarity of women hotel workers in British Columbia. View report here.

Working for a Living Wage

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:56:10 EST

The same basket of goods in Metro Vancouver costs $4,000 more than last year the 2023 Living Wage report shows.

Here's what a social housing action plan looks like for Manitoba

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:57:54 EDT

The Manitoba government must use social housing as a tool to address the ongoing shortage of rental housing for low-income households as part of a comprehensive social housing action plan.

Staffing in Manitoba's public long-term care and home care systems is at a breaking point.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:57:20 EDT

This new report finds that the outsized burden placed on continuing care workers by the pandemic has not been lifted and, in many ways, has gotten heavier.

But is it a good job?

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:52:26 EDT

This groundbreaking report shows precarious work in BC is far more pervasive than many assume.

2023 federal budget analysis roundup

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:29:25 EDT

This page will be be your one-stop shop for progressive analysis of the 2023 federal budget. We will add more entries as they emerge, so check back for more.

Commentary and analysis

A hit-and-miss budget: Canada’s 2023 federal budget moves on climate and dental—but avoids almost everything else by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Budget du Canada 2023: des dents propres et des technologies « propres » by Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques
Budget 2023 tells corporate Canada to take the wheel on climate action by Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood

Organizational responses