The right-wing are claiming that environmental measures to deal with the climate crisis are a major cause of inflation. But we do not face an unpalatable choice between saving the planet and lower living standards. Progressives must come up with a serious alternative.
High inflation may prove to be temporary, but unless and until it subsides, governments need to act to protect those who are struggling.
Our goal should be decent wages for all workers. The way to get there is to push for higher productivity in low-wage sectors by raising wages while maintaining full employment.
One thing is for sure, the Tax the Rich debate is here to stay and our ability to invest in our future depends on its outcome.
We can hardly tackle obscene and rising levels of economic inequality if we are not prepared to see a sustained rise in wages at the expense of the capital share of national income, and a sustained period of wages growing at least in line with growing productivity.
Analysis suggests that capital has become far too strong to sustain a robust economy and that an increase in labour bargaining power should be welcomed rather than resisted.
Canada needs to look beyond the immediate crisis to identify the key building blocks of a new economy on a sector by sector basis.
Canada’s corporate bailouts need to cut out tax dodgers and profiteers, and show long-term commitments are attached to the money.
Now that we are collectively facing a health risk that is spreading across space, we’ve been given the opportunity for empathy with many people who individually confront risks that repeat over and over again during the course of their lives.
