Alison’s comment on the CLC’s list of measures is a very important one, in my view. It is not only monetized forms of support that are crucial but also the maintenance and even deepening (with need) of service supports for workers, families and communities at a time of the effects of economic coercion by the US or structural dislocation as Canada responds and pivots away from US dependence — or, worse, much more aggressive coercion extending to military by the US. Canada’s social state has never been reducible to replacing or supplementing income but its strengths are the public goods dimensions — from the (admittedly full of holes) health system to children’s education to public childcare to shelters and housing for those fleeing harm (a long list could continue). Only with robust public goods is a social democracy truly bound together in a solidarity network - in my view anyway.
In the original post, we highlighted the Canadian Labour Congress’ overview of what is needed by way of immediate and future policy on behalf of workers, their families and their communities. We numbered the many points for ease of discussion.
We have added to the post now to draw attention to the demands of the CLC in a very recent latter sent to the new Prime Minister of what needs to happen immediately and before any election. Go to the top of the post to see a link to a summary in a news release, “Canada’s unions to Carney: Protect workers from job losses and uncertainty,” (March 11) and a link to the whole letter here.
The CLC letter does not address the specific question of whether new legislation is needed or, as the former PM Trudeau seems to have claimed, that such a massive range of changes could be done purely by executive regulatory action. However, if PM Carney’s reported plans (to call an election to start as early as the end of this week) are true, then the issue of legislation versus executive action during the election period would be moot because our constitutional convention of a government acting only in a “caretaker” mode during an election means that such sweeping changes during an election would be a contravention of this convention.
What is missing for me is support for the not-for-profit or social good sector. These organizations provide a wide range of services — from childcare to emergency shelters, policy research and public legal education, refugee settlement support, mental health services, etc. 2.4 million workers are employed in Canada's not-for-profit sector. Rethinking the role of the social good sector in our society and its place in our economies is an important component of this revisioning project.
we used to give unconditional grants to voluntary organizations so they could not only serve but advocate. Those grants are gone and the government buys services only and has made it hard for them to advocate, undermining their independence. We need to restore unconditional grants, to fund them as indispensable to democracy not just as extensions of government service. Service and advocacy - and independence. R
When Donald Trump first spoke of tariffs I learned from the news about inter-provincial trading, and how Canada needs to restructure and allow a better flow and better communication between businesses in different provinces. I would like federal and provincial government to make it real from their promises. My understanding is everything already exists but the legislation.
Alison’s comment on the CLC’s list of measures is a very important one, in my view. It is not only monetized forms of support that are crucial but also the maintenance and even deepening (with need) of service supports for workers, families and communities at a time of the effects of economic coercion by the US or structural dislocation as Canada responds and pivots away from US dependence — or, worse, much more aggressive coercion extending to military by the US. Canada’s social state has never been reducible to replacing or supplementing income but its strengths are the public goods dimensions — from the (admittedly full of holes) health system to children’s education to public childcare to shelters and housing for those fleeing harm (a long list could continue). Only with robust public goods is a social democracy truly bound together in a solidarity network - in my view anyway.
In the original post, we highlighted the Canadian Labour Congress’ overview of what is needed by way of immediate and future policy on behalf of workers, their families and their communities. We numbered the many points for ease of discussion.
We have added to the post now to draw attention to the demands of the CLC in a very recent latter sent to the new Prime Minister of what needs to happen immediately and before any election. Go to the top of the post to see a link to a summary in a news release, “Canada’s unions to Carney: Protect workers from job losses and uncertainty,” (March 11) and a link to the whole letter here.
The CLC letter does not address the specific question of whether new legislation is needed or, as the former PM Trudeau seems to have claimed, that such a massive range of changes could be done purely by executive regulatory action. However, if PM Carney’s reported plans (to call an election to start as early as the end of this week) are true, then the issue of legislation versus executive action during the election period would be moot because our constitutional convention of a government acting only in a “caretaker” mode during an election means that such sweeping changes during an election would be a contravention of this convention.
Putting a pin in service + advocacy + sustainability/independence for social sector organizations , to add to Alison’s point, thx, Alex.
What is missing for me is support for the not-for-profit or social good sector. These organizations provide a wide range of services — from childcare to emergency shelters, policy research and public legal education, refugee settlement support, mental health services, etc. 2.4 million workers are employed in Canada's not-for-profit sector. Rethinking the role of the social good sector in our society and its place in our economies is an important component of this revisioning project.
we used to give unconditional grants to voluntary organizations so they could not only serve but advocate. Those grants are gone and the government buys services only and has made it hard for them to advocate, undermining their independence. We need to restore unconditional grants, to fund them as indispensable to democracy not just as extensions of government service. Service and advocacy - and independence. R
When Donald Trump first spoke of tariffs I learned from the news about inter-provincial trading, and how Canada needs to restructure and allow a better flow and better communication between businesses in different provinces. I would like federal and provincial government to make it real from their promises. My understanding is everything already exists but the legislation.