In addition to helping develop new technologies subsidies, for green energy are helping offset the fact non-renewable energy is effectively subsidized, according to an article by a Harvard political economy professor, Dani Rodrik.
Over the last three years Canada has lost 35% of its honey bee colonies. Other countries are experiencing similar problems.
The losses being experienced by honey bee farmers will not just be felt by honey producers. It's estimated that one-third of all food we eat depends on bees and other pollinators to mature.
Recently released Statistics Canada data shows that the median income for families and individuals barely changed between 2010 and 2011. The data also showed that between 2007 and 2011, the after-tax income has increased by only 1.9% ‒ or less than 0.5% a year.
A new report from the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) shows that even governments that claim to oppose industrial policies are implementing them.
In The Resurgence of Industrial Policy and What It Means for Canada the authors suggest that the success of countries that are openly pursuing industrial policies and the role industrial policies have played in the past in all developed countries mean more countries will be adopting industrial policies.
Canadian scientist and environmentalist, David Suzuki, points out that, as scientific research often produces unexpected results, it can be hard to predict what projects will end up having the greatest commercial application. He cites two examples of research that had considerable impact, but would never have received funding under new rules.
Two recent reports are warning that the over-valuation of oil, gas and coal reserves could lead to a “carbon bubble” that would have the same type of impact on the economy as the 2008 financial crisis.
Ironically, the use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for one of the people being trained to replace Canadians employed by RBC is just the tip of the iceberg.
The impending layoffs of technology workers at RBC show how easily Canadian companies can outsource jobs to other countries and how widespread it has become. It has also made it clear how, instead of discouraging companies from moving jobs out of Canada, government policies make it easier.
In a recent opinion piece, Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, suggested three measures to improve innovation in Canada. All require involvement of government or public institutions.
Federal government restrictions on Canadian government scientists speaking publicly about their work have been criticized for the impact on accountability and democratic decision making, but the restrictions also have the potential to harm Canadian research and development.
The Fraser Institute is right to praise Norway's management of it's oil revenues.
Even though Norway's petroleum fund was created 20 years after the Alberta Heritage Savings Fund, it is 41 times the size. It has $664 billion in assets and is growing rapidly. In contrast, the Alberta Heritage Savings Fund has only $16 billion.
