Vaping comes with serious health risks, just like other tobacco products, but the Ontario government doesn't seem to care
As a clinician and researcher in the field of tobacco control, what I see happening with vaping marketing and promotion is déjà vu of the very worst kind. It’s pervasive and insidious. And in Ontario, we’re failing our youth by permitting it. Over the last 30 years, we have fought many policy battles with the…
It will make care more affordable, recognize that parents have a right to choose and be relatively cost-effective
The tug of war over child-care funding in Canada is entering a new chapter, thanks largely to Ontario’s latest provincial budget. The province announced new tax rebates for child-care costs – almost irrespective of the type of care chosen. While the policy may not be perfect, its implementation will signify an important shift in the…
Encouraging short-term stability at the expense of economic performance and fairness is folly when alternatives are available
In recent years, equalization and other regional subsidies have captured the attention of many Albertans. Much useful research has been done at the University of Calgary and by the former Wildrose Party. There has been extensive comment in Alberta’s media on Canada’s fiscal arrangements, including equalization. Issues connected with regional subsidies are important to all…
Canadian towns and cities hold valuable data yet are poorly prepared to detect and fend off attacks
Cybercriminals have caught Canadian municipalities flat-footed. Our cities must get with the times or send more taxpayer money and private data out the door. Cybercrime costs Canada $3.12 billion a year. A portion of that involves ransom payments to cybercriminals who digitally hold computers hostage. Ransomware, which involves remotely encrypting hard drives and demanding money…
Ontario's new standards have raised the hackles of activists. They should look hard at the systems they mistakenly believe are better
It's been called shocking and disgusting. The Ontario government is moving to change how many children independent child-care providers can care for. The new rules allow three children under two instead of two (not counting the provider’s own children over age four). An independent care provider can look after no more than five children at…
Sam Oosterhoff has raised his voice and become a politician who genuinely cares about Canadians and our nation
The mother of a problem child was advised by a psychiatrist, “You are far too upset and worried about your son. I suggest you take tranquilizers regularly.” On her next visit the psychiatrist asked, “Have the tranquilizers calmed you down?” “Yes” the mother answered. “And how is your son now?” he asked. “Who cares?” she…
Jason Kenney and Doug Ford don't have great approval ratings. But voters seem to favour their parties in Alberta and Ontario
An intriguing phenomenon is beginning to occur in our nation’s politics. Some Canadians seemed to be pleased with the policies of Conservative parties and are willing to vote for them – in spite of some apprehension toward certain party leaders. Here are two recent examples. A Mainstreet Research poll released on Jan. 22 revealed that…
When Ontario Premier Doug Ford slashed the size of Toronto city council, he involved the judiciary and flirted with a controversial federal law
What was Canada’s biggest political story of 2018? In my opinion, when all four levels of government were briefly involved in one small area of public policy debate. It started when Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government announced on July 27 that it would decrease the number of city council seats in Toronto from…
The smarter alternative would be to just bite the bullet and abandon the pretence of abiding by the flawed Paris agreement
The yellow vests demonstrations across the Atlantic against climate change-driven fuel taxes offer Ontario Premier Doug Ford yet another reason to congratulate himself on repealing Ontario’s carbon tax. Less reassuring, however, is the speculation that he intends to introduce a measure similar to the Australian Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). A sop to the leftists within the…
Ontario, Alberta and Quebec continued to account for the majority of energy consumed in Canada
Primary energy production in Canada increased five per cent in 2017 to 20,741 petajoules, following a 3.1 per cent increase in 2016, according to Statistics Canada. In a report released on Thursday, the federal agency said crude oil accounted for the largest proportion of primary energy production in Canada in 2017 at 46.4 per cent,…