Charles DeLand – Alberta can learn from Ontario as it looks to develop nuclear energy – Globe and Mail
Fans of Canadian nuclear energy have a lot to root for these days. Two recent Ontario announcements, one about small modular reactors and one for a new large-scale project, indicate meaningful commitment to nuclear energy to meet rising demand. Along with hydro, nuclear power emits virtually zero greenhouse-gas emissions, and is foundational to meet federal emissions targets.
Albertans have a chance to learn from Ontario’s ambition – and Premier Danielle Smith’s recent mandate letter to Brian Jean, her Energy and Minerals Minister, presents a well-timed opportunity to do even more.
Among other things, the Premier asks the minister to co-ordinate “with other provinces and the federal government to further explore…
Nitani and Nusrat – Solving Canada’s SME Financing Conundrum
To: Small business watchers From: Miwako Nitani and Aurin Shaila Nusrat Date: August 3, 2023 Re: Solving Canada’s SME Financing Conundrum Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an out-sized role in generating jobs and promoting economic prosperity. Even so, Canadian growth-oriented SMEs lag behind those of other advanced countries and face financing hurdles, in raising debt and attracting […] Benjamin Dachis – We need a minister of competition to boost Canadians’ incomes – Financial Post
The Liberal government’s 23-move cabinet shuffle last week missed out on one sensible extra move. As a major review of Canada’s competition policy continues, it’s a good time to highlight competition’s crucial importance in the economy by giving it its very own minister. An effective and dedicated competition minister might actually raise Canadians’ incomes by thousands of dollars a year.
At the moment, competition policy is the responsibility of the minister of innovation, science and industry, who is currently François-Philippe Champagne, one of only seven ministers left unshuffled last week. Many observers think Champagne has been effective in executing the government’s priorities. But his portfolio is vast and he is…
Canada Lags US in Angel Investing
According to the National Angel Capital Network (NACO 2022), angels affiliated with regional angel networks collectively invested $262.1 million in 635 firms in Canada in 2021 up from $102.9 million in 416 firms in 2020. These investments averaged $346,024 per company in 2021 up from $289,792 in 2020. In the US, using data from Angel […] Yes, more natural gas is good: The case for upping Canadian exports – Globe and Mail
In the drive to reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions, provide affordable energy, enhance energy security and provide benefits to Canadians, the country has an opportunity to play a vital role: exporting liquid natural gas.
According to the International Energy Agency, coal, oil and natural gas make up nearly 80 per cent of the global energy mix, and are expected to continue to comprise at least 62 per cent by 2050.
Natural gas is energy dense and emits the lowest pounds of CO2 per million British thermal units (btu) of all hydrocarbons. As such, it is an abundant low-emission substitute for coal and backstop for renewables in the evolving energy mix.
Both the United States and the European Union have displaced…
Tax reform badly needed to help fix Canada’s productivity problem – Financial Post
The decline of Canada’s labour productivity is making headlines across the country and raising concerns about the country’s economic prosperity. In real terms, per capita GDP has been stagnant since 2017. As University of Alberta economist Trevor Tombe has pointed out, Ontario’s output per capita is now on par with Alabama’s. More than ever, Canada needs tax reform to foster economic growth.
Lack of investment is not the sole explanation for our disappointing productivity performance but it is almost certainly a major contributor. The stock of business capital per worker has been on a declining trend since 2015. Canada fares very poorly compared to its neighbour: each U.S. worker, on average, benefits…
The Missing Ingredient for Growing Canadian Companies
Canadian companies should focus more on marketing and sales tactics to improve growth and productivity rates, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. Canada has proportionately fewer large firms than other countries and ranks last in producing large manufacturing…Ben Brunnen – Reforming Canada’s Fossil Fuel Subsidy Framework
From: Ben Brunnen To: The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Date: August 1, 2023 Re: Reforming Canada’s Fossil Fuel Subsidy Framework Canada has been focused on “eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” since […] The Missing Ingredient: Solving Canada’s Shortcomings in Growing Large Firms and Increasing Productivity
Solving Canada’s perennial productivity problem will partially be addressed by creating companies that scale from start-up to world-class status. Canada has been challenged at scaling companies and, in fact, has the lowest number of manufacturing companies with over 250 employees per one million in population in the 35 countries with employment data available from the […] Lawrence Herman – Private Rule-Making Elbows into Global Governance
From: Lawrence Herman To: International Standards Observers Date: July 28, 2023 Re: Private Rule-Making Elbows into Global Governance Components of the global order, standards in particular, are increasingly generated through private-sector action – outside of governments – and often referred to as “private global rulemaking.” As I outlined in an earlier Intelligence Memo, these rules and standards can achieve […] Rosalie Wyonch – Smooth Transitions: Boosting International Student Work Success
To: Labour market observers From: Rosalie Wyonch Date: July 26, 2023 Re: Smooth Transitions: Boosting International Student Work Success There are more international students in Canada than ever. Many experience challenges along the path of getting their education, applying for jobs and securing permanent residency status in Canada. Policymakers and educational institutions can take steps to improve the […] (Hardy) Valiaho, DeLand and Walton – Ontario Needs to Play Catch-up on Carbon Capture and Storage
To: Graydon Smith, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry From: Beth (Hardy) Valiaho, Charles DeLand and Mac Walton Date: July 24, 2023 Re: Ontario needs to play catch-up on carbon capture and storage Is Ontario, Canada’s manufacturing heartland, going to miss out on the opportunity to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors of its economy? To avoid doing so, it […]