Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Squamish Nation councillor Khelsilem hold a ceremonial paddle after a groundbreaking ceremony at the First Nation’s Sen̓áḵw housing development site in Vancouver in September 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

First Nations are using ‘creative disruption’ to foster economic growth in their communities

By starting their own entrepreneurial and developmental projects, First Nations are working toward economic prosperity for their communities and furthering reconciliation.
The time has come to accept that energy corridors and fossil fuel exports will be a declining feature of Canada’s economic future. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

The economic illusions of the Canadian election

In the aftermath of the election, what is striking about many of the policy positions of Canada’s federal parties is their timidity, especially when it comes to climate change.
A teenage boy throws rocks in the northern Ontario First Nations reserve in Attawapiskat in April 2016. Poverty has a profound impact on First Nations, and Canada needs to take bold wealth- and income-creation measures for the Indigenous. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Charting an economic path forward for First Nations

The MMIWG report didn’t address the poverty that has had such a devastating effect on First Nations. Encouraging active participation by the Indigenous in the Canadian economy is a win-win for everyone.
An aerial view of the Kapyong Barracks in an affluent area of Winnipeg, site of one of the most recent urban First Nations reserves. It will soon be transferred to seven Treaty One First Nations. (Facebook)

Urban reserves are tests of reconciliation

Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg is set to be transferred to Treaty One First Nations to become an urban reserve. A 64-hectare parcel in an affluent area, the reserve will be a test of reconciliation.
It’s time to seriously rethink giving tax breaks for charitable donations, since ultimately taxpayers foot the bill for the deductions anyway. (Shutterstock)

Donating to charities shouldn’t result in tax breaks

Several countries — namely Austria, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland — have removed tax benefits for charitable donations. Here’s why Canada should follow suit.
Canadians are up in arms about Statistics Canada’s push for their financial data. They shouldn’t be. (Shutterstock)

In defence of Statistics Canada’s request for financial data

Statistics Canada has been tone-deaf in its push for the financial data of Canadians from banks, but that data is essential to forming good public policy.

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