Sustainable Global Politics

A Canadian Blueprint: Making Life More Affordable, Securing Jobs, and Maximizing Our Potential Canada is facing a critical moment. As we navigate a complex economic landscape, it's clear that we need a new approach to public policy—one that focuses on immediate affordability challenges while laying a foundation for long-term prosperity. I believe the path forward lies in a strategic, three-pronged approach:  * Improving Affordability by Building a Stronger Supply Chain: The rising cost of living is a daily reality for many Canadians. To truly tackle this, we must go beyond short-term fixes. For example, instead of solely relying on imported produce that's subject to global price swings, we can incentivize local farmers with grants and tax breaks to scale up production. This not only makes groceries more affordable but also creates resilient local economies. What creative policy solutions can we champion to achieve this?  * Protecting Against Future Unemployment with Proactive ...

The Current Economic Landscape (Mid-2025): Key Challenges Based on recent economic outlooks, here are some of the major headwinds and trends we're facing:  * Persistent Inflation & Divergent Disinflation: While inflation is generally easing, it's not consistent globally. Some economies (like the US, potentially due to tariffs) might see re-acceleration, while others disinflate. This makes "one-size-fits-all" monetary policy difficult.  * Slowing Global Growth: Overall global growth is projected to slow, with major economies like the US, Canada, and China seeing significant moderation. This isn't a recession necessarily, but it's a period of more modest expansion.  * Trade Fragmentation & Geopolitical Uncertainty: Increasing trade tensions, new tariffs, and retaliatory actions are disrupting supply chains, raising costs, and dampening investment. Geopolitical instability is a top concern for businesses. * Fiscal Pressures & Debt: Governments worldwi...

World Cup Fever on Vancouver Island: How Port Alberni Could Win Big As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ draws closer, the excitement is building not only in the host cities but also in smaller communities hoping to play a part in the world's most-watched sporting event. For a place like Port Alberni, securing the role of a team base camp for a participating nation could bring a wave of benefits far beyond the football pitch, creating a lasting legacy for the entire region. A team base camp is more than just a training ground; it's a home-away-from-home for a national team during the tournament's group stage. It includes a high-quality training facility and a nearby hotel, providing players and staff with a secure and comfortable environment for preparation and recovery. Port Alberni's bid, backed by a community-wide effort, presents a unique opportunity to welcome a global team and, in doing so, reap significant rewards. Here's a look at the potential benefits for everyone,...

  Macro Economics vs. Applied Economics: The Path to Overcoming Canada’s Ongoing Economic Challenges Understanding the Difference Macroeconomics : Broad national policies, monetary and fiscal tools, inflation, and GDP growth. Applied Economics : Focused on real-world implementation—wage policies, subsidy models, cost control. How They Interact Macro trends diagnose systemic problems. Applied strategies develop bottom-up solutions. Example : Macroeconomic insight: GDP is slowing. Applied solution: Support business liquidity, reduce payroll taxes. Applying the Framework Applied Example 1 : In Alberta’s struggling rural towns, co-investment in greenhouses and aquaponics creates year-round agriculture and jobs. Applied Example 2 : In downtown Toronto, a “No Layoff Zone” grant pilot offers businesses tax credits for keeping workers during off-peak seasons. Macro Trend Alignment : These programs complement BoC efforts to control inflation without deepening recession. Applied Example 3 : ...

PART II: Case Studies – The Real Impact on Canadian Lives and Businesses 1. Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC): The Fall of a Retail Icon Once a flagship of Canadian commerce, HBC has faced repeated closures, downsizing, and a pivot toward e-commerce. Its struggles highlight: The decline of mall traffic post-COVID. Middle-class erosion and declining demand for mid-range retail goods. Difficulty competing with online giants in a climate of shrinking discretionary income. Lesson : Even legacy institutions can falter without adaptive policy and consumer strength. 2. Vancouver’s Chinatown Small Businesses Hundreds of family-owned shops in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown have shut down due to: Rising commercial rents. Falling foot traffic. Increased homelessness and economic insecurity nearby. Community-based efforts like city-funded grants and tourism campaigns have slowed the bleed—but only partially. Lesson : Revitalization requires joint federal-municipal investment, not piecemeal fixes. 3. Atla...

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Revivin g the Canadian Economy from a Downtrend Introduction: A Nation at an Economic Crossroads Canada’s economy is navigating troubled waters. From small retailers to legacy giants like Hudson’s Bay , closures are no longer isolated events—they're symptoms of a larger, systemic issue . At the root is a steep drop in purchasing power caused by inflation, stagnant wages, and high living costs. This has triggered a vicious cycle : weakened consumer spending leads to business failures, job losses, and further reductions in demand—feeding an economic spiral that's difficult to escape. Understanding the Vicious Cycle Reduced Purchasing Power ↳ Inflation + wage stagnation = limited household spending. Lower Consumer Spending ↳ Retail, services, and hospitality sectors see declining sales. Business Closures & Bankruptcies (e.g. CCAA filings) ↳ Revenues can't cover operational costs. Rising Unemployment ↳ Workers are laid off; some b...