Sustainable Global Politics

​Beyond the Big Cities: The Unscored Goal for BC's FIFA 2026 Legacy ​The FIFA World Cup 2026 is hailed as a financial windfall, but for British Columbia, the strategic play is currently afoot in only two cities: Vancouver and Toronto. While millions are being poured into BC Place, a glaring opportunity remains on the sidelines—a strategic fumble that could cost the province a significant return on its investment. ​The conversation has been almost exclusively about the host cities. Vancouver is committing to an estimated $532-642 million , with the federal government chipping in over $100 million . This is not a small sum, and the ROI is projected to be in the billions of dollars for the province. But for who? The answer, at this point, appears to be almost exclusively for Vancouver. ​This narrow focus overlooks the most potent tool for equitable and lasting growth: the Team Base Camp (TBC). ​A Tale of Two TBCs: Port Alberni and Langford's Unanswered Call ​While the U.S. ha...

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,...