And how broken election promises are undermining our faith in government When it comes to trust, politicians, for many of us, tend to rank quite low on the list. They often go to great lengths to understand what we, their electors, want, bombarding us with endless surveys and polls via phone and online platforms to…
Uncovering the why behind continuing your education Labour Day holds special significance for young people and even many adults, marking the transition from summer holidays to the beginning of the school year. We are often reminded that the best lives are lived with purpose, so a question arises for those entering classrooms or engaging in…
Finding affordable housing in Vancouver has become an impossible dream for many Affordable housing in Vancouver has become an oxymoron – one of those statements that is in itself a contradiction. Finding any available housing is challenging. Even if one has modest expectations, finding the quality and quantity of housing one would like in a…
Unlikely Insider documents Jack Austin’s conviction that even a single individual can bring about substantial change All Canadians are free to run for office and become part of the bodies that govern us. Most of us choose not to do so. Becoming a candidate takes time, work, organization and money. All of these, usually along…
Students who hold down summer jobs will do well in their careers No matter what scientists and meteorologists tell us, for Canadians, summer essentially starts with Canada Day and extends until Labour Day. When we were kids, this time became synonymous with school breaks. As working adults, it was synonymous with shorter vacations with the…
Positive GDP growth, expected through 2024 despite pandemic challenges, deters chances of recession The pandemic was bad enough. Already we are beginning to forget the initial disbelief followed by the frantic fear created by an incurable deadly spreading disease hanging over the heads of our loved ones and ourselves. Our minds are no longer obsessed…
StatsCan labour shortage report released May 24 compares the number of unemployed to vacant positions There are lies, damn lies and statistics. No one knows to whom this often-repeated expression should be attributed, but most realize that statistics, even accurate ones, taken at face value and without careful analysis, can lead to misguided conclusions. People…
In trials, a four-day work week did not reduce overall output What would every working person like? Maybe it is winning the lottery and retiring to a tropical island. Unfortunately, as we all know, the odds of that happening are over 100 million to one. A somewhat more probable but still pretty unlikely desire is…
A new workforce ecosystem is emerging: That of the gig economy During a strike, it is customary for workers from various sectors and industries to show solidarity with their fellow workers on the picket lines, with passing motorists often offering supportive honks. However, the recent strike by federal government workers did not receive such backing.…
The promise of modern monetary theory – endless unlimited government spending – is a fool’s game If it is too good to be true, you are probably better off not believing it. If a stranger calls you and says you have just won a fortune and all you have to do is send access to your…