Chrystia Freeland

Friday June 17, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 17, 2022

Chrystia Freeland can do more to fight inflation

Canada’s annual inflation rate currently stands at 6.8 per cent — the highest since January 1991. This means the loonies in your pocket are losing nearly seven per cent of their purchasing power every 12 months.

May 10, 2022

With each passing day, it seems more like Canada has slipped out of the COVID-19 fire only to tumble into an inflationary frying pan. And with each passing day, millions of Canadians who were shepherded through the worst health crisis in a century by a responsive federal government are increasingly looking to the same government to spare them from economic disaster.

Those people received some, but only some, reassurance this is happening from federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Thursday. In a speech to Toronto’s Empire Club, the deputy prime minister revealed how the federal Liberals intend to collar, if not slay, the inflationary dragon. Considering this was Freeland’s first economic update since April’s budget and considering the costs of food, gasoline and a host of other consumer goods have only soared higher since then, her speech was both timely and necessary. But considering the almost total absence of new measures directly aimed at fighting inflation in her presentation, what Freeland said should represent her government’s starting point, not its finishing line. We’ve heard the words. We need more action.

Canada’s annual inflation rate currently stands at 6.8 per cent — the highest since January 1991. This means the loonies in your pocket are losing nearly seven per cent of their purchasing power every 12 months. It means a Canadian earning a median income of $55,700 a year potentially faces an annual inflationary loss of $3,787.60. Thankfully, for many low-income Canadians, some help is coming.

April 8, 2022

As Freeland explained, Ottawa has earmarked $8.9 billion to boost supports for people receiving Old Age Security, the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Workers Benefit as well as the Canada Housing Benefit. That money will definitely make life more affordable for many people currently struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. But it’s not indexed to match future increases in inflation. And virtually all of that money was committed in the last two federal budgets. It’s not new ammunition aimed at inflation.

On that front, Freeland offered precious little. The big guns in this fight are being fired by the Bank of Canada. The interest hikes it has introduced so far this year as well as the ones on the way will rein some of the demand driving inflation by making borrowing more expensive. It is a crude, blunt weapon. But it works, as evidenced by the recent cooling of the country’s overheated housing market. Freeland has vowed to respect the Bank of Canada’s efforts and not interfere with it with her government’s fiscal policy.

On that count, she’s correct. At its heart, inflation is a problem of too much money chasing too few goods. The Liberals can’t spend Canada out of inflation. Pumping new money into the economy, putting more money into everyone’s wallets today will drive the inflation rate higher tomorrow — to the point it is eventually uncontrollable and living standards plummet. That’s why the government is right to reject the demands of some federal Conservatives to cut the Goods and Service Tax or carbon tax.

April 1, 2022

To be fair to Freeland, inflation is for the most part a widespread, complex global problem — not one unique to Canada. For more than two years, the pandemic has repeatedly snarled supply chains and made it harder for consumers and businesses everywhere to buy what they needed. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine further exacerbated the situation by disrupting shipments of oil, natural gas and, most frighteningly of all, food. Freeland can try to shield Canada in some ways from these storms; she can’t stop them.

But rehashing old budgetary commitments or trying to take credit for previously announced plans to train more workers aren’t the specific answers we need for the inflation conundrum. The government should use its considerable leverage to clear some of those supply chain hurdles. One suggestion we haven’t heard but deserves consideration would be to reduce the interprovincial trade barriers that continue to be a drag on our economy. If successful, such an initiative could offer relief to consumers and businesses without driving up the inflation rate. In addition, the Liberals should continue to hold the line on new spending and, if it is deemed necessary, confine it to a targeted segment of the population — those most vulnerable and in greatest need. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Friday April 8, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 8, 2022

Budget doesn’t address lessons learned during the pandemic, health groups say

March 23, 2022

After a pandemic that has left Canada’s health-care system buckling under the strain of staffing shortages and surgical backlogs, Thursday’s federal budget drew criticism from health groups, while committing billions to a national dental plan.

Dental care, a pillar of the governing agreement struck between the Liberals and New Democrats two weeks ago, emerged as the centrepiece of the federal government’s health-care spending. The government committed $5.3 billion over the next five years to launch the national program.

But urgency around the plight facing health-care workers in this country was absent from the budget, experts said.

“The big miss in this budget was providing care for Canadians. Everything from health care to long-term care to home care is in crisis,” said Armine Yalnizyan, an economist and an Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers. “There’s just no reference to the people that provide the care that are burning out and dropping out.”

December 24, 2021

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) has argued that COVID-19 exacerbated long-standing issues already slamming the health-care system. According to Statistics Canada, 70 per cent of health-care workers reported their mental health worsened during the public health crisis, with about 32,000 regulated nurse positions needing to be filled.

The federal government has estimated that the pandemic delayed approximately 700,000 surgeries and other medical procedures, leading to wait-lists and backlogs for medical care.

CFNU president Linda Silas said the budget largely ignores health-care workers, something she said came as a “surprise” given assurances from Ottawa that retaining and recruiting talent is a priority.

“We’ve been having meetings with every politician of every stripe, at every level of government, and everyone understands that we’re dealing with a health human resource crisis in this country,” Silas told the Star. “Those words and actions weren’t part of budget 2022.”

December 21, 2016

The budget also doesn’t offer additional top-ups in health-care transfer payments to provinces and territories.

The document instead repeats the commitment of a one-time top-up of $2 billion to the Canada Health Transfer to clear surgical backlogs. That falls short of the $6 billion the Liberals promised in their election platform to “immediately invest” in eliminating health system wait-lists.

Premiers have repeatedly called on Ottawa to increase its share of health-care costs from 22 per cent to 35 per cent — an additional $28 billion per year — with no strings attached.

The budget primarily addresses the crisis facing health-care workers by pledging $26.2 million over four years, starting in 2023, to increase the amount of forgivable student loans by 50 per cent. That would result in up to $30,000 in loan forgiveness for nurses and up to $60,000 for doctors working in rural or remote communities.

March 31, 2021

There is also a promise to give $115 million over five years to Canada’s foreign credential recognition program to allow up to 11,000 health-care professionals trained abroad to find work here.

Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Katharine Smart said Thursday’s budget signals that Ottawa has similar priorities to the health sector, “but it’s very clear that much, much more needs to be done to actually bring about that change, and the deep investments that are going to be needed.”

The Mental Health Commission of Canada, meanwhile, had hoped to see movement on the Liberals’$4.5 billion campaign pledge to set up permanent transfer payments to the provinces and territories for mental health. (The Toronto Star) 

 

Friday March 11, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 11, 2022

Military neglect catches up with Canada

November 17, 2015

It was reassuring to hear Justin Trudeau pledge Canada’s unwavering support for its European allies this week. It would have been even better if the prime minister had a strong Canadian military to back him up. But he doesn’t and brave words won’t be enough to make 150,000 Russian soldiers retreat from Ukraine. Just when it’s needed more than at any time since the Second World War, Canada’s military muscle has gone soft because a generation of federal governments consistently went cheap on military spending. And Canadians let them do it.

Our soldiers, sailors and aircrew are without doubt well-trained and respected internationally. But they are too few in number and too poorly equipped to do the job Canada expects them to do. Despite more than a decade of trying, we have yet to replace our ancient fleet of CF-18 fighter jets, our outdated frigates or our retired naval destroyers. Our Armed Forces need 10,000 more people to reach full strength — but such growth is nowhere in sight. In fact, to meet our NATO commitments, we would have to boost our annual $24-billion military budget by about $9 billion. At this point, there is no indication the federal government is prepared to do that.

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 14, 2021

Canada threatens U.S. with tariffs, partial suspension of CUSMA over electric vehicle tax credit

November 18, 2021

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has written to top U.S. senators threatening to suspend parts of the CUSMA trade agreement and impose tariffs on American goods unless U.S. officials back away from a proposed tax credit for American-built electric vehicles.

“We are deeply concerned that certain provisions of the electric vehicle tax credits as proposed in the Build Back Better Act violate the United States’ obligations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” Freeland and International Trade Minister Mary Ng say in the letter.

“The proposal is equivalent to a 34 per cent tariff on Canadian-assembled electric vehicles,” the letter says. “The proposal is a significant threat to the Canadian automotive industry and is a de facto abrogation of the USMCA.”

November 19, 2019

The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in the United States.

Congress is proposing sizeable tax credits worth up to $12,500 US to buyers of new electric vehicles — as long as those cars are manufactured by union workers in the U.S.

Experts agree the tax measure would deal a major blow to the Canadian automotive sector, which is trying to attract new investment as the industry transitions away from internal combustion engines.

Freeland and Ng also say in the letter that they will “consider the possible suspension of USMCA concessions of importance to the U.S.” They specifically mention the possible suspension of “USMCA dairy tariff-rate quotas” and the possibility of delaying implementation of CUSMA copyright changes.

December 11, 2019

“To be clear, we do not wish to go down a path of confrontation,” the letter says. “That has not been the history of the relationship between our two countries – nor should it be the future.

“There is an opportunity to work together to resolve this issue by ensuring Canadian-assembled vehicles and batteries are eligible for the same credit as U.S.-assembled vehicles and batteries.”

Ng said the letter is Canada’s way of indicating that it’s prepared to play hardball on the trade file, although she would prefer to come to a compromise that avoids trade actions. (CBC) 

 

Tuesday October 26, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 26, 2021

Freeland positioning herself to take over as Liberal leader

August 24, 2021

A breathless account of Chrystia Freeland’s heroics in Ukraine published over the weekend must’ve put a smile on the face of our Deputy Prime Minister.

According to the American university professor who wrote the glowing article, she was so darn good at what she did that she had the grudging admiration of the KGB, that couldn’t keep up with her! The stuff of real-life Marvel heroes…

Let’s face it, Chrystia Freeland is positioning herself to take over as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and this type of publicity is tailor-made to help her achieve that ambition.

April 21, 2021

Much like Michael Ignatieff, Chrystia Freeland became almost famous south of the border with her writings and media savvy.

Unlike Ignatieff, she’s actually got some experience in government having ably run key ministries and, most admirably, outfoxed Donald Trump during the renegotiation of NAFTA.

If she succeeds, she’ll be taking over from one of the world’s major media figures, Justin Trudeau. A little bit of profile doesn’t hurt.

November 3, 2015

Trudeau’s inexplicable decision to disappear for a vacation on the very day he’d set aside to commemorate truth and reconciliation was more than just a heartless move. It was so hurtful to his brand that many are wondering if it isn’t also a sign that he’s had the biscuit.

We’ll no doubt have an avalanche of “progressive” promises as Trudeau swears in his new Cabinet and hands out mandate letters to the chosen few. It won’t really matter. Canadians have seen and heard enough.

From purchasing a pipeline, to continuing to subsidize oil and gas companies, to skipping out of town on a new national holiday, to complacency with sexual misconduct in the military, the lecturing and moralizing tone of Trudeau simply doesn’t carry much weight anymore. Key progressive issues such as climate change, reconciliation and women’s rights will need a new champion, one without the credibility issues that Trudeau now drags with him.

July 7, 2021

In fact, it’s Freeland’s presence during the worst of Trudeau, like the sacking of Jody Wilson-Raybould, that risks holding her back. She wasn’t content to just back Trudeau. When Wilson-Raybould resisted PMO interference in the prosecution of SNC Lavalin, Freeland attacked her for not being a team player

Freeland won’t get the top job without an examination of her role as Trudeau’s proxy and without a fight. There will be other contenders. (CTV)