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Saturday, April 26, 2025

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David Crane

David Crane is an award-winning journalist with special interests in the economics of globalization, innovation, sustainable development and social equity.

Election campaign got it wrong, new government must get it right

  • Designing a far-reaching innovation/productivity strategy must be the core priority for the new government, and one that must preoccupy our newly elected prime minister
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. Canada proclaims to be a world leader in AI, but Stanford University’s AI index ranking countries on various key indicators does not rank Canada in the top 10 AI nations, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Election campaign got it wrong, new government must get it right

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
  • Designing a far-reaching innovation/productivity strategy must be the core priority for the new government, and one that must preoccupy our newly elected prime minister

Election campaign got it wrong, new government must get it right

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
  • Designing a far-reaching innovation/productivity strategy must be the core priority for the new government, and one that must preoccupy our newly elected prime minister
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. Canada proclaims to be a world leader in AI, but Stanford University’s AI index ranking countries on various key indicators does not rank Canada in the top 10 AI nations, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada has to create an alternative to foreign takeovers

  • If Canada is to succeed, we have to recognize not only that we live in a shifting geopolitical order, but also in a technological
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
This is our new world and, in it, we will face intense pressures to find out where we best fit. Can we build a Canada much less dependent on the oil and gas and auto industries? There’s a good chance we will have to, and there's no time to waste, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Canada has to create an alternative to foreign takeovers

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
  • If Canada is to succeed, we have to recognize not only that we live in a shifting geopolitical order, but also in a technological

Canada has to create an alternative to foreign takeovers

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
  • If Canada is to succeed, we have to recognize not only that we live in a shifting geopolitical order, but also in a technological
This is our new world and, in it, we will face intense pressures to find out where we best fit. Can we build a Canada much less dependent on the oil and gas and auto industries? There’s a good chance we will have to, and there's no time to waste, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Election campaign should be about creating a new economy, not extending and expanding the old one

  • So far, the politicians are letting us down. If the job of government is to represent the future to the present, they get a
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, top left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trump's trade war has forced Canada to rethink its economic position in the world, but David Crane says Canada's political leaders are missing the mark with talk of accelerating oil and gas projects and critical minerals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and Pixabay, and illustration courtesy of Joey Sabourin

Election campaign should be about creating a new economy, not extending and expanding the old one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
  • So far, the politicians are letting us down. If the job of government is to represent the future to the present, they get a

Election campaign should be about creating a new economy, not extending and expanding the old one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
  • So far, the politicians are letting us down. If the job of government is to represent the future to the present, they get a
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, top left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trump's trade war has forced Canada to rethink its economic position in the world, but David Crane says Canada's political leaders are missing the mark with talk of accelerating oil and gas projects and critical minerals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and Pixabay, and illustration courtesy of Joey Sabourin

Canada urgently needs a new growth strategy in response to Trump’s economic war

  • We need a plan—so where is it?
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Canada urgently needs a new growth strategy in response to Trump’s economic war

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
  • We need a plan—so where is it?

Canada urgently needs a new growth strategy in response to Trump’s economic war

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
  • We need a plan—so where is it?
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Canada needs more than oil and gas to keep the country afloat

  • We should pursue an increasingly ambitious and potentially much more prosperous and diversified economy. But if our priorities and capital are tied up in
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
Pro-pipeline demonstrators on the Hill on Feb. 19, 2019. Even the world’s biggest petrostate, Saudi Arabia, recognizes that it can't rely on oil and gas to keep it afloat, and is busy diversifying away from its reliance on oil. We must as well, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs more than oil and gas to keep the country afloat

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
  • We should pursue an increasingly ambitious and potentially much more prosperous and diversified economy. But if our priorities and capital are tied up in

Canada needs more than oil and gas to keep the country afloat

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
  • We should pursue an increasingly ambitious and potentially much more prosperous and diversified economy. But if our priorities and capital are tied up in
Pro-pipeline demonstrators on the Hill on Feb. 19, 2019. Even the world’s biggest petrostate, Saudi Arabia, recognizes that it can't rely on oil and gas to keep it afloat, and is busy diversifying away from its reliance on oil. We must as well, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s right to make investment top economic priority

  • Mark Carney has set the right priority: investment-led growth rather than consumption-led growth. This will mean short-term pain for long-term gain and the transition
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 24, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Feb. 25, 2025, at the Liberal leadership debate in Montreal before he was elected party leader. Many voices are urging more pipelines and new oil-and-gas projects, including from the self-seeking oil-and-gas lobby. But our future isn’t as a petrostate, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s right to make investment top economic priority

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 24, 2025
  • Mark Carney has set the right priority: investment-led growth rather than consumption-led growth. This will mean short-term pain for long-term gain and the transition

Carney’s right to make investment top economic priority

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 24, 2025
  • Mark Carney has set the right priority: investment-led growth rather than consumption-led growth. This will mean short-term pain for long-term gain and the transition
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Feb. 25, 2025, at the Liberal leadership debate in Montreal before he was elected party leader. Many voices are urging more pipelines and new oil-and-gas projects, including from the self-seeking oil-and-gas lobby. But our future isn’t as a petrostate, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who has the best economic plan to build a prosperous and sovereign Canada: Carney or Poilievre?

  • So far, neither party has presented such a plan. Yet the need is urgent. While we must retaliate in the face of U.S. tariffs and
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons, illustration courtesy of The Hill Times' Neena Singhal

Who has the best economic plan to build a prosperous and sovereign Canada: Carney or Poilievre?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
  • So far, neither party has presented such a plan. Yet the need is urgent. While we must retaliate in the face of U.S. tariffs and

Who has the best economic plan to build a prosperous and sovereign Canada: Carney or Poilievre?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
  • So far, neither party has presented such a plan. Yet the need is urgent. While we must retaliate in the face of U.S. tariffs and
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons, illustration courtesy of The Hill Times' Neena Singhal

Trump does not rule the world

  • The Trump administration cannot be allowed to get away with this thuggish behaviour that risks global depression, global peace and security and sustainability. It
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's 'MAGA aggression,' if implemented, would be even more destructive than the highly protectionist trade policies of the 1930s that played such a great role in extending and deepening the Great Depression, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump does not rule the world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
  • The Trump administration cannot be allowed to get away with this thuggish behaviour that risks global depression, global peace and security and sustainability. It

Trump does not rule the world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
  • The Trump administration cannot be allowed to get away with this thuggish behaviour that risks global depression, global peace and security and sustainability. It
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's 'MAGA aggression,' if implemented, would be even more destructive than the highly protectionist trade policies of the 1930s that played such a great role in extending and deepening the Great Depression, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump’s assault on Canada can actually make us stronger and better

  • But we will have to work at it.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
At some point there has to be an adult conversation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on the future continental relationship. But the Trump administration is still focused on coercion rather than negotiation, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Trump’s assault on Canada can actually make us stronger and better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
  • But we will have to work at it.

Trump’s assault on Canada can actually make us stronger and better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
  • But we will have to work at it.
At some point there has to be an adult conversation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on the future continental relationship. But the Trump administration is still focused on coercion rather than negotiation, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Canada should not allow itself to be intimidated by bullies in the White House

  • They will eventually fail. We must prepare for when Donald Trump and his enforcers are gone. 
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
Donald Trump's disruption to trade will have seriously damaging consequences for the U.S. and its workers. Inflation, job losses, and high interest rates could be broad consequences. His political position at home is weak. He did not win an overwhelming victory in last year's election, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Owantana

Canada should not allow itself to be intimidated by bullies in the White House

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
  • They will eventually fail. We must prepare for when Donald Trump and his enforcers are gone. 

Canada should not allow itself to be intimidated by bullies in the White House

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
  • They will eventually fail. We must prepare for when Donald Trump and his enforcers are gone. 
Donald Trump's disruption to trade will have seriously damaging consequences for the U.S. and its workers. Inflation, job losses, and high interest rates could be broad consequences. His political position at home is weak. He did not win an overwhelming victory in last year's election, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Owantana

Paradoxically, Trump has given Canada the opportunity for serious change

  • Donald Trump has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country—their patriotism—and restored pride in our accomplishments. This gives us a great opportunity now
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's insults have done us a big favour: he has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

Paradoxically, Trump has given Canada the opportunity for serious change

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
  • Donald Trump has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country—their patriotism—and restored pride in our accomplishments. This gives us a great opportunity now

Paradoxically, Trump has given Canada the opportunity for serious change

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
  • Donald Trump has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country—their patriotism—and restored pride in our accomplishments. This gives us a great opportunity now
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's insults have done us a big favour: he has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

It’s time for Big Canada-thinking and Big Canada-action

  • We have to build a new economy, one that—through innovation and productivity—will enable us to diversify our economy, create good jobs, and generate the
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 3, 2025
We need to be an innovative nation: The needed changes will be disruptive, maybe painful, and will take time. But, if the result is an innovative country, it will be worth it, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Jimmy Chan/Pexels

It’s time for Big Canada-thinking and Big Canada-action

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 3, 2025
  • We have to build a new economy, one that—through innovation and productivity—will enable us to diversify our economy, create good jobs, and generate the

It’s time for Big Canada-thinking and Big Canada-action

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 3, 2025
  • We have to build a new economy, one that—through innovation and productivity—will enable us to diversify our economy, create good jobs, and generate the
We need to be an innovative nation: The needed changes will be disruptive, maybe painful, and will take time. But, if the result is an innovative country, it will be worth it, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Jimmy Chan/Pexels

The choice of our next prime minister really matters

  • It will take a strong will to defend our interests, particularly since there may be strong pressure here at home to cave in to
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 27, 2025
An illustration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It is hard to think of a time when the quality of Canadian leadership mattered so much. We face four years of formidable pressure to become a vassal state with severely limited capacity to act in our own interest, writes David Crane. Illustration courtesy of Pixabay/Gabriel Douglas

The choice of our next prime minister really matters

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 27, 2025
  • It will take a strong will to defend our interests, particularly since there may be strong pressure here at home to cave in to

The choice of our next prime minister really matters

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 27, 2025
  • It will take a strong will to defend our interests, particularly since there may be strong pressure here at home to cave in to
An illustration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It is hard to think of a time when the quality of Canadian leadership mattered so much. We face four years of formidable pressure to become a vassal state with severely limited capacity to act in our own interest, writes David Crane. Illustration courtesy of Pixabay/Gabriel Douglas

Canada can’t win a retaliatory trade war with the U.S.

  • Instead, we should focus on a nation-building strategy to transform our economy, identifying and pursuing our best chances for a post-Trump world.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 20, 2025
First ministers' meeting
First ministers' meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 16, 2025. The Trump administration is expected to pursue a hostile policy toward Canada, intent on making us a vassal state. Our best bet is to focus on nation building, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada can’t win a retaliatory trade war with the U.S.

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 20, 2025
  • Instead, we should focus on a nation-building strategy to transform our economy, identifying and pursuing our best chances for a post-Trump world.

Canada can’t win a retaliatory trade war with the U.S.

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 20, 2025
  • Instead, we should focus on a nation-building strategy to transform our economy, identifying and pursuing our best chances for a post-Trump world.
First ministers' meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 16, 2025. The Trump administration is expected to pursue a hostile policy toward Canada, intent on making us a vassal state. Our best bet is to focus on nation building, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s threats could make us stronger and prouder, if we’re ready to try

  • The big question will be how much pain we are ready to endure before acceding to Trump's demands, and how much we are prepared
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 13, 2025
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
The Trudeau government had quickly adapted to Trumpism, declaring that Canada was fully in line on the U.S. president-elect's China policy, and agreeing that Mexico posed a threat because of its Chinese investment, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s threats could make us stronger and prouder, if we’re ready to try

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 13, 2025
  • The big question will be how much pain we are ready to endure before acceding to Trump's demands, and how much we are prepared

Trump’s threats could make us stronger and prouder, if we’re ready to try

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 13, 2025
  • The big question will be how much pain we are ready to endure before acceding to Trump's demands, and how much we are prepared
Justin Trudeau
The Trudeau government had quickly adapted to Trumpism, declaring that Canada was fully in line on the U.S. president-elect's China policy, and agreeing that Mexico posed a threat because of its Chinese investment, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Timing is right for Mark Carney to fill Canada’s leadership deficit

  • Given the huge threats to our future—of which Donald Trump is just one—Canada needs a leader with extensive economic experience, something which both Justin
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 6, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. 'My own suspicion is that Carney is thinking hard about vying for the country’s top job, and is leaning towards stepping up should Trudeau leave,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Timing is right for Mark Carney to fill Canada’s leadership deficit

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 6, 2025
  • Given the huge threats to our future—of which Donald Trump is just one—Canada needs a leader with extensive economic experience, something which both Justin

Timing is right for Mark Carney to fill Canada’s leadership deficit

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 6, 2025
  • Given the huge threats to our future—of which Donald Trump is just one—Canada needs a leader with extensive economic experience, something which both Justin
Mark Carney
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. 'My own suspicion is that Carney is thinking hard about vying for the country’s top job, and is leaning towards stepping up should Trudeau leave,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

There’s even greater urgency in building a stronger economy

  • It’s time our existing government to act like a real one until the next election so that more can be done over the coming
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 25, 2024
New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc shortly after being sworn into his current role at Rideau Hall on Dec. 16, 2024. Since this year’s fall economic statement is the government’s latest plan for the economy, it deserves to be examined in detail, despite its bizarre unveiling, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

There’s even greater urgency in building a stronger economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 25, 2024
  • It’s time our existing government to act like a real one until the next election so that more can be done over the coming

There’s even greater urgency in building a stronger economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 25, 2024
  • It’s time our existing government to act like a real one until the next election so that more can be done over the coming
New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc shortly after being sworn into his current role at Rideau Hall on Dec. 16, 2024. Since this year’s fall economic statement is the government’s latest plan for the economy, it deserves to be examined in detail, despite its bizarre unveiling, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Multipolar solutions needed as U.S. stands in the way

  • At a time when global co-operation is urgently needed, we are living in a mercantilist or zero-sum world.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 16, 2024
Mélanie Joly
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Over a decade or more of stagnant wages, working Canadians have benefitted from low-cost imports, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Multipolar solutions needed as U.S. stands in the way

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 16, 2024
  • At a time when global co-operation is urgently needed, we are living in a mercantilist or zero-sum world.

Multipolar solutions needed as U.S. stands in the way

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 16, 2024
  • At a time when global co-operation is urgently needed, we are living in a mercantilist or zero-sum world.
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Over a decade or more of stagnant wages, working Canadians have benefitted from low-cost imports, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Dear Minister Champagne, Canada needs all the help we can get

  • Building a new defence industrial base, with a core of advanced Canadian companies with global prospects for their technologies, is an opportunity we cannot
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 9, 2024
The response from Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured, sounded promising. The industrial benefits policy, Champagne said, reflected “the importance of fostering homegrown innovation and developing our industrial capacity, given industry’s critical role in supporting Canada’s national security,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Dear Minister Champagne, Canada needs all the help we can get

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 9, 2024
  • Building a new defence industrial base, with a core of advanced Canadian companies with global prospects for their technologies, is an opportunity we cannot

Dear Minister Champagne, Canada needs all the help we can get

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 9, 2024
  • Building a new defence industrial base, with a core of advanced Canadian companies with global prospects for their technologies, is an opportunity we cannot
The response from Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured, sounded promising. The industrial benefits policy, Champagne said, reflected “the importance of fostering homegrown innovation and developing our industrial capacity, given industry’s critical role in supporting Canada’s national security,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump doesn’t hold all the cards

  • So while we should take Trump seriously, we have to make sure that the Trump administration understands that Canada has cards, too.  
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 2, 2024
While Donald Trump will have much capacity to do harm and bring severe risks to the North American and global economies and to elevate geopolitical risks, it would be a huge mistake for Canada and other nations to surrender in advance, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump doesn’t hold all the cards

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 2, 2024
  • So while we should take Trump seriously, we have to make sure that the Trump administration understands that Canada has cards, too.  

Trump doesn’t hold all the cards

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 2, 2024
  • So while we should take Trump seriously, we have to make sure that the Trump administration understands that Canada has cards, too.  
While Donald Trump will have much capacity to do harm and bring severe risks to the North American and global economies and to elevate geopolitical risks, it would be a huge mistake for Canada and other nations to surrender in advance, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

We cannot let ourselves be paralyzed by fear of the United States of America

  • Despite Donald Trump, Canada will have policymaking room to do more of what we need to do, if we are ready to try. We
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 25, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Freeland heads the new Canada-U.S. Cabinet Committee, and LeBlanc is the vice-chair. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

We cannot let ourselves be paralyzed by fear of the United States of America

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 25, 2024
  • Despite Donald Trump, Canada will have policymaking room to do more of what we need to do, if we are ready to try. We

We cannot let ourselves be paralyzed by fear of the United States of America

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 25, 2024
  • Despite Donald Trump, Canada will have policymaking room to do more of what we need to do, if we are ready to try. We
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Freeland heads the new Canada-U.S. Cabinet Committee, and LeBlanc is the vice-chair. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canada’s already afraid of big, bad America

  • The best outcome of a new Trump administration is that Canadians will wake up to take greater charge of their own future.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 18, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, far right, said she shares concerns about whether Mexico is 'aligned' with Canada and the U.S. on trade policy. Americans care about their country and push hard for its interests. It’s time for Canadians to feel just as strongly about our own country’s interests and future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s already afraid of big, bad America

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 18, 2024
  • The best outcome of a new Trump administration is that Canadians will wake up to take greater charge of their own future.

Canada’s already afraid of big, bad America

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 18, 2024
  • The best outcome of a new Trump administration is that Canadians will wake up to take greater charge of their own future.
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, far right, said she shares concerns about whether Mexico is 'aligned' with Canada and the U.S. on trade policy. Americans care about their country and push hard for its interests. It’s time for Canadians to feel just as strongly about our own country’s interests and future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Think of the next Trump term as Canada’s cold, harsh shower

  • We have to work much more seriously, and much more strategically for our own national interest. 
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 7, 2024
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House may be what it finally takes to shake Canada out of its complacency and too easy reliance on the U.S., for trade, finance, technology or defence, forcing our own businesses to be more innovative, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Think of the next Trump term as Canada’s cold, harsh shower

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 7, 2024
  • We have to work much more seriously, and much more strategically for our own national interest. 

Think of the next Trump term as Canada’s cold, harsh shower

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 7, 2024
  • We have to work much more seriously, and much more strategically for our own national interest. 
Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House may be what it finally takes to shake Canada out of its complacency and too easy reliance on the U.S., for trade, finance, technology or defence, forcing our own businesses to be more innovative, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Liberals have fumbled green energy transition, and Conservatives have zero interest

  • We are far from the needed trajectory to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but failure is not an option.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 4, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The transition to a new energy world will not be cheap or easy. But it will deliver great economic opportunity and a more environmentally sustainable world. We need to be part of that world, but we are not there yet, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals have fumbled green energy transition, and Conservatives have zero interest

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 4, 2024
  • We are far from the needed trajectory to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but failure is not an option.

Liberals have fumbled green energy transition, and Conservatives have zero interest

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 4, 2024
  • We are far from the needed trajectory to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but failure is not an option.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The transition to a new energy world will not be cheap or easy. But it will deliver great economic opportunity and a more environmentally sustainable world. We need to be part of that world, but we are not there yet, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Productivity and innovation actions are a decade too late

  • If we fail to act with a sense of urgency we could end up as the poor attic of North America.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 28, 2024
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Feb. 6, 2024.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Feb. 6, 2024.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Canada needs to approach innovation and productivity from a much better base starting with a better institutional framework for policymaking and performance review, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Productivity and innovation actions are a decade too late

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 28, 2024
  • If we fail to act with a sense of urgency we could end up as the poor attic of North America.

Productivity and innovation actions are a decade too late

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 28, 2024
  • If we fail to act with a sense of urgency we could end up as the poor attic of North America.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Feb. 6, 2024.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Canada needs to approach innovation and productivity from a much better base starting with a better institutional framework for policymaking and performance review, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Supporting Canadian entrepreneurs is critical

  • The main driver of economic growth and rising productivity is technological progress, much of which comes from ambitious entrepreneurs. Supporting them should be a
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 18, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured on the Hill last May, spends much of his time paying foreign multinationals to locate here and too little time helping to build Canadian successes, writes David Crane, based on Shopify president Harley Finkelstein's recent comments. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Supporting Canadian entrepreneurs is critical

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 18, 2024
  • The main driver of economic growth and rising productivity is technological progress, much of which comes from ambitious entrepreneurs. Supporting them should be a

Supporting Canadian entrepreneurs is critical

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 18, 2024
  • The main driver of economic growth and rising productivity is technological progress, much of which comes from ambitious entrepreneurs. Supporting them should be a
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured on the Hill last May, spends much of his time paying foreign multinationals to locate here and too little time helping to build Canadian successes, writes David Crane, based on Shopify president Harley Finkelstein's recent comments. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Meeting innovation challenges critical for a better future

  • We're in the midst of a disruptive industrial revolution, facing daunting prospects if we fail to deal with climate change, and must accommodate an
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 14, 2024
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Feb. 6, 2024.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Feb. 6, 2024.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne. While Canada has moved up a notch in the global innovation rankings in two key categories, we have quite disappointing outcomes, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Meeting innovation challenges critical for a better future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 14, 2024
  • We're in the midst of a disruptive industrial revolution, facing daunting prospects if we fail to deal with climate change, and must accommodate an

Meeting innovation challenges critical for a better future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 14, 2024
  • We're in the midst of a disruptive industrial revolution, facing daunting prospects if we fail to deal with climate change, and must accommodate an
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Feb. 6, 2024.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne. While Canada has moved up a notch in the global innovation rankings in two key categories, we have quite disappointing outcomes, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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It’s a Brit problem, it’s a Canadian problem

  • A recent British study argues that one of the top issues for U.K. innovation and industrial policy is the early sale of promising new science
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 7, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne at BIOTECanada's BIONation conference in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2024. Overall, Canada needs a new, independent, arm’s length body that can monitor how well our innovation programs are working, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s a Brit problem, it’s a Canadian problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 7, 2024
  • A recent British study argues that one of the top issues for U.K. innovation and industrial policy is the early sale of promising new science

It’s a Brit problem, it’s a Canadian problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 7, 2024
  • A recent British study argues that one of the top issues for U.K. innovation and industrial policy is the early sale of promising new science
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne at BIOTECanada's BIONation conference in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2024. Overall, Canada needs a new, independent, arm’s length body that can monitor how well our innovation programs are working, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Standing up for cultural sovereignty requires a steel backbone

  • The U.S. streamers will do all they can to weaken and defeat the Online Streaming Act and its effort to strengthen Canadian identity.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 30, 2024
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge. Canada is far from alone from wanting to create content for its own productions, stories and narratives, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Standing up for cultural sovereignty requires a steel backbone

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 30, 2024
  • The U.S. streamers will do all they can to weaken and defeat the Online Streaming Act and its effort to strengthen Canadian identity.

Standing up for cultural sovereignty requires a steel backbone

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 30, 2024
  • The U.S. streamers will do all they can to weaken and defeat the Online Streaming Act and its effort to strengthen Canadian identity.
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge. Canada is far from alone from wanting to create content for its own productions, stories and narratives, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need a serious growth plan for Canada, like the EU’s

  • The European Union's recent report sets out priorities, a plan, and an estimated cost. This is what we need: something solid and serious for
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 23, 2024
Tiff Macklem
Tiff Macklem
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, left, and Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers on the Hill on Feb. 1, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need a serious growth plan for Canada, like the EU’s

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 23, 2024
  • The European Union's recent report sets out priorities, a plan, and an estimated cost. This is what we need: something solid and serious for

We need a serious growth plan for Canada, like the EU’s

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 23, 2024
  • The European Union's recent report sets out priorities, a plan, and an estimated cost. This is what we need: something solid and serious for
Tiff Macklem
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, left, and Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers on the Hill on Feb. 1, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Economic challenges need more than pages for next Liberal platform

  • Mark Carney’s task force may improve things at the margins, but we will need much more than a short-term project.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 16, 2024
Appointing Mark Carney to a Leader’s Task Force on Economic Growth smacks of desperation, with a government urgently in search of something that will keep it in power, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Economic challenges need more than pages for next Liberal platform

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 16, 2024
  • Mark Carney’s task force may improve things at the margins, but we will need much more than a short-term project.

Economic challenges need more than pages for next Liberal platform

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 16, 2024
  • Mark Carney’s task force may improve things at the margins, but we will need much more than a short-term project.
Appointing Mark Carney to a Leader’s Task Force on Economic Growth smacks of desperation, with a government urgently in search of something that will keep it in power, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Canada sends message that we are part of ‘America First’

  • On EVs, the feds ignored the process of implementing trade defensive measures, and instead adopted a secretive process to simply appropriate an arbitrary U.S.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 9, 2024
Finance Minster Chrystia Freeland has said that ongoing talks could lead to additional protectionist measures in other sectors, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada sends message that we are part of ‘America First’

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 9, 2024
  • On EVs, the feds ignored the process of implementing trade defensive measures, and instead adopted a secretive process to simply appropriate an arbitrary U.S.

Canada sends message that we are part of ‘America First’

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 9, 2024
  • On EVs, the feds ignored the process of implementing trade defensive measures, and instead adopted a secretive process to simply appropriate an arbitrary U.S.
Finance Minster Chrystia Freeland has said that ongoing talks could lead to additional protectionist measures in other sectors, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Protectionism is not the answer on Chinese EVs

  • Our government, supported by the official opposition, is doing more harm than good by ignoring due process and undermining the global rules-based system.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 2, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement that Canada will match the United States in tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles shows the top priority in our foreign policy is to keep the Americans happy, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Protectionism is not the answer on Chinese EVs

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 2, 2024
  • Our government, supported by the official opposition, is doing more harm than good by ignoring due process and undermining the global rules-based system.

Protectionism is not the answer on Chinese EVs

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 2, 2024
  • Our government, supported by the official opposition, is doing more harm than good by ignoring due process and undermining the global rules-based system.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement that Canada will match the United States in tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles shows the top priority in our foreign policy is to keep the Americans happy, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Green transition offers a chance for Canadian wealth creation

  • Providing patient, long-term capital for our future winners is critical.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 26, 2024
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. It’s vital for government to be a source of patient capital if we are to successfully grow our promising firms, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Green transition offers a chance for Canadian wealth creation

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 26, 2024
  • Providing patient, long-term capital for our future winners is critical.

Green transition offers a chance for Canadian wealth creation

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 26, 2024
  • Providing patient, long-term capital for our future winners is critical.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. It’s vital for government to be a source of patient capital if we are to successfully grow our promising firms, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs a new growth agenda

  • More Canadian talent will be motivated to move south unless we can do much better on innovation and productivity.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 19, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a scrum on the Hill. Dynamic growth should be our national priority. We know we have much talent and potential in the Canadian population for remarkable innovation, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs a new growth agenda

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 19, 2024
  • More Canadian talent will be motivated to move south unless we can do much better on innovation and productivity.

Canada needs a new growth agenda

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 19, 2024
  • More Canadian talent will be motivated to move south unless we can do much better on innovation and productivity.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a scrum on the Hill. Dynamic growth should be our national priority. We know we have much talent and potential in the Canadian population for remarkable innovation, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada has to focus on becoming a genuine innovation nation

  • If Canadians want a better-performing economy, then much more attention will have to be focused on innovation-driven productivity, skills training, and bringing more Canadians
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 12, 2024
Another Statistics Canada study published earlier this year—Canada’s Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: Perspectives on the Return to Trend—underlined that improvements in real GDP per capita can come from three sources: labour productivity, the number of hours worked, and the percentage of the population that is working, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada has to focus on becoming a genuine innovation nation

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 12, 2024
  • If Canadians want a better-performing economy, then much more attention will have to be focused on innovation-driven productivity, skills training, and bringing more Canadians

Canada has to focus on becoming a genuine innovation nation

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 12, 2024
  • If Canadians want a better-performing economy, then much more attention will have to be focused on innovation-driven productivity, skills training, and bringing more Canadians
Another Statistics Canada study published earlier this year—Canada’s Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: Perspectives on the Return to Trend—underlined that improvements in real GDP per capita can come from three sources: labour productivity, the number of hours worked, and the percentage of the population that is working, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump administration would put ‘robust emphasis’ on fossil fuels

  • Donald Trump would once again pull the U.S. out of global climate commitments and negotiations under the 2015 Paris Accord, recently calling it a 'rip-off
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 1, 2024
Both the U.S. presidential contender, Donald Trump, left, and Canada’s potential new prime minister, Pierre Poilievre, have a record of downplaying the seriousness of climate change and favouring the interests of the oil and gas industry, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump administration would put ‘robust emphasis’ on fossil fuels

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 1, 2024
  • Donald Trump would once again pull the U.S. out of global climate commitments and negotiations under the 2015 Paris Accord, recently calling it a 'rip-off

Trump administration would put ‘robust emphasis’ on fossil fuels

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 1, 2024
  • Donald Trump would once again pull the U.S. out of global climate commitments and negotiations under the 2015 Paris Accord, recently calling it a 'rip-off
Both the U.S. presidential contender, Donald Trump, left, and Canada’s potential new prime minister, Pierre Poilievre, have a record of downplaying the seriousness of climate change and favouring the interests of the oil and gas industry, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need to seize our potential now for young Canadians

  • There remain too many troubling signs that the concern is still not enough to redefine our priorities to ensure young Canadians have good cause
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 29, 2024
The latest Bank of Canada quarterly survey of the business outlook found that the majority of businesses are lowering planned wage increases over the next 12 months. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need to seize our potential now for young Canadians

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 29, 2024
  • There remain too many troubling signs that the concern is still not enough to redefine our priorities to ensure young Canadians have good cause

We need to seize our potential now for young Canadians

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 29, 2024
  • There remain too many troubling signs that the concern is still not enough to redefine our priorities to ensure young Canadians have good cause
The latest Bank of Canada quarterly survey of the business outlook found that the majority of businesses are lowering planned wage increases over the next 12 months. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Canada broken? The IMF says no, but we do need to boost our productivity

  • A new IMF report provides a balanced view of where Canada is at than the mangled exchanges and accusations between our supposedly adult parliamentarians.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 22, 2024
Peace Towe
Peace Towe
Each year, the IMF—under Article IV of the IMF Articles of Agreement—sends a staff team to Canada to collect financial and economic information, talks to officials and others, and makes an assessment of our performance and policies. It latest report on Canada—Staff Report for the 2024 Article IV Consultation—has just been published. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Canada broken? The IMF says no, but we do need to boost our productivity

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 22, 2024
  • A new IMF report provides a balanced view of where Canada is at than the mangled exchanges and accusations between our supposedly adult parliamentarians.

Is Canada broken? The IMF says no, but we do need to boost our productivity

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 22, 2024
  • A new IMF report provides a balanced view of where Canada is at than the mangled exchanges and accusations between our supposedly adult parliamentarians.
Peace Towe
Each year, the IMF—under Article IV of the IMF Articles of Agreement—sends a staff team to Canada to collect financial and economic information, talks to officials and others, and makes an assessment of our performance and policies. It latest report on Canada—Staff Report for the 2024 Article IV Consultation—has just been published. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs a fresh approach on innovation

  • Innovation is about bringing new ideas to market. This, built on technological progress and investment in intangibles, is the key source of productivity-boosting economic
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 15, 2024
Minister François-Philippe Champagne
Minister François-Philippe Champagne
Federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne pictured recently in a Hill scrum. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs a fresh approach on innovation

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 15, 2024
  • Innovation is about bringing new ideas to market. This, built on technological progress and investment in intangibles, is the key source of productivity-boosting economic

Canada needs a fresh approach on innovation

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 15, 2024
  • Innovation is about bringing new ideas to market. This, built on technological progress and investment in intangibles, is the key source of productivity-boosting economic
Minister François-Philippe Champagne
Federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne pictured recently in a Hill scrum. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bumpy road ahead for CUSMA negotiations

  • Would it be better to have a bad deal than no deal at all? The very question would test Canadian unity.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 8, 2024
Presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden. A Trump administration may be quite ready to get rid of CUSMA, while a Biden—or other Democratic—administration would nonetheless push hard for more and more concessions by Canada, writes David Crane. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Bumpy road ahead for CUSMA negotiations

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 8, 2024
  • Would it be better to have a bad deal than no deal at all? The very question would test Canadian unity.

Bumpy road ahead for CUSMA negotiations

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 8, 2024
  • Would it be better to have a bad deal than no deal at all? The very question would test Canadian unity.
Presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden. A Trump administration may be quite ready to get rid of CUSMA, while a Biden—or other Democratic—administration would nonetheless push hard for more and more concessions by Canada, writes David Crane. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

What this country needs is more pride and hope, especially right now

  • What's missing is a strong sense of patriotism—a pride in what we have accomplished as a country, a love of country, and a commitment
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 1, 2024
A parachuter, pictured July 1, 2022, in Ottawa. In a memorable 1999 speech, former prime minister John Turner, spoke as a Canadian patriot. 'It is our good fortune as Canadians to occupy the most beautiful land on earth.' But 'it is our good sense which has made this country one of the most free and open democracies in the world.' The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

What this country needs is more pride and hope, especially right now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 1, 2024
  • What's missing is a strong sense of patriotism—a pride in what we have accomplished as a country, a love of country, and a commitment

What this country needs is more pride and hope, especially right now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 1, 2024
  • What's missing is a strong sense of patriotism—a pride in what we have accomplished as a country, a love of country, and a commitment
A parachuter, pictured July 1, 2022, in Ottawa. In a memorable 1999 speech, former prime minister John Turner, spoke as a Canadian patriot. 'It is our good fortune as Canadians to occupy the most beautiful land on earth.' But 'it is our good sense which has made this country one of the most free and open democracies in the world.' The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

New report shows Canada’s economic weaknesses date back to 2006, covering Harper and Trudeau years

  • The Bennett Jones report sets out some directions in taxation, competition, immigration, investment, and the green energy transition, but no policy map. It also
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 24, 2024
Despite some gaps, a recent Bennett Jones report gets it right when it calls for a 'laser-focused' strategy for productivity growth in Canada, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New report shows Canada’s economic weaknesses date back to 2006, covering Harper and Trudeau years

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 24, 2024
  • The Bennett Jones report sets out some directions in taxation, competition, immigration, investment, and the green energy transition, but no policy map. It also

New report shows Canada’s economic weaknesses date back to 2006, covering Harper and Trudeau years

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 24, 2024
  • The Bennett Jones report sets out some directions in taxation, competition, immigration, investment, and the green energy transition, but no policy map. It also
Despite some gaps, a recent Bennett Jones report gets it right when it calls for a 'laser-focused' strategy for productivity growth in Canada, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Our political leaders are afraid to confront Canadians with the challenges we face for a better future

  • The big issues facing Canada will likely be sidelined since neither Liberals nor Conservatives want to face up to them even though this country’s
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 13, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Our political leaders are afraid to confront Canadians with the challenges we face for a better future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 13, 2024
  • The big issues facing Canada will likely be sidelined since neither Liberals nor Conservatives want to face up to them even though this country’s

Our political leaders are afraid to confront Canadians with the challenges we face for a better future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 13, 2024
  • The big issues facing Canada will likely be sidelined since neither Liberals nor Conservatives want to face up to them even though this country’s
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canada can do better than just being a branch-plant economy

  • We need to be more innovative. But innovation takes place in companies, and if you don’t have them, you don’t have the innovation. That’s our
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 10, 2024
Federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a scrum on the Hill. 'The problem is that Canada is pursuing an alternative economic strategy—relying on foreign multinationals to locate here in return for massive taxpayer subsidies,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada can do better than just being a branch-plant economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 10, 2024
  • We need to be more innovative. But innovation takes place in companies, and if you don’t have them, you don’t have the innovation. That’s our

Canada can do better than just being a branch-plant economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 10, 2024
  • We need to be more innovative. But innovation takes place in companies, and if you don’t have them, you don’t have the innovation. That’s our
Federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a scrum on the Hill. 'The problem is that Canada is pursuing an alternative economic strategy—relying on foreign multinationals to locate here in return for massive taxpayer subsidies,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Longer-term trends on climate change are truly ominous

  • We know that life on Earth will become more difficult if we fail to act with a heightened sense of urgency,  But we also
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 3, 2024
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Ottawa on April 23, 2024. Guilbeault said in a 2023 report that 'Climate scientists are unequivocally telling us that we must drastically reduce our emissions by 2030 … if we are to leave a habitable world to our children.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Longer-term trends on climate change are truly ominous

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 3, 2024
  • We know that life on Earth will become more difficult if we fail to act with a heightened sense of urgency,  But we also

Longer-term trends on climate change are truly ominous

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 3, 2024
  • We know that life on Earth will become more difficult if we fail to act with a heightened sense of urgency,  But we also
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Ottawa on April 23, 2024. Guilbeault said in a 2023 report that 'Climate scientists are unequivocally telling us that we must drastically reduce our emissions by 2030 … if we are to leave a habitable world to our children.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada faces a dangerous tipping point on its economy

  • We are not developing the kind of industries—and hence the kind of jobs, productivity and wealth—we need to preserve, sustain and improve the kind
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 27, 2024
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters outside the Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on May 8, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada faces a dangerous tipping point on its economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 27, 2024
  • We are not developing the kind of industries—and hence the kind of jobs, productivity and wealth—we need to preserve, sustain and improve the kind

Canada faces a dangerous tipping point on its economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 27, 2024
  • We are not developing the kind of industries—and hence the kind of jobs, productivity and wealth—we need to preserve, sustain and improve the kind
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne speaks with reporters outside the Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on May 8, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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