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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.

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

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
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Freeland fails to address future of Canadian economy in forthright terms

  • Now more than ever, Canadians need substance and forthright leadership on how we climb out of the current morass for a better future.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 27, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in the lock-up before tabling the government’s fall economic statement in the House on pictured Nov. 21, 2023. Productivity really matters, yet Freeland gave it little attention in her update, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland fails to address future of Canadian economy in forthright terms

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 27, 2023
  • Now more than ever, Canadians need substance and forthright leadership on how we climb out of the current morass for a better future.

Freeland fails to address future of Canadian economy in forthright terms

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 27, 2023
  • Now more than ever, Canadians need substance and forthright leadership on how we climb out of the current morass for a better future.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in the lock-up before tabling the government’s fall economic statement in the House on pictured Nov. 21, 2023. Productivity really matters, yet Freeland gave it little attention in her update, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A better Canada starts with better leadership

  • It is the fundamental responsibility of a prime minster and the government he heads to demonstrate vision, define the big challenges the country faces,
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 20, 2023
The failure of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to meet the future needs of Canadians—notably those in the middle class and others who haven’t yet reached it—raises the risk of social breakdown, writes David Crane.

A better Canada starts with better leadership

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 20, 2023
  • It is the fundamental responsibility of a prime minster and the government he heads to demonstrate vision, define the big challenges the country faces,

A better Canada starts with better leadership

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 20, 2023
  • It is the fundamental responsibility of a prime minster and the government he heads to demonstrate vision, define the big challenges the country faces,
The failure of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to meet the future needs of Canadians—notably those in the middle class and others who haven’t yet reached it—raises the risk of social breakdown, writes David Crane.

Canada’s trying to fight inflation and restore economic growth through rear-view mirror policies

  • From geopolitical tensions to rising debt levels and aging, the effect of these trends is a reduction in the capacity of the supply side to respond
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 13, 2023
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured recently at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, will deliver the fall economic update in the House on Nov. 21. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s trying to fight inflation and restore economic growth through rear-view mirror policies

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 13, 2023
  • From geopolitical tensions to rising debt levels and aging, the effect of these trends is a reduction in the capacity of the supply side to respond

Canada’s trying to fight inflation and restore economic growth through rear-view mirror policies

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 13, 2023
  • From geopolitical tensions to rising debt levels and aging, the effect of these trends is a reduction in the capacity of the supply side to respond
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured recently at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, will deliver the fall economic update in the House on Nov. 21. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada urgently needs more capital here at home

  • If we could get an extra five percentage points of the Canadian Pension Plan and other institutional pools of capital currently flowing into foreign markets
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 6, 2023
Our pension funds, mutual funds, insurance companies, and other managers of Canadian savings send billions of dollars every year to the United States, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe to invest in their growth companies while young Canadian firms find themselves starved of funds, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Canada urgently needs more capital here at home

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 6, 2023
  • If we could get an extra five percentage points of the Canadian Pension Plan and other institutional pools of capital currently flowing into foreign markets

Canada urgently needs more capital here at home

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | November 6, 2023
  • If we could get an extra five percentage points of the Canadian Pension Plan and other institutional pools of capital currently flowing into foreign markets
Our pension funds, mutual funds, insurance companies, and other managers of Canadian savings send billions of dollars every year to the United States, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe to invest in their growth companies while young Canadian firms find themselves starved of funds, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Freeland’s economic update needs to be realistic and honest

  • Canada has put off facing reality for too long; we cannot take our future for granted any longer. We need a government—and a country—that
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 30, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's upcoming fiscal outlook is a critical part of the budget process because, if done properly, it sets out the framework for policy choices in next year’s budget, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s economic update needs to be realistic and honest

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 30, 2023
  • Canada has put off facing reality for too long; we cannot take our future for granted any longer. We need a government—and a country—that

Freeland’s economic update needs to be realistic and honest

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 30, 2023
  • Canada has put off facing reality for too long; we cannot take our future for granted any longer. We need a government—and a country—that
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's upcoming fiscal outlook is a critical part of the budget process because, if done properly, it sets out the framework for policy choices in next year’s budget, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s on the wrong side of the big issues

  • If we had pride in our country and its place in the world, we would be leading the way in the transition to a new
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured recently on the Hill. The reality is that the Western-dominated system of global governance created after the Second World War, and the long period of economic progress it generated, no longer works, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s on the wrong side of the big issues

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 19, 2023
  • If we had pride in our country and its place in the world, we would be leading the way in the transition to a new

Canada’s on the wrong side of the big issues

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 19, 2023
  • If we had pride in our country and its place in the world, we would be leading the way in the transition to a new
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured recently on the Hill. The reality is that the Western-dominated system of global governance created after the Second World War, and the long period of economic progress it generated, no longer works, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Break-up of world economy into competing blocs poses huge risk to human society

  • If Canada wants to be useful in the world, we should be a champion for multilateralism, as we once were.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 16, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seen recently on the Hill. Canada is 'among the loudest voices for fragmentation, friend-shoring and all the other simplistic impulses that have us on course for a much more dangerous and difficult world,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Break-up of world economy into competing blocs poses huge risk to human society

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 16, 2023
  • If Canada wants to be useful in the world, we should be a champion for multilateralism, as we once were.

Break-up of world economy into competing blocs poses huge risk to human society

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 16, 2023
  • If Canada wants to be useful in the world, we should be a champion for multilateralism, as we once were.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seen recently on the Hill. Canada is 'among the loudest voices for fragmentation, friend-shoring and all the other simplistic impulses that have us on course for a much more dangerous and difficult world,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada lacks capacity for effective policy-making, and we’re not alone

  • The latest Global Innovation Index ranks Canada 15th globally. The top 10 include Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Britain, Singapore, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 9, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the Hill on Sept. 27, 2023. The Liberal government has been committing billions upon billions of dollars of public funding and incentives which it says will lead to a badly needed high-innovation economy based on the industries of the future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada lacks capacity for effective policy-making, and we’re not alone

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 9, 2023
  • The latest Global Innovation Index ranks Canada 15th globally. The top 10 include Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Britain, Singapore, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and

Canada lacks capacity for effective policy-making, and we’re not alone

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 9, 2023
  • The latest Global Innovation Index ranks Canada 15th globally. The top 10 include Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Britain, Singapore, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the Hill on Sept. 27, 2023. The Liberal government has been committing billions upon billions of dollars of public funding and incentives which it says will lead to a badly needed high-innovation economy based on the industries of the future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Complacency is our enemy today, bold thinking is our future

  • We need a future-oriented economy with innovative Canadian firms with their own IP that makes them competitive and free to operate and grow globally.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 2, 2023
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, pictured on the Hill on Sept. 19, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Complacency is our enemy today, bold thinking is our future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 2, 2023
  • We need a future-oriented economy with innovative Canadian firms with their own IP that makes them competitive and free to operate and grow globally.

Complacency is our enemy today, bold thinking is our future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | October 2, 2023
  • We need a future-oriented economy with innovative Canadian firms with their own IP that makes them competitive and free to operate and grow globally.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, pictured on the Hill on Sept. 19, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The G7 can no longer call the shots

  • BRICS+ represents a long overdue step toward a new world order where the developing world's interests have greater influence.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 25, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The United States, cheered on by Canada, is working to divide the world into competing blocs, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The G7 can no longer call the shots

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 25, 2023
  • BRICS+ represents a long overdue step toward a new world order where the developing world's interests have greater influence.

The G7 can no longer call the shots

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 25, 2023
  • BRICS+ represents a long overdue step toward a new world order where the developing world's interests have greater influence.
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The United States, cheered on by Canada, is working to divide the world into competing blocs, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Corporate Canada needs to support net-zero emissions

  • We can expect a fierce fight against a cap on oil and gas emissions, or to make it so high to be largely irrelevant.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 18, 2023
It will be a test of our corporate community to see whether it is led by opportunistic profit maximizers, or by more visionary investors and executives who can work with the transition to a healthier and more viable future. Without such support, we are unlikely to achieve net-zero emissions, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Corporate Canada needs to support net-zero emissions

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 18, 2023
  • We can expect a fierce fight against a cap on oil and gas emissions, or to make it so high to be largely irrelevant.

Corporate Canada needs to support net-zero emissions

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 18, 2023
  • We can expect a fierce fight against a cap on oil and gas emissions, or to make it so high to be largely irrelevant.
It will be a test of our corporate community to see whether it is led by opportunistic profit maximizers, or by more visionary investors and executives who can work with the transition to a healthier and more viable future. Without such support, we are unlikely to achieve net-zero emissions, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

No greater threat to the Canadian dream today than our misguided complacency

  • Statistics Canada's recent data shows that productivity in the business sector fell in the second quarter, marking the fifth successive quarter in which our
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 7, 2023
The Canadian business sector output gap with the U.S. has been falling steadily since the mid-1980s: from 92 per cent of the U.S. level then to just more than 75 per cent now. Our productivity level is one of the lowest among advanced economies, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No greater threat to the Canadian dream today than our misguided complacency

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 7, 2023
  • Statistics Canada's recent data shows that productivity in the business sector fell in the second quarter, marking the fifth successive quarter in which our

No greater threat to the Canadian dream today than our misguided complacency

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 7, 2023
  • Statistics Canada's recent data shows that productivity in the business sector fell in the second quarter, marking the fifth successive quarter in which our
The Canadian business sector output gap with the U.S. has been falling steadily since the mid-1980s: from 92 per cent of the U.S. level then to just more than 75 per cent now. Our productivity level is one of the lowest among advanced economies, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Avoid the zombie thinking of major cuts to federal spending

  • The idea that massive tightening of monetary and fiscal policy will put us on the path to stronger growth is not well connected to the
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 4, 2023
The embrace of so-called 'friendshoring', of which Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is a fan, is a new form of protectionism, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Avoid the zombie thinking of major cuts to federal spending

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 4, 2023
  • The idea that massive tightening of monetary and fiscal policy will put us on the path to stronger growth is not well connected to the

Avoid the zombie thinking of major cuts to federal spending

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | September 4, 2023
  • The idea that massive tightening of monetary and fiscal policy will put us on the path to stronger growth is not well connected to the
The embrace of so-called 'friendshoring', of which Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is a fan, is a new form of protectionism, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s chance to be useful in a divided world

  • We can choose to be a leader for multilateralism, rather than serving as a junior partner for those who seek fragmentation.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 28, 2023
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly addresses the Global Heads of Mission Meeting in Ottawa in June. The time has come for Canada to return to its traditional role as a champion of multilateralism, effective global institutions, and global governance, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s chance to be useful in a divided world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 28, 2023
  • We can choose to be a leader for multilateralism, rather than serving as a junior partner for those who seek fragmentation.

Canada’s chance to be useful in a divided world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 28, 2023
  • We can choose to be a leader for multilateralism, rather than serving as a junior partner for those who seek fragmentation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly addresses the Global Heads of Mission Meeting in Ottawa in June. The time has come for Canada to return to its traditional role as a champion of multilateralism, effective global institutions, and global governance, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada cannot rely on a branch-plant strategy for the future

  • We have underinvested in intangible and tangible assets, been slow to recognize the implications of a digital world, and neglected the importance of building
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 21, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a 2020 announcement on the retooling of the Oakville, Ont. Ford assembly plant. The pursuit of electric vehicle assembly plants, battery plants and critical minerals is a prime example of the federal government’s branch plant mentality, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada cannot rely on a branch-plant strategy for the future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 21, 2023
  • We have underinvested in intangible and tangible assets, been slow to recognize the implications of a digital world, and neglected the importance of building

Canada cannot rely on a branch-plant strategy for the future

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 21, 2023
  • We have underinvested in intangible and tangible assets, been slow to recognize the implications of a digital world, and neglected the importance of building
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a 2020 announcement on the retooling of the Oakville, Ont. Ford assembly plant. The pursuit of electric vehicle assembly plants, battery plants and critical minerals is a prime example of the federal government’s branch plant mentality, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s been on easy street for too long

  • The International Monetary Fund presents a sobering outlook for Canada's economy over the next few years, warning us again that we need to become more
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 14, 2023
People crossing Metcalfe and Sparks streets in Ottawa on Aug. 9, 2023. A new paper by Peter Nicholson, one of Canada’s leading thinkers on innovation and productivity, outlines why we have such a poor record on business innovation, despite the skills and new knowledge breakthroughs by individual Canadians, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s been on easy street for too long

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 14, 2023
  • The International Monetary Fund presents a sobering outlook for Canada's economy over the next few years, warning us again that we need to become more

Canada’s been on easy street for too long

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 14, 2023
  • The International Monetary Fund presents a sobering outlook for Canada's economy over the next few years, warning us again that we need to become more
People crossing Metcalfe and Sparks streets in Ottawa on Aug. 9, 2023. A new paper by Peter Nicholson, one of Canada’s leading thinkers on innovation and productivity, outlines why we have such a poor record on business innovation, despite the skills and new knowledge breakthroughs by individual Canadians, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada facing harsh attacks from U.S. over next year’s digital services tax

  • With a deal unlikely anytime soon, delaying a possible digital sales tax deprives Canada of billions of dollars in much-needed tax revenues. It is
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 7, 2023
Treasury Board President Anita Anand, left, and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, at Rideau Hall on July 26, 2023. Freeland and the Trudeau government are under harsh attacks for not following American orders—in this case, our unilateral decision to proceed with a digital services tax next year, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada facing harsh attacks from U.S. over next year’s digital services tax

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 7, 2023
  • With a deal unlikely anytime soon, delaying a possible digital sales tax deprives Canada of billions of dollars in much-needed tax revenues. It is

Canada facing harsh attacks from U.S. over next year’s digital services tax

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | August 7, 2023
  • With a deal unlikely anytime soon, delaying a possible digital sales tax deprives Canada of billions of dollars in much-needed tax revenues. It is
Treasury Board President Anita Anand, left, and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, at Rideau Hall on July 26, 2023. Freeland and the Trudeau government are under harsh attacks for not following American orders—in this case, our unilateral decision to proceed with a digital services tax next year, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Solving the productivity puzzle is our most urgent challenge

  • Without better economic performance, we can't advance the Canadian dream of individual opportunity for advancement and an inclusive society of high-quality public services. In
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 31, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne tests out an F-35 fighter jet simulator at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on June 1, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Solving the productivity puzzle is our most urgent challenge

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 31, 2023
  • Without better economic performance, we can't advance the Canadian dream of individual opportunity for advancement and an inclusive society of high-quality public services. In

Solving the productivity puzzle is our most urgent challenge

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 31, 2023
  • Without better economic performance, we can't advance the Canadian dream of individual opportunity for advancement and an inclusive society of high-quality public services. In
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne tests out an F-35 fighter jet simulator at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa on June 1, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Dear government: don’t be pressured by the hype from natural gas producers and pipeline owners

  • While the resource industries are naturally frustrated by the challenges of government impact assessment hearings, there is no evidence Canada is undermining the energy
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 24, 2023
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. All Canadians have an interest in the setting of the national policy agenda, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Dear government: don’t be pressured by the hype from natural gas producers and pipeline owners

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 24, 2023
  • While the resource industries are naturally frustrated by the challenges of government impact assessment hearings, there is no evidence Canada is undermining the energy

Dear government: don’t be pressured by the hype from natural gas producers and pipeline owners

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 24, 2023
  • While the resource industries are naturally frustrated by the challenges of government impact assessment hearings, there is no evidence Canada is undermining the energy
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. All Canadians have an interest in the setting of the national policy agenda, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Promising prospects for Canada in global transition to new energy world

  • Despite our boasting, we're far from a world leader in the energy transition. We will have to push harder to do better. We have
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 17, 2023
Canada's Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, pictured June 15, 2023, on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Promising prospects for Canada in global transition to new energy world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 17, 2023
  • Despite our boasting, we're far from a world leader in the energy transition. We will have to push harder to do better. We have

Promising prospects for Canada in global transition to new energy world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 17, 2023
  • Despite our boasting, we're far from a world leader in the energy transition. We will have to push harder to do better. We have
Canada's Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, pictured June 15, 2023, on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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