Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Thursday, April 3, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Latest Paper

Read the latest Election 2025 stories

Thursday, April 3, 2025 | Latest Paper
Subscribe Now

TRENDING:

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
More Stories

Conservatives should seize the policy opportunity on climate change, but will they?

  • A party committed to dismantling much of what has been put in place—rather than improving what we have—is not a party that deserves to
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 10, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is within range to become our next prime minister should Canadians decide they're done Justin Trudeau, has so far had little to say on climate change, mainly engaging in angry attacks on the Liberal government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives should seize the policy opportunity on climate change, but will they?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 10, 2023
  • A party committed to dismantling much of what has been put in place—rather than improving what we have—is not a party that deserves to

Conservatives should seize the policy opportunity on climate change, but will they?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 10, 2023
  • A party committed to dismantling much of what has been put in place—rather than improving what we have—is not a party that deserves to
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is within range to become our next prime minister should Canadians decide they're done Justin Trudeau, has so far had little to say on climate change, mainly engaging in angry attacks on the Liberal government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada should be aspiring to be more than a branch-plant economy

  • If we want a more independent Canada, we have to build the talent, own the tech, and grow firms so wealth is created here
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 3, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured June 1, 2023, speaking at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa. Can the government focus on building a Canadian-owned and headquartered corporate community that has the scale, talent, and intellectual property to make us a serious player, asks David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada should be aspiring to be more than a branch-plant economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 3, 2023
  • If we want a more independent Canada, we have to build the talent, own the tech, and grow firms so wealth is created here

Canada should be aspiring to be more than a branch-plant economy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | July 3, 2023
  • If we want a more independent Canada, we have to build the talent, own the tech, and grow firms so wealth is created here
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured June 1, 2023, speaking at the CANSEC trade show in Ottawa. Can the government focus on building a Canadian-owned and headquartered corporate community that has the scale, talent, and intellectual property to make us a serious player, asks David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Parliament matter anymore?

  • Politics is in bad shape. Without real reform, Canada will become more difficult to govern, and we'll pay the price. Is there not a
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 26, 2023
As economic commentator Martin Wolf, writes in his book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, there is an urgent need to restore a sense of citizenship: 'This is the tie that binds people together in a free and democratic society,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Parliament matter anymore?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 26, 2023
  • Politics is in bad shape. Without real reform, Canada will become more difficult to govern, and we'll pay the price. Is there not a

Does Parliament matter anymore?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 26, 2023
  • Politics is in bad shape. Without real reform, Canada will become more difficult to govern, and we'll pay the price. Is there not a
As economic commentator Martin Wolf, writes in his book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, there is an urgent need to restore a sense of citizenship: 'This is the tie that binds people together in a free and democratic society,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada better start playing the long game, now

  • We need an economic council of some of our best minds who can, with the future in mind, analyze policy issues, better frame public understanding
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 19, 2023
Even though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has committed much more public funding for business investment to generate more investment, Canada may 'still lag global peers, fall behind in global competitiveness, and experience a slow erosion of living standards,' Bennett Jones' recent economic outlook warns. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada better start playing the long game, now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 19, 2023
  • We need an economic council of some of our best minds who can, with the future in mind, analyze policy issues, better frame public understanding

Canada better start playing the long game, now

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 19, 2023
  • We need an economic council of some of our best minds who can, with the future in mind, analyze policy issues, better frame public understanding
Even though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has committed much more public funding for business investment to generate more investment, Canada may 'still lag global peers, fall behind in global competitiveness, and experience a slow erosion of living standards,' Bennett Jones' recent economic outlook warns. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s not broken, but it can do much better

  • Canada needs to create an economic council that brings together our best minds in non-partisan work for a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future. Canada
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 12, 2023
Many things work well in our country, thought many setbacks and failures can also be found. It’s not that Canada is broken, but it’s that we can and must do better. The most important place to start is with our economic performance, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s not broken, but it can do much better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 12, 2023
  • Canada needs to create an economic council that brings together our best minds in non-partisan work for a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future. Canada

Canada’s not broken, but it can do much better

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 12, 2023
  • Canada needs to create an economic council that brings together our best minds in non-partisan work for a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable future. Canada
Many things work well in our country, thought many setbacks and failures can also be found. It’s not that Canada is broken, but it’s that we can and must do better. The most important place to start is with our economic performance, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Where is the sense of national ambition to seize and build on new opportunities today?

  • Four major Canadian-owned and headquartered corporations today all originated as Crown corporations. Our major electric power utilities are other examples of public policy pursuing major
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 5, 2023
A turbo train in original CN livery, before VIA Rail took over the passenger service, seen in Calgary in 1975. Four of our country’s major Canadian-owned and Canadian headquartered corporations today—Potash Corp., Cameco, Air Canada, and CN Rail—all originated as Crown corporations, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Where is the sense of national ambition to seize and build on new opportunities today?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 5, 2023
  • Four major Canadian-owned and headquartered corporations today all originated as Crown corporations. Our major electric power utilities are other examples of public policy pursuing major

Where is the sense of national ambition to seize and build on new opportunities today?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 5, 2023
  • Four major Canadian-owned and headquartered corporations today all originated as Crown corporations. Our major electric power utilities are other examples of public policy pursuing major
A turbo train in original CN livery, before VIA Rail took over the passenger service, seen in Calgary in 1975. Four of our country’s major Canadian-owned and Canadian headquartered corporations today—Potash Corp., Cameco, Air Canada, and CN Rail—all originated as Crown corporations, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

G7 must adjust to the reality of a multipolar world

  • If, as Canadians, we want to make a serious contribution to a better world, rather than sounding like an echo for U.S. interests, our
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 29, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The recent G7 summit was based on the false assumption that the West, led by the U.S., can set the rules for the rest of the world, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

G7 must adjust to the reality of a multipolar world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 29, 2023
  • If, as Canadians, we want to make a serious contribution to a better world, rather than sounding like an echo for U.S. interests, our

G7 must adjust to the reality of a multipolar world

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 29, 2023
  • If, as Canadians, we want to make a serious contribution to a better world, rather than sounding like an echo for U.S. interests, our
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The recent G7 summit was based on the false assumption that the West, led by the U.S., can set the rules for the rest of the world, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Copyright is king in the battle for Canadian content

  • It is through their ownership of intellectual property that Canadians companies can prosper, grow, and take risks while funding new opportunities. 
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 22, 2023
Jean Yoon, left, of 'Kim's Convenience' and Kevin Hanchard of 'Orphan Black' at a Canada Media Fund event in 2017. Canadian content rules and fiscal incentives have worked, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Copyright is king in the battle for Canadian content

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 22, 2023
  • It is through their ownership of intellectual property that Canadians companies can prosper, grow, and take risks while funding new opportunities. 

Copyright is king in the battle for Canadian content

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 22, 2023
  • It is through their ownership of intellectual property that Canadians companies can prosper, grow, and take risks while funding new opportunities. 
Jean Yoon, left, of 'Kim's Convenience' and Kevin Hanchard of 'Orphan Black' at a Canada Media Fund event in 2017. Canadian content rules and fiscal incentives have worked, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We say Canada is open for business, but the reality is that our country is for sale

  • The Trudeau government is pushing for a branch-plant economy with key business decisions for our economic future made elsewhere, while the wealth generated from these
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 11, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a Hill scrum, introduced Bill C-34 which proposes to revise the Investment Canada Act. The House Industry Committee's study of the bill offers MPs the chance to propose broader changes to address Canada's economic security, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We say Canada is open for business, but the reality is that our country is for sale

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 11, 2023
  • The Trudeau government is pushing for a branch-plant economy with key business decisions for our economic future made elsewhere, while the wealth generated from these

We say Canada is open for business, but the reality is that our country is for sale

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 11, 2023
  • The Trudeau government is pushing for a branch-plant economy with key business decisions for our economic future made elsewhere, while the wealth generated from these
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured in a Hill scrum, introduced Bill C-34 which proposes to revise the Investment Canada Act. The House Industry Committee's study of the bill offers MPs the chance to propose broader changes to address Canada's economic security, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Investment Canada not serving the country’s best interests

  • There are two big issues here: Investment Canada's lack of transparency, and the loss of young domestic firms scooped up by foreign multinationals thanks
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 8, 2023
The committee will meet to discuss amendments to the Industry Canada Act proposed by Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne aimed primarily at curtailing China's investment in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Investment Canada not serving the country’s best interests

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 8, 2023
  • There are two big issues here: Investment Canada's lack of transparency, and the loss of young domestic firms scooped up by foreign multinationals thanks

Investment Canada not serving the country’s best interests

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 8, 2023
  • There are two big issues here: Investment Canada's lack of transparency, and the loss of young domestic firms scooped up by foreign multinationals thanks
The committee will meet to discuss amendments to the Industry Canada Act proposed by Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne aimed primarily at curtailing China's investment in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s over-dependence on foreign investment is a problem

  • Ownership does matter. If so many of our corporate head offices are in other countries, then that's where Canada’s economic future will be decided.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 1, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Hill scrum on April 25, 2023. The federal government is pursuing a role for Canada in electric vehicles, batteries and critical minerals, and is spending billions of dollars on foreign corporations in pursuit of investment. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s over-dependence on foreign investment is a problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 1, 2023
  • Ownership does matter. If so many of our corporate head offices are in other countries, then that's where Canada’s economic future will be decided.

Canada’s over-dependence on foreign investment is a problem

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 1, 2023
  • Ownership does matter. If so many of our corporate head offices are in other countries, then that's where Canada’s economic future will be decided.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Hill scrum on April 25, 2023. The federal government is pursuing a role for Canada in electric vehicles, batteries and critical minerals, and is spending billions of dollars on foreign corporations in pursuit of investment. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian ownership is critical if we are to prosper from minerals strategy

  • Some degree of long-term public equity may be the only answer if we want to ensure that a reasonable share of our mining sector
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2023
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson described critical minerals as presenting a 'generational opportunity for Canada.' But Canadian ownership will be necessary if we want to retain some of the profitable wealth from our own natural resources, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade.

Canadian ownership is critical if we are to prosper from minerals strategy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2023
  • Some degree of long-term public equity may be the only answer if we want to ensure that a reasonable share of our mining sector

Canadian ownership is critical if we are to prosper from minerals strategy

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2023
  • Some degree of long-term public equity may be the only answer if we want to ensure that a reasonable share of our mining sector
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson described critical minerals as presenting a 'generational opportunity for Canada.' But Canadian ownership will be necessary if we want to retain some of the profitable wealth from our own natural resources, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade.

There will be huge economic consequences of a world divided into competing blocs

  • We shouldn't have to wait for another global crisis to halt this geo-economic march to folly. But that seems to be our fate in
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 13, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 24, 2023. The U.S.-led geo-economic war against China poses huge risks to the future world economy and its ability to prevent or to deal with future crises. Sadly, Canada is part of this zero-sum U.S. crusade to fragment the global system, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

There will be huge economic consequences of a world divided into competing blocs

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 13, 2023
  • We shouldn't have to wait for another global crisis to halt this geo-economic march to folly. But that seems to be our fate in

There will be huge economic consequences of a world divided into competing blocs

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 13, 2023
  • We shouldn't have to wait for another global crisis to halt this geo-economic march to folly. But that seems to be our fate in
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 24, 2023. The U.S.-led geo-economic war against China poses huge risks to the future world economy and its ability to prevent or to deal with future crises. Sadly, Canada is part of this zero-sum U.S. crusade to fragment the global system, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Budget does little to support Canada’s self-proclaimed global leadership

  • While we are a supportive player, there is scant evidence that we really are the major player we see in our self-image. What we
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 10, 2023
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, has set a diplomatic tone which seems openly hostile to a re-engagement with China and intended mainly to please the U.S., writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Budget does little to support Canada’s self-proclaimed global leadership

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 10, 2023
  • While we are a supportive player, there is scant evidence that we really are the major player we see in our self-image. What we

Budget does little to support Canada’s self-proclaimed global leadership

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 10, 2023
  • While we are a supportive player, there is scant evidence that we really are the major player we see in our self-image. What we
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, has set a diplomatic tone which seems openly hostile to a re-engagement with China and intended mainly to please the U.S., writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland promises Canada will ‘build big things here,’ but will we really?

  • Who actually will own the new, big things to be built in Canada? Whose big new ideas will be used? Who will profit from the big,
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured March 28, 2023, doing a press conference inside the budget lockup for the media. Not surprisingly, this year's federal budget fails to show how its massive new supports for corporations will improve Canada’s overall economic growth prospects, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Freeland promises Canada will ‘build big things here,’ but will we really?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2023
  • Who actually will own the new, big things to be built in Canada? Whose big new ideas will be used? Who will profit from the big,

Freeland promises Canada will ‘build big things here,’ but will we really?

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2023
  • Who actually will own the new, big things to be built in Canada? Whose big new ideas will be used? Who will profit from the big,
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured March 28, 2023, doing a press conference inside the budget lockup for the media. Not surprisingly, this year's federal budget fails to show how its massive new supports for corporations will improve Canada’s overall economic growth prospects, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Humanity has reached a critical moment in history

  • The latest IPCC report warns: 'In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 27, 2023
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. Now comes a truly serious warning from the world’s top climate scientists that we are at a critical point where it may be impossible to avert catastrophic climate change, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Humanity has reached a critical moment in history

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 27, 2023
  • The latest IPCC report warns: 'In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation

Humanity has reached a critical moment in history

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 27, 2023
  • The latest IPCC report warns: 'In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. Now comes a truly serious warning from the world’s top climate scientists that we are at a critical point where it may be impossible to avert catastrophic climate change, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What the world needs now is multilateral reform

  • Chrystia Freeland should pay attention to the warnings of Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and now Australian ambassador to the United States. 'We have
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 20, 2023
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured in a Hill scrum. In her much-publicized Washington speech on Oct. 11, 2022, she endorsed the misguided and dangerous American policy that would divide the world into competing blocs—democracies versus autocracies—as the organizing system for the future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What the world needs now is multilateral reform

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 20, 2023
  • Chrystia Freeland should pay attention to the warnings of Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and now Australian ambassador to the United States. 'We have

What the world needs now is multilateral reform

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 20, 2023
  • Chrystia Freeland should pay attention to the warnings of Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and now Australian ambassador to the United States. 'We have
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured in a Hill scrum. In her much-publicized Washington speech on Oct. 11, 2022, she endorsed the misguided and dangerous American policy that would divide the world into competing blocs—democracies versus autocracies—as the organizing system for the future, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada talks a big game, but its innovation sector doesn’t walk the talk

  • Federal policy, which is more transactional than strategic, is turning Canada into a branch plant economy—a derivative economy in which we help foreign corporations
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 13, 2023
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is jetting around the world, with his multi-billion-dollar subsidy cheque-book, paying multinationals to create jobs in Canada, or paying them not to leave, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada talks a big game, but its innovation sector doesn’t walk the talk

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 13, 2023
  • Federal policy, which is more transactional than strategic, is turning Canada into a branch plant economy—a derivative economy in which we help foreign corporations

Canada talks a big game, but its innovation sector doesn’t walk the talk

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 13, 2023
  • Federal policy, which is more transactional than strategic, is turning Canada into a branch plant economy—a derivative economy in which we help foreign corporations
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne is jetting around the world, with his multi-billion-dollar subsidy cheque-book, paying multinationals to create jobs in Canada, or paying them not to leave, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Freeland’s next budget has to be an honest one

  • This cannot be another lost opportunity, because Canada can’t really afford that. Our future is at stake.
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 6, 2023
In the 2023 federal budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland needs to deliver an honest budget, one that is up front with Canadians on the challenges we face and fully transparent on the state of the nation’s finances. An honest budget would also acknowledge that we will need to raise taxes, and soon, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Freeland’s next budget has to be an honest one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 6, 2023
  • This cannot be another lost opportunity, because Canada can’t really afford that. Our future is at stake.

Why Freeland’s next budget has to be an honest one

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 6, 2023
  • This cannot be another lost opportunity, because Canada can’t really afford that. Our future is at stake.
In the 2023 federal budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland needs to deliver an honest budget, one that is up front with Canadians on the challenges we face and fully transparent on the state of the nation’s finances. An honest budget would also acknowledge that we will need to raise taxes, and soon, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada Innovation Corporation’s been a long time coming, but there’s ample room for skepticism

  • The CIC may bring some small economic improvement. But we need a much better picture of what the future needs than Ottawa is currently offering, or
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 27, 2023
Do we really know much more about what the Canada Innovation Corporation is expected to do than when it was first promised in Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2022 federal budget now that we have been presented with a 'blueprint' for the new agency? Not really. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada Innovation Corporation’s been a long time coming, but there’s ample room for skepticism

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 27, 2023
  • The CIC may bring some small economic improvement. But we need a much better picture of what the future needs than Ottawa is currently offering, or

Canada Innovation Corporation’s been a long time coming, but there’s ample room for skepticism

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 27, 2023
  • The CIC may bring some small economic improvement. But we need a much better picture of what the future needs than Ottawa is currently offering, or
Do we really know much more about what the Canada Innovation Corporation is expected to do than when it was first promised in Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2022 federal budget now that we have been presented with a 'blueprint' for the new agency? Not really. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Follow us

Advertise

get help

Subscribe
CloseMenu