There was a time when borders were wide open for people and much more restricted to capital flowing in or out of countries. Only toward the end of the 20th century did it change when significant controls were enacted to restrict people’s ability to cross borders while money could flow freely. For centuries, nation-states could…
Making gold dust out of viaducts
No. 1 issue on City Council’s agenda over the past few months has been the removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. Last week this issue was finally put to a vote. With 5 in favour and 4 against, Council decided to remove them. At first blush, Council’s decision would appear to be the right…
High time for electoral reform
Election night saw a bunch of my friends, my partner Penny, and I all gathered at our house with munchies and a big screen TV to watch the action. Before the results even began to trickle in I was predicting a Liberal victory. I don’t take much credit for my prognostication abilities, however, as all…
Are we still in Canada? Or a banana republic?
We’ve all been hearing a lot of disconcerting stories in the last few days about the problems voters have been experiencing at advance polls for the federal election. We also know that, generally speaking, increased voter turnout is bad for incumbent governments. In other words, there’s a very high correlation between high voter turnout and…
The only national housing strategy stands firmly on Green ground
The federal election is now down to the wire. It is time for those of us who have not yet made up our minds on who to vote for to focus on the issues that are the most important to us. We need to take a look at where the parties stand on these issues….
Penny Ballem: Vision Vancouver’s “Fall gal”
Once again, this time at cost to you and I of over half million dollars, Mayor Gregor Robertson and his Vision Vancouver majority have missed the point. Let me explain. There is no disputing the fact that Dr. Penny Ballem is an incredibly capable city manager, perhaps one of the most competent in the city’s…
Letter to the Editor – Ballem: the “fall gal” for Vision Vancouver
My Letter to the Editor was published in September 21st’s Vancouver Sun. Ballem a scapegoat Re: Ousted city manager a ‘force of nature,’ Sept. 16 Once again, this time at cost to you and I of more than $500,000, Mayor Gregor Robertson and his Vision Vancouver majority have missed the point. There’s no disputing that…