The shocking rise of identity politics has shattered social unity, which seems to be unraveling like a cheap carpet. And that led to self-centred white identity
Jesus said it first but Abraham Lincoln said it best: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We live in divisive times, with multiple challenges. But the greatest threat to our civilization is not climate change (as damaging as that may be), nor is it growing inequality or reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The astonishing divide…
Canadians are concerned about jobs and the rising costs of combating climate change, not vague platitudes
“Hey buddy, your ‘sunny days’ Justin pal is looking pretty rough these days. I'm thinking we could see the Conservatives back in power come October.” My heart sank. I knew I was in for another heated dispute with my old friend Charlie, a diehard conservative if ever there was one. “First,” I replied, “Trudeau's not…
The digital economy is underpinned by a new class of non-physical assets. Why aren’t we investing in them?
Canada is in danger of becoming a tenant nation, according to a recent Public Policy Forum report written by Sean Speer and Robert Asselin. Speer and Asselin describe a post-industrial Canada falling into a modern form of dependency where, although we generate world-class innovation, we lack essential infrastructure and/or skills to commercialize it. We’re simply…
The Liberal caucus has shown again that it values blind obedience over principle and that it puts party before country
They're gone! The caucus of the Liberal Party of Canada has officially expelled Jody Wilson-Raybould, former minister of Justice and attorney general, and Jane Philpott, former president of the Treasury Board. These one-time party stars have been forced from the governing party and won’t be allowed to run as Liberals in the upcoming federal election.…
In this new religion, heroes speak the truth and model the behaviours, values and norms of an increasingly diverse society
The movie Captain Marvel is a stunning box office success. Finally, it seems, an historic wrong has been arrested. Females have broken the male hegemony on physical violence and taken their rightful place in the annals of warrior gods. Females aren’t the only new members of this celebrated superhero club. There’s Black Panther, Moon Girl,…
Canada’s entrepreneurs cannot compete against global competition with one hand tied behind their backs
Some of my biggest battles in business have been with accountants. They seem to take great pleasure in playing Dr. No. No you can’t capitalize intangible assets, no you can’t use enterprise valuations, no you can’t, no you can’t, no you can’t! Until I met Joseph Batty, I had no idea that accountants were like…
The former prime minister's "vision" of Canada created the culture of entitlement and corruption in Quebec that has led to the SNC-Lavalin scandal
The SNC-Lavalin affair has become a nightmare for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But more importantly, it signals the beginning of the end for a Canada designed and built by his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau. It seems Justin Trudeau attempted to bully his minister of Justice into helping SNC-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution. By doing…
Technology entrepreneurs are locked behind bars of asset ignorance
Everybody has a story or two about an exciting new technology that was going to change the world; but was never heard from again. What happens to these great ideas? It’s all very puzzling. But, it does raise a serious question: what’s wrong with Canada’s tech sector? Is there a structural flaw? The short answer…
They could start by formalizing the treatment of intangibles so (some of them) can be collateralized for banking purposes
A survey of SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) I once read laid bare the hard facts about running a technology-related business in Canada. On the upside, the ingredients for growth for SMEs were easily identified; they include better access to management, planning, marketing, manpower and product development. What was surprising, perhaps, was the realization…
No other global civilization has been as deliberate and inclusive about progress as modern western civilization
Progressive liberals of a certain frame of mind suggest that white people are guilty. They’re the systemic oppressors of indigenous cultures, minorities and people of colour. Modern western society also stands accused of abusing the environment and of being unrelentingly sexist, racist and elitist. Or is western civilization the crucible of progress, the liberator of…
They need to reinvent the capitalist system to fully unleash that creativity and establish an economy that’s more just and balanced
If you dare to ask, young people today will tell you their generation is screwed. Why? Because they were told, “Be creative, get an education and you can be whatever you want to be.” Oops, wrong! Struggle through a creative career and it's almost impossible to buy a home or escape from student-loan hell. In…
We’ve allowed market forces to replace a host of political-economic goals and considerations, and we’re far worse for it
Pax Americana, the long-standing U.S.-inspired post-war world order, is unravelling like a cheap carpet. Apart from catastrophes like Venezuela, Britain's chaotic retreat from the European Union, or the threat from President Donald Trump to pull the United States out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, there’s the shocking rise of anti-western authoritarian regimes in Iran,…
Milton Friedman was wrong. Paying attention to other stakeholder interests is not a diversion, it's management's job
The National Post's Terence Corcoran is a celebrated champion of free markets. In his latest post, “Milton Friedman is right, profit is a company's only purpose,” he champions one of the most controversial principles in global capitalism. Corcoran's primary fear is that “a long list of academics, consultants, business leaders and politicians – many of…
As a backdrop to the disheartening anti-immigration rhetoric, let’s reflect on the enormous contribution of newcomers to Canada
Having observed the jarring debates over immigrants in Brexit Britain and border walls in the United States, I found myself reflecting on how differently Canadians are responding to their own border crisis. Is there a crisis? It depends who you talk to, but yes, even Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledges there's a difficulty, particularly…
It’s time to give individuals personal ownership of their data and, in essence, an equity stake in the new means of production
Canadians turning their gaze south are becoming increasingly concerned that the United States is descending into anarchy and despotism. Apart from the chaotic White House, the dysfunctional Congress and the astronomical public debt, American society is becoming dangerously divided as powerful forces continue their relentless concentrations of wealth and power. This is a far cry…
Jesus said it first but Abraham Lincoln said it best: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We live in divisive times, with multiple challenges. But the greatest threat to our civilization is not climate change (as damaging as that may be), nor is it growing inequality or reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The astonishing divide…
