The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives published a report showing that the country’s top 20 billionaires have amassed an average of nearly $2 billion each in wealth while millions of Canadians lost their jobs during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. “At the same time as billionaires like Loblaws owner Galen Weston have seen their wealth … Read more
The July 8 federal economic and fiscal snapshot revealed a $343 billion deficit funded at record low interest rates. “A deficit means the federal government shouldered the burden, rather than businesses and households,” said David Macdonald, CCPA senior economist. “Without spending on supports like the Canada Emergency Response benefit, it would have been households incurring this … Read more
In advance of Wednesday’s first federal fiscal update since December 2019, new analysis shows federal COVID-19 emergency response funding reduced the deficit faced by Canadian households by $203 billion. The analysis, by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Senior Economist David Macdonald, shows how substantial economic burden was shifted away from workers, students, families, seniors, and corporations, … Read more
According to a risk of workplace infection analysis by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Senior Economist David Macdonald, dental hygienists, flight attendants, hairstylists, barbers, child care providers, educational assistants, chefs and servers face similar risks as oil sands and meat packing workers, where dangerous outbreaks of COVID-19 have already occurred. “For women and low-wage workers in particular, their layoff … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives published a new analysis showing that despite recent tweaks to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit have expanded access to income supports during the COVID-19 crisis, remaining gaps in coverage mean there are 1.4 million jobless Canadians going without income support in April. “The largest group going without income support is due to … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives published a new analysis which shows 862,000 unemployed workers will receive nothing from either Employment Insurance or the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit. “If you were unemployed before COVID-19 hit, you get nothing from CERB, even though the prospects of finding work right now are virtually non-existent,” said David Macdonald, CCPA senior economist … Read more
New analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimates that the unemployment rate has likely already doubled or more due to COVID-19, with 2 million workers who have been laid off or are at immediate risk of layoff in Canada. “Wednesday’s announcement of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is a critical step towards supporting workers, and highlights … Read more
Facing highly volatile headwinds due to the combination of COVID-19, plummeting oil prices and the collapse of world financial markets, the Alternative Federal Budget released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives lays out a roadmap and fiscal plan to safeguard public health, support essential public services and tackle inequality that puts so many at increased … Read more
A briefing note released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) recommends critical changes to the federal employment insurance program that could be rapidly deployed in order support more vulnerable workers amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s a myth that most Canadians can telecommute to their jobs. The professions with the largest share of workers … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released a new report which found that Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs made 227 times more than the average worker made in 2018, surpassing all previous records. “Put another way, by 10:09 a.m. on January 2, the average top CEOs will have made as much money as the average Canadian worker … Read more
