Canadian Dimension
@canadiandimension.bsky.social
Canada's leading voice of the independent left since 1963 | Subscribe: http://bit.ly/sub2CD
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INTRODUCING THE CD ARCHIVE!
Canadian Dimension teamed up with the University of Manitoba Archives and Special Collections department to create this digital register of CD’s past issues, going all the way back to our 1963 inaugural edition.
👉👉🏻👉🏿 canadiandimension.com/archive
Canadian Dimension teamed up with the University of Manitoba Archives and Special Collections department to create this digital register of CD’s past issues, going all the way back to our 1963 inaugural edition.
👉👉🏻👉🏿 canadiandimension.com/archive
Doug Ford’s new housing law promises efficiency, but its real purpose is to clear the way for evictions and profits.
Leora Smith of Toronto's Community Justice Collective on why the "Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act" will protect financialized landlords, not tenants:
Leora Smith of Toronto's Community Justice Collective on why the "Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act" will protect financialized landlords, not tenants:
Landlords want your rent to go up. Doug Ford is making it happen
Ford may think that disappearing tenants and their unions from the LTB will disappear them from the city, but it won’t. Tenants and the growing tenant union movement in Ontario have been successfully ...
canadiandimension.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Doug Ford’s new housing law promises efficiency, but its real purpose is to clear the way for evictions and profits.
Leora Smith of Toronto's Community Justice Collective on why the "Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act" will protect financialized landlords, not tenants:
Leora Smith of Toronto's Community Justice Collective on why the "Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act" will protect financialized landlords, not tenants:
Doug Ford’s new housing bill has been sold as efficiency reform, yet it prioritizes landlords over tenants. Long-term renters will face faster evictions, fewer protections, and higher rents while corporate landlords consolidate even more control of an already deeply financialized market.
Landlords want your rent to go up. Doug Ford is making it happen
Ford may think that disappearing tenants and their unions from the LTB will disappear them from the city, but it won’t. Tenants and the growing tenant union movement in Ontario have been successfully ...
canadiandimension.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Doug Ford’s new housing bill has been sold as efficiency reform, yet it prioritizes landlords over tenants. Long-term renters will face faster evictions, fewer protections, and higher rents while corporate landlords consolidate even more control of an already deeply financialized market.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
My latest for @canadiandimension.bsky.social on how scapegoating immigrants for Canada's problems prevents us from finding real solutions to them. #cdnpoli #canada
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
The myth of the immigrant threat
Anti-immigrant sentiment is surging in Canada, with politicians and far-right pundits blaming newcomers for crises in housing, health care, and unemployment. But these problems stem from policy failur...
canadiandimension.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:08 AM
My latest for @canadiandimension.bsky.social on how scapegoating immigrants for Canada's problems prevents us from finding real solutions to them. #cdnpoli #canada
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
Scapegoating newcomers has become a convenient distraction from policy failure in Canada.
The myth of the immigrant threat
Anti-immigrant sentiment is surging in Canada, with politicians and far-right pundits blaming newcomers for crises in housing, health care, and unemployment. But these problems stem from policy failur...
canadiandimension.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Scapegoating newcomers has become a convenient distraction from policy failure in Canada.
We can have a sober national conversation about how much immigration is suitable to meet our social and economic goals. But scapegoating immigrants for the state of housing and health care obscures the real causes of these crises and stokes resentment against vulnerable members of our communities.
The myth of the immigrant threat
Anti-immigrant sentiment is surging in Canada, with politicians and pundits blaming newcomers for crises like housing, health care, and unemployment. But these problems stem from policy failure and in...
canadiandimension.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
We can have a sober national conversation about how much immigration is suitable to meet our social and economic goals. But scapegoating immigrants for the state of housing and health care obscures the real causes of these crises and stokes resentment against vulnerable members of our communities.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
« It’s tempting to believe that the performative panic of our politicos indicates some genuine issue with Canada’s finances,but Canada’s actual deficit is quite small in macroeconomic terms. Canada has reduced its deficit more rapidly than other OECD countries following the pandemic-related surge… »
Our politicians use the deficit as a rhetorical cudgel to keep their friends rich while pushing austerity on the rest of us.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:04 PM
« It’s tempting to believe that the performative panic of our politicos indicates some genuine issue with Canada’s finances,but Canada’s actual deficit is quite small in macroeconomic terms. Canada has reduced its deficit more rapidly than other OECD countries following the pandemic-related surge… »
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
This. We are not limited by our finances. We are limited by our resources and imagination. And we can increase our resources! Public investments in education, in training nurses, doctors, skilled labour, artists, engineers, and people with imaginations!
We can do it. We can start now.
We can do it. We can start now.
Canada’s debt is modest, self-financed, and stable. Yet we are told to accept austerity as the “responsible” path forward. Deficit panic is really a strategy to limit what’s politically imaginable—universal services, public housing, and climate action.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This. We are not limited by our finances. We are limited by our resources and imagination. And we can increase our resources! Public investments in education, in training nurses, doctors, skilled labour, artists, engineers, and people with imaginations!
We can do it. We can start now.
We can do it. We can start now.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
An excellent, clear-eyed assessment. ‘Austerity’ bites the wrong people in the ass. And if we really have a deficit problem, let’s marry austerity to tax increases for both people and corporations. We’ve had 60 years of rate reductions and it’s time to change direction a bit.
Canada’s debt is modest, self-financed, and stable. Yet we are told to accept austerity as the “responsible” path forward. Deficit panic is really a strategy to limit what’s politically imaginable—universal services, public housing, and climate action.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
An excellent, clear-eyed assessment. ‘Austerity’ bites the wrong people in the ass. And if we really have a deficit problem, let’s marry austerity to tax increases for both people and corporations. We’ve had 60 years of rate reductions and it’s time to change direction a bit.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
It's an extremely effective cudgel, because I'm not sure anything could convince my 80 year old dad that the deficit is not a dire emergency despite it having absolutely zero impact on him for his entire life so far.
The deficit’s primary function is political: it is a cudgel used to enforce unpopular policies and coerce the public into accepting a diminished quality of life in the name of private profit. We must stop mistaking this political strategy for economic necessity.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It's an extremely effective cudgel, because I'm not sure anything could convince my 80 year old dad that the deficit is not a dire emergency despite it having absolutely zero impact on him for his entire life so far.
The deficit’s primary function is political: it is a cudgel used to enforce unpopular policies and coerce the public into accepting a diminished quality of life in the name of private profit. We must stop mistaking this political strategy for economic necessity.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The deficit’s primary function is political: it is a cudgel used to enforce unpopular policies and coerce the public into accepting a diminished quality of life in the name of private profit. We must stop mistaking this political strategy for economic necessity.
Our politicians use the deficit as a rhetorical cudgel to keep their friends rich while pushing austerity on the rest of us.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our politicians use the deficit as a rhetorical cudgel to keep their friends rich while pushing austerity on the rest of us.
Canada’s debt is modest, self-financed, and stable. Yet we are told to accept austerity as the “responsible” path forward. Deficit panic is really a strategy to limit what’s politically imaginable—universal services, public housing, and climate action.
The deficit is not an economic problem—it’s a political weapon
Mark Carney’s new budget exposes how Canada’s political class weaponizes the deficit to protect elites and justify austerity. Despite alarmist rhetoric, Canada’s debt is modest and self-financed. The ...
canadiandimension.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Canada’s debt is modest, self-financed, and stable. Yet we are told to accept austerity as the “responsible” path forward. Deficit panic is really a strategy to limit what’s politically imaginable—universal services, public housing, and climate action.
In 1933, the CCF warned that private finance sacrifices the majority to profiteers. The Regina Manifesto, the party's founding policy document, called for public ownership of banks to serve society, not speculators. Today, its lessons are more relevant than ever.
The Regina Manifesto’s unfinished business: the case for public banking
Canada’s banks no longer serve the real economy. Decades of private lending have fuelled housing bubbles, record household debt, and economic instability. Revisiting the CCF’s Regina Manifesto, James ...
canadiandimension.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:42 PM
In 1933, the CCF warned that private finance sacrifices the majority to profiteers. The Regina Manifesto, the party's founding policy document, called for public ownership of banks to serve society, not speculators. Today, its lessons are more relevant than ever.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
Rather than insulating Canada from an increasingly unpredictable White House, Carney’s policies are reinforcing our alignment with the United States in military, economic, and foreign policy matters. As Owen Schalk writes, these choices will deepen dependence and weaken sovereignty.
Canada flying in lockstep with the United States
Promises of Canadian independence from US influence are unravelling as the Carney government moves forward with the costly F-35 fighter jet purchase. Amid rising global tensions and domestic crises, O...
canadiandimension.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Rather than insulating Canada from an increasingly unpredictable White House, Carney’s policies are reinforcing our alignment with the United States in military, economic, and foreign policy matters. As Owen Schalk writes, these choices will deepen dependence and weaken sovereignty.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
Canada’s deficit is projected to rise by $17B, yet ordinary folks face cuts to essential services while the ultra-rich and corporations avoid billions in taxes. Closing loopholes and taxing offshore wealth could fully fund health care, housing, and education—proving the crisis is a political choice.
A deficit paid by workers and a bailout for the wealthy
Canada’s deficit is projected to rise by $17 billion, yet ordinary Canadians face cuts to essential services while the ultra-wealthy and multinational corporations avoid billions in taxes. Closing loo...
canadiandimension.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Canada’s deficit is projected to rise by $17B, yet ordinary folks face cuts to essential services while the ultra-rich and corporations avoid billions in taxes. Closing loopholes and taxing offshore wealth could fully fund health care, housing, and education—proving the crisis is a political choice.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
"The govt’s approach to this deficit is deeply concerning....The wealthiest individuals and largest corporations stand to capture the lion’s share of any gains, leaving everyday Canadians—both now and in the future—to shoulder the cost." – @c4tf.bsky.social
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
A deficit paid by workers and a bailout for the wealthy
Canada’s deficit is projected to rise by $17 billion, yet ordinary Canadians face cuts to essential services while the ultra-wealthy and multinational corporations avoid billions in taxes. Closing loo...
canadiandimension.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
"The govt’s approach to this deficit is deeply concerning....The wealthiest individuals and largest corporations stand to capture the lion’s share of any gains, leaving everyday Canadians—both now and in the future—to shoulder the cost." – @c4tf.bsky.social
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
"The major threat to Canadian survival today is American control of the Canadian economy. The major issue of our times is not national unity but national survival, and the fundamental threat is external, not internal."
—Waffle Manifesto: For an Independent Socialist Canada, 1969
—Waffle Manifesto: For an Independent Socialist Canada, 1969
The Waffle Manifesto: For an Independent Socialist Canada
In 1969, a caucus of NDP members known as the Waffle organized to promote a socialist and nationalist agenda, which included the replacement of US private ownership of Canadian industry with Canadian ...
canadiandimension.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:18 PM
"The major threat to Canadian survival today is American control of the Canadian economy. The major issue of our times is not national unity but national survival, and the fundamental threat is external, not internal."
—Waffle Manifesto: For an Independent Socialist Canada, 1969
—Waffle Manifesto: For an Independent Socialist Canada, 1969
Canada has been suffering years of economic stagnation, deteriorating public services, and increasing popular distrust. Yet our government has decided that what we need to do is spend more money on defence—and not just more money, but a lot more money than what we are spending at present.
The empty case for Canada’s 5% defence pledge
The priorities of our political leaders can be very hard to understand. Western countries are suffering years of economic stagnation, deteriorating public services, and a host of other problems. Yet o...
canadiandimension.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Canada has been suffering years of economic stagnation, deteriorating public services, and increasing popular distrust. Yet our government has decided that what we need to do is spend more money on defence—and not just more money, but a lot more money than what we are spending at present.
Canadian corporations thrived in Qadhafi’s Libya, winning massive oil and construction contracts. But when Libya pushed back to nationalize its resources, Ottawa dropped the language of diplomacy and sided with business.
Read an excerpt from Owen Schalk's new book, TARGETING LIBYA:
Read an excerpt from Owen Schalk's new book, TARGETING LIBYA:
The nationalization threat that shook Canadian oil interests in Libya
In the late 2000s, Libya’s threats to nationalize foreign oil assets shook Canadian corporations deeply invested in the country. This excerpt from Owen Schalk’s new book, Targeting Libya, reveals how ...
canadiandimension.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Canadian corporations thrived in Qadhafi’s Libya, winning massive oil and construction contracts. But when Libya pushed back to nationalize its resources, Ottawa dropped the language of diplomacy and sided with business.
Read an excerpt from Owen Schalk's new book, TARGETING LIBYA:
Read an excerpt from Owen Schalk's new book, TARGETING LIBYA:
It is deeply concerning that Washington is preparing for war with Venezuela despite the absence of any evidence linking its leader to the drug trade. Canada must take immediate steps to ensure that its technologies and policies do not make it complicit in another unlawful US military campaign.
Is Canada complicit in Trump’s illegal war in Venezuela?
The Trump administration’s covert bombing campaign against alleged Venezuelan “narco-terrorists” has drawn scrutiny from legal experts and human rights observers. As evidence of cartel ties remains un...
canadiandimension.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It is deeply concerning that Washington is preparing for war with Venezuela despite the absence of any evidence linking its leader to the drug trade. Canada must take immediate steps to ensure that its technologies and policies do not make it complicit in another unlawful US military campaign.
Our governments have allowed the private sector to make a mess of our housing system. We know from our nation’s history that only strong non-market alternatives will restore affordability and get people into the homes they deserve.
Mark Carney is no wartime homebuilder
Over the past three decades our governments have once again walked away from direct housing provision and, for the third time in a century, allowed the private sector to make a mess of our housing sys...
canadiandimension.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Our governments have allowed the private sector to make a mess of our housing system. We know from our nation’s history that only strong non-market alternatives will restore affordability and get people into the homes they deserve.
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
A great pub day review of The A Word: A Global History of the Abortion Struggle in @canadiandimension.bsky.social. Such a joy to have had the chance worked on this amazing book.
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
A global reminder that the fight for abortion rights is far from over
The A Word is aptly named. I’m always struck by how, even in Canada, people still feel compelled to whisper when they talk about abortion. It’s a legal medical procedure—we don’t whisper about appende...
canadiandimension.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:33 PM
A great pub day review of The A Word: A Global History of the Abortion Struggle in @canadiandimension.bsky.social. Such a joy to have had the chance worked on this amazing book.
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
The goal of the “free trade” agreements was never to free trade. As big business stressed, what they really wanted was freedom for capital. Freedom of business organizations to invest in any country without government interference and the freedom to repatriate their profits as they so wished.
Free trade benefits Canada, eh?
The goal of the “free trade” agreements was never to free trade. As the organizations of big business all stressed, what they really wanted was freedom for capital. Freedom of business organizations t...
canadiandimension.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The goal of the “free trade” agreements was never to free trade. As big business stressed, what they really wanted was freedom for capital. Freedom of business organizations to invest in any country without government interference and the freedom to repatriate their profits as they so wished.
"We believe the alternative to a trade oriented economic strategy is self-reliance. Increasing Canada’s economic self-reliance is the key to self-determination politically, socially and culturally."
(First published in the September 1987 issue of CD)
(First published in the September 1987 issue of CD)
Building self-reliance: the alternative to free trade
In order to achieve self-reliance several complementary, integrated components must be pursued. At the centre is an industrial strategy, which should be accompanied by appropriate monetary policy, reg...
canadiandimension.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
"We believe the alternative to a trade oriented economic strategy is self-reliance. Increasing Canada’s economic self-reliance is the key to self-determination politically, socially and culturally."
(First published in the September 1987 issue of CD)
(First published in the September 1987 issue of CD)
Reposted by Canadian Dimension
C4TF’s Jared A. Walker & @silasxuereb.bsky.social in @canadiandimension.bsky.social on why a deficit shouldn’t be shouldered by workers and why the wealthy should foot the bill instead canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
A deficit paid by workers and a bailout for the wealthy
Canada’s deficit is projected to rise by $17 billion, yet ordinary Canadians face cuts to essential services while the ultra-wealthy and multinational corporations avoid billions in taxes. Closing loo...
canadiandimension.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
C4TF’s Jared A. Walker & @silasxuereb.bsky.social in @canadiandimension.bsky.social on why a deficit shouldn’t be shouldered by workers and why the wealthy should foot the bill instead canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...