Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
@jbroschek.bsky.social
Political Science Prof and Laurier Research Chair | Federalism/Multilevel Governance | Political Economy | (Active) Transportation and Infrastructure Policy | Kitchener/Waterloo Region
More at https://tinyurl.com/4pzjpykm
More at https://tinyurl.com/4pzjpykm
Pinned
Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
@jbroschek.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Hello!
My research compares how governments address major policy challenges that cut across jurisdictions - from the local to the supranational level.
I currently work on
• trade + industrial policy
• transportation infrastructure policy
• local democratic governance
Recent op-ed contributions ⬇️
My research compares how governments address major policy challenges that cut across jurisdictions - from the local to the supranational level.
I currently work on
• trade + industrial policy
• transportation infrastructure policy
• local democratic governance
Recent op-ed contributions ⬇️
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
🇪🇺President von der Leyen has just posted this very vague statement, linking to the Commission statement.
If you just read her statement, you'd have no idea that anything serious has just happened with the US. As usual, she will not mention the US or Trump by name for criticism.
If you just read her statement, you'd have no idea that anything serious has just happened with the US. As usual, she will not mention the US or Trump by name for criticism.
Freedom of speech is the foundation of our strong and vibrant European democracy.
We are proud of it. We will protect it.
Because the @ec.europa.eu is the guardian of our values.
We are proud of it. We will protect it.
Because the @ec.europa.eu is the guardian of our values.
We strongly condemn the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on five European individuals, including former Commissioner Thierry Breton.
Link to full statement: link.europa.eu/NtMX4K
Link to full statement: link.europa.eu/NtMX4K
December 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
🇪🇺President von der Leyen has just posted this very vague statement, linking to the Commission statement.
If you just read her statement, you'd have no idea that anything serious has just happened with the US. As usual, she will not mention the US or Trump by name for criticism.
If you just read her statement, you'd have no idea that anything serious has just happened with the US. As usual, she will not mention the US or Trump by name for criticism.
The problem is: We live in a post-post-Westphalian order where some hegemonic actors seek to re-define the terms of sovereignty.
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark – a sovereign nation.
Venezuela is a sovereign nation.
Panama is a sovereign nation.
Canada is a sovereign nation.
Mexico is a sovereign nation.
Ukraine is a sovereign nation.
Venezuela is a sovereign nation.
Panama is a sovereign nation.
Canada is a sovereign nation.
Mexico is a sovereign nation.
Ukraine is a sovereign nation.
December 24, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The problem is: We live in a post-post-Westphalian order where some hegemonic actors seek to re-define the terms of sovereignty.
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Crucial point is that Europe does have retaliatory options against coercive action by the Trump administration. And *not* using those options is just as much of a choice - just as much of a signal - as using them.
agendapublica.es/noticia/2047...
agendapublica.es/noticia/2047...
Against Donald Trump, a Europe that abandons its illusions and wields its coercive power
For Jeremy Cliffe, editorial director at the ECFR think tank, the administration’s National Security Strategy confirms that both Europe and Washington misunderstand their relationship. In his analysis...
agendapublica.es
December 23, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Crucial point is that Europe does have retaliatory options against coercive action by the Trump administration. And *not* using those options is just as much of a choice - just as much of a signal - as using them.
agendapublica.es/noticia/2047...
agendapublica.es/noticia/2047...
Mario Draghi has the same professional background as Mark Carney and Tim Hodgson.
Their respective understanding of the importance of policy, governance and the institutions that support robust policy-making, however, differs profoundly.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Their respective understanding of the importance of policy, governance and the institutions that support robust policy-making, however, differs profoundly.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Meet Tim Hodgson, the unconventional Energy Minister with a Bay Street eye for deals
Companies seeking government funding or fast-tracking must make their case to the blunt former investment banker, who has little interest in partisanship or policy debates
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Mario Draghi has the same professional background as Mark Carney and Tim Hodgson.
Their respective understanding of the importance of policy, governance and the institutions that support robust policy-making, however, differs profoundly.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Their respective understanding of the importance of policy, governance and the institutions that support robust policy-making, however, differs profoundly.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Dad, I had another close call on my way to school today:
"There were 2,808 collisions on smaller, slower streets under city jurisdiction between 2018 and 2024. That’s an average of 560 collisions per year, excluding 2020 and 2021"
And excluding Kitchener.
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
"There were 2,808 collisions on smaller, slower streets under city jurisdiction between 2018 and 2024. That’s an average of 560 collisions per year, excluding 2020 and 2021"
And excluding Kitchener.
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
Collisions are falling on smaller Waterloo streets, but traffic hot spots remain
Barred from using speed cameras, city hall is looking at other ways to calm traffic in 2026
www.therecord.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Dad, I had another close call on my way to school today:
"There were 2,808 collisions on smaller, slower streets under city jurisdiction between 2018 and 2024. That’s an average of 560 collisions per year, excluding 2020 and 2021"
And excluding Kitchener.
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
"There were 2,808 collisions on smaller, slower streets under city jurisdiction between 2018 and 2024. That’s an average of 560 collisions per year, excluding 2020 and 2021"
And excluding Kitchener.
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
"The theme through these years was that change was too risky.(....) Many Canadian cities study ideas to death before implementing them. And even then there’s a reluctance to declare success."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: Cities need to overcome the fear of the first step in change
Critics will always claim the sky is about to fall. Those predictions too often get in the way of reforms
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
"The theme through these years was that change was too risky.(....) Many Canadian cities study ideas to death before implementing them. And even then there’s a reluctance to declare success."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
For decades, concerns about the erosion of state sovereignty have primarily been related to the implications of voluntary authority transfers to supranational or international institutions such as the EU or the WTO.
What a profound shift within a comparatively short historical time frame.
What a profound shift within a comparatively short historical time frame.
Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union, and one in which we seek to work with allies and partners.
Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.
Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.
December 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
For decades, concerns about the erosion of state sovereignty have primarily been related to the implications of voluntary authority transfers to supranational or international institutions such as the EU or the WTO.
What a profound shift within a comparatively short historical time frame.
What a profound shift within a comparatively short historical time frame.
Maybe divisions persist because there is no process in place that would facilitate a public (and intergovernmental) discourse on nation-building in the first place?
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Divisions persist, but Canadians are forming a broad consensus on the need for nation-building
Greater independence from the U.S. is a desire shared by a majority of the population
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Maybe divisions persist because there is no process in place that would facilitate a public (and intergovernmental) discourse on nation-building in the first place?
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
The problem is that you don't get more coherent, long-term policy outcomes by replacing the old approach with the politics of deal-making.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
December 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The problem is that you don't get more coherent, long-term policy outcomes by replacing the old approach with the politics of deal-making.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
It’s a bit too late, but a deeper understanding is finally emerging of the person Canadians hired to be Prime Minister. Basically a free market true believer, despite evidence that his previous efforts to use market forces to address climate change didn’t work. Worth a read.
Gift link below.
Gift link below.
Mark Carney’s journey from climate ‘visionary’ to pipeline promoter
Environmentalists believed the former Bank of Canada governor was a true believer in the need for the world to move away from fossil fuels. Then he became prime minister.
www.thestar.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
It’s a bit too late, but a deeper understanding is finally emerging of the person Canadians hired to be Prime Minister. Basically a free market true believer, despite evidence that his previous efforts to use market forces to address climate change didn’t work. Worth a read.
Gift link below.
Gift link below.
An excellent article here:
"More to the point, they are likely to try and fool Canadians and our federal and provincial governments into taking actions that serve American influence by reframing those actions through the lens of Canadian patriotism."
"More to the point, they are likely to try and fool Canadians and our federal and provincial governments into taking actions that serve American influence by reframing those actions through the lens of Canadian patriotism."
today's essential read for all Canadians
energymixweekender.substack.com/p/how-donald...
energymixweekender.substack.com/p/how-donald...
How Donald Trump Will Come After Canada Next: With Corporate Lobbyists
Trump aims to leverage private sector power over other nations, especially through the tech and oil and gas sectors that are at the centre of Canada's "nation-building" strategy. What could go wrong?
energymixweekender.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
An excellent article here:
"More to the point, they are likely to try and fool Canadians and our federal and provincial governments into taking actions that serve American influence by reframing those actions through the lens of Canadian patriotism."
"More to the point, they are likely to try and fool Canadians and our federal and provincial governments into taking actions that serve American influence by reframing those actions through the lens of Canadian patriotism."
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
'The price of solar panel systems for balconies has halved in the last two years, with small models available from around €200 ($233) and large ones that include storage costing under €1,000 ($1166). In Germany, they generate electricity for less than half the cost of electricity from the grid'
"The rapidly falling cost of solar power and battery storage is a major climate success story of recent years, helping renewables overtake coal for the first time in global electricity generation in 2025."
www.dw.com/en/boom-smal...
www.dw.com/en/boom-smal...
Cheaper, cleaner energy drives Germany's balcony-solar boom – DW – 12/18/2025
The home-fitted renewable-energy sources are inexpensive and easy to install, and reduce electricity costs. Here's what can be learned from their surging popularity in Germany.
www.dw.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:01 AM
'The price of solar panel systems for balconies has halved in the last two years, with small models available from around €200 ($233) and large ones that include storage costing under €1,000 ($1166). In Germany, they generate electricity for less than half the cost of electricity from the grid'
"The rapidly falling cost of solar power and battery storage is a major climate success story of recent years, helping renewables overtake coal for the first time in global electricity generation in 2025."
www.dw.com/en/boom-smal...
www.dw.com/en/boom-smal...
Cheaper, cleaner energy drives Germany's balcony-solar boom – DW – 12/18/2025
The home-fitted renewable-energy sources are inexpensive and easy to install, and reduce electricity costs. Here's what can be learned from their surging popularity in Germany.
www.dw.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:47 AM
"The rapidly falling cost of solar power and battery storage is a major climate success story of recent years, helping renewables overtake coal for the first time in global electricity generation in 2025."
www.dw.com/en/boom-smal...
www.dw.com/en/boom-smal...
Two end-of-term observations from an aging academic:
While many (not all) students increasingly struggle with academic writing, they are really good at making podcasts (first time experimenting with this assignment format).
All of a sudden they show confidence in articulating arguments.
While many (not all) students increasingly struggle with academic writing, they are really good at making podcasts (first time experimenting with this assignment format).
All of a sudden they show confidence in articulating arguments.
December 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Two end-of-term observations from an aging academic:
While many (not all) students increasingly struggle with academic writing, they are really good at making podcasts (first time experimenting with this assignment format).
All of a sudden they show confidence in articulating arguments.
While many (not all) students increasingly struggle with academic writing, they are really good at making podcasts (first time experimenting with this assignment format).
All of a sudden they show confidence in articulating arguments.
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Since the European public is largely unaware of what #EUCO Council is (despite it being the most powerful EU institution), helpful to remind that it had an EPP majority for decades.
But now with the entry of the far right, that right-wing majority is shared with Meloni & Orban.
But now with the entry of the far right, that right-wing majority is shared with Meloni & Orban.
December 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Since the European public is largely unaware of what #EUCO Council is (despite it being the most powerful EU institution), helpful to remind that it had an EPP majority for decades.
But now with the entry of the far right, that right-wing majority is shared with Meloni & Orban.
But now with the entry of the far right, that right-wing majority is shared with Meloni & Orban.
A good summary of the CBAM, which comes into full force in January.
theconversation.com/how-europes-...
theconversation.com/how-europes-...
How Europe’s new carbon tax on imported goods will change global trade – and our shopping habits
The EU’s new carbon tax is reshaping global trade – and starting to influence what people buy and how much they pay for it.
theconversation.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A good summary of the CBAM, which comes into full force in January.
theconversation.com/how-europes-...
theconversation.com/how-europes-...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
In principle, the EU has an "Anti-Coercion Mechanism" on its books ...
Greer threatens Section 301 investigations against the EU to force the bloc to dismantle its digital regulations that target anti-competitive behavior and content moderation failures by US Big Tech
www.cnbc.com/video/2025/1...
www.cnbc.com/video/2025/1...
USTR Jamieson Greer on EU tech fines: Number of investigations we could conduct to take action
Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss tensions around tech with the European Union, how to think about what happens next and much more.
www.cnbc.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:28 PM
In principle, the EU has an "Anti-Coercion Mechanism" on its books ...
A case study on power + governance failure in minor hockey - at the expense of kids, and disregarding the vital contribution of long-term volunteers:
A large non-profit, community-based minor hockey association refuses to “release” former (!) *house league* coaches⬇️
openletter.earth/open-letter-...
A large non-profit, community-based minor hockey association refuses to “release” former (!) *house league* coaches⬇️
openletter.earth/open-letter-...
Open letter to KMHA calling for the Board of Directors to allow former volunteers to coach their children
openletter.earth
December 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A case study on power + governance failure in minor hockey - at the expense of kids, and disregarding the vital contribution of long-term volunteers:
A large non-profit, community-based minor hockey association refuses to “release” former (!) *house league* coaches⬇️
openletter.earth/open-letter-...
A large non-profit, community-based minor hockey association refuses to “release” former (!) *house league* coaches⬇️
openletter.earth/open-letter-...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Cooperative federalism if necessary, but not necessarily cooperative federalism apparently.
Interesting that the federal government hasn’t reached out to B.C. or Abbotsford re: floods this week.
This was the front of the paper today, btw.
This was the front of the paper today, btw.
December 12, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Cooperative federalism if necessary, but not necessarily cooperative federalism apparently.
Almost feeling a bit sorry for German Land governments:
In today's Bundesrat session alone, they have to cover 87 items. Committee-level meetings already resume on January 12 to prepare the next plenary session on January 30.
In addition to governing their own Land.
In today's Bundesrat session alone, they have to cover 87 items. Committee-level meetings already resume on January 12 to prepare the next plenary session on January 30.
In addition to governing their own Land.
December 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Almost feeling a bit sorry for German Land governments:
In today's Bundesrat session alone, they have to cover 87 items. Committee-level meetings already resume on January 12 to prepare the next plenary session on January 30.
In addition to governing their own Land.
In today's Bundesrat session alone, they have to cover 87 items. Committee-level meetings already resume on January 12 to prepare the next plenary session on January 30.
In addition to governing their own Land.
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
They are saying it. And other things that are always changing.
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/11/n...
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/11/n...
'Not what they're saying': Carney rejects suggestion U.S. may exit…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
They are saying it. And other things that are always changing.
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/11/n...
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/11/n...
M. Rutte called him "Daddy".
F.Merz just said he "hopes" the president will "acknowledge" the success of Germany's new approach to immigration and asylum policy.
What does this signal to a narcissist?
F.Merz just said he "hopes" the president will "acknowledge" the success of Germany's new approach to immigration and asylum policy.
What does this signal to a narcissist?
Trump: "The European nations are reporting that your president might as well be the leader of the European nations also. They respect us like they've never respected us before."
December 12, 2025 at 12:20 PM
M. Rutte called him "Daddy".
F.Merz just said he "hopes" the president will "acknowledge" the success of Germany's new approach to immigration and asylum policy.
What does this signal to a narcissist?
F.Merz just said he "hopes" the president will "acknowledge" the success of Germany's new approach to immigration and asylum policy.
What does this signal to a narcissist?
Robust intergovernmental institutions > cultivate norms and shared understandings > facilitate sustainable policy outcomes
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta Treaty 8 chiefs demand pause on pipeline agreement, threaten legal action | CBC News
Treaty 8 First Nations chiefs spoke in Ottawa Thursday, calling for a pause on the pipeline memorandum of understanding until they are consulted and sign off on the potential project. They're threaten...
www.cbc.ca
December 11, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Robust intergovernmental institutions > cultivate norms and shared understandings > facilitate sustainable policy outcomes
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
About a year ago, the minister also believed the 51st state remarks were "quite clearly a joke".
"'The president was telling jokes, the president was teasing us, it was, of course, in no way a serious comment," LeBlanc said.'"
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
"'The president was telling jokes, the president was teasing us, it was, of course, in no way a serious comment," LeBlanc said.'"
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
December 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
About a year ago, the minister also believed the 51st state remarks were "quite clearly a joke".
"'The president was telling jokes, the president was teasing us, it was, of course, in no way a serious comment," LeBlanc said.'"
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
"'The president was telling jokes, the president was teasing us, it was, of course, in no way a serious comment," LeBlanc said.'"
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
It would be a real, serious attempt at "nation-building".
Yeah. We know. Which is why I find it weird the Prime Minister is not calling for some sort of emergency economic, art, and science council. I also find it weird the majority of national media and public broadcasters are still talking about a single pipeline mirage.
Trump’s Terrifying New Security Doctrine Turns Canada into a Target | The Walrus
The 29-page blueprint casts us as expendable
thewalrus.ca
December 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
It would be a real, serious attempt at "nation-building".