CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
@policyalternatives.ca
The CCPA is Canada's leading progressive policy research institute. We offer independent, non-partisan research on social, economic & climate justice.
www.policyalternatives.ca
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www.policyalternatives.ca
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Welcome new followers! We're so glad you're here with us! (And a special welcome to followers of the CCPA Ontario account, which has now merged with this one!) Also, thank you to the many people who have included the CCPA in their Starter Packs.
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Welcome to CCPA's Chartapolooza 2025. First up is
@ccpa-on.bsky.social: The numbers behind #Ontario's school board takeovers: How can boards balance budgets when the funds are not there? Chec out the original post by
@ricardotranjan.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
@ccpa-on.bsky.social: The numbers behind #Ontario's school board takeovers: How can boards balance budgets when the funds are not there? Chec out the original post by
@ricardotranjan.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
December 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Welcome to CCPA's Chartapolooza 2025. First up is
@ccpa-on.bsky.social: The numbers behind #Ontario's school board takeovers: How can boards balance budgets when the funds are not there? Chec out the original post by
@ricardotranjan.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
@ccpa-on.bsky.social: The numbers behind #Ontario's school board takeovers: How can boards balance budgets when the funds are not there? Chec out the original post by
@ricardotranjan.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Director of @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social, @csaulnier.bsky.social, says the revenue loss creates a risk that the growing deficit will be used to justify austerity measures in the upcoming budget, [as] many Nova Scotians struggle to meet their basic living costs. www.1015thehawk.com/2025/12/19/c...
CCPA raises concerns over Nova Scotia’s latest budget update
A Nova Scotia policy group is criticizing the province's December budget update, saying it raises serious conc...
www.1015thehawk.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Director of @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social, @csaulnier.bsky.social, says the revenue loss creates a risk that the growing deficit will be used to justify austerity measures in the upcoming budget, [as] many Nova Scotians struggle to meet their basic living costs. www.1015thehawk.com/2025/12/19/c...
According to @policyalternatives.ca , 34% of non-school-aged children in #NovaScotia live in a child-care desert, while 36% live in an area with “inadequate coverage.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Many rural N.S. families struggle to find child care, province remains committed to increasing access | CBC News
Many families in Nova Scotia live in rural communities with very little access to child care. The provincial government says it remains committed to increasing access to daycare for all families, espe...
www.cbc.ca
December 19, 2025 at 8:24 PM
According to @policyalternatives.ca , 34% of non-school-aged children in #NovaScotia live in a child-care desert, while 36% live in an area with “inadequate coverage.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
“Unfortunately, the minimum wage in our province is well below that living wage, so people who are trying to make ends meet — working at minimum wage, full-time — really are struggling to do that,” said researcher w/ @ccpamb.bsky.social Jesse Hajer #manitoba www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Minimum wage falls well short of what’s needed to live in Winnipeg: report
www.winnipegfreepress.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“Unfortunately, the minimum wage in our province is well below that living wage, so people who are trying to make ends meet — working at minimum wage, full-time — really are struggling to do that,” said researcher w/ @ccpamb.bsky.social Jesse Hajer #manitoba www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
The federal government has been promising a policy to prioritize Canadian contractors in federal spending. They just rolled out the policy—let’s see how it holds up. By @noahfry.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Buy Canadian Policy: The good, the bad and the ugly - CCPA
On December 16, the federal government’s Buy Canadian Policy officially came into effect. This is the first step towards fulfilling the Buy Canadian Policy as laid out in September, when the federal g...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 19, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The federal government has been promising a policy to prioritize Canadian contractors in federal spending. They just rolled out the policy—let’s see how it holds up. By @noahfry.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Modest trade impacts being used to justify fast-tracking mining and oil and gas projects in #BritishColumbia. @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
How’s the BC economy holding up in the face of the Trump trade war? - CCPA
President Trump’s tariff and trade policies dominated the world’s political discourse through 2025. In a recent article,Stuart Trew and I reviewed the different tariffs and overall state of play for C...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Modest trade impacts being used to justify fast-tracking mining and oil and gas projects in #BritishColumbia. @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The reality of what daycare in #Saskatchewan looks like right now. @policyalternatives.ca senior researcher @simonenoch.bsky.social weighs in: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
December 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The reality of what daycare in #Saskatchewan looks like right now. @policyalternatives.ca senior researcher @simonenoch.bsky.social weighs in: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
No industry actor wants to field the capital to build a new pipeline. Why is the federal government pretending it's a viable option? By @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #cdnpoli #cdnecon #climatecrisis
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The Alberta-Canada MOU is an early Christmas present for the oil and gas industry - CCPA
A detailed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the federal and Alberta governments, released late November, looks like a political game-changer but is most likely an economic loser. The short-te...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 17, 2025 at 3:18 PM
No industry actor wants to field the capital to build a new pipeline. Why is the federal government pretending it's a viable option? By @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #cdnpoli #cdnecon #climatecrisis
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
ICYMI: In a study released in May, @ccpa-on.bsky.social reported that school boards [in #Ontario] are receiving effectively $260 less in funding per student compared to 2018, when adjusted for inflation and enrolment numbers. #OntEd www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/lett...
Letters to the editor: ‘We are now left with sacrifice, which to me is Liberal code for a government at the financial precipice and coming for seniors’ savings.’ Letters to the editor for Dec. 14
In today’s letters to the editor: Ontario math scores; boomer wealth; Ottawa and Lansdowne 2.0; Toronto transit; cellular dead zones
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:39 PM
ICYMI: In a study released in May, @ccpa-on.bsky.social reported that school boards [in #Ontario] are receiving effectively $260 less in funding per student compared to 2018, when adjusted for inflation and enrolment numbers. #OntEd www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/lett...
Inflation may be holding at 2%, but food and rent costs in Canada are up. Since last year, beef prices have increased by 20% and coffee by 30%. Rent increases are double the rate of #inflation. @davidmaccdn.bsky.social breaks it down: @policyalternatives.ca www.ctvnews.ca/video/2025/1...
Canada’s inflation holds at 2.2 per cent as grocery prices continue to rise
Economist David Macdonald breaks down the November inflation at 2.2 per cent and with food costs expected to keep rising, why grocery prices continue to climb.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 16, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Inflation may be holding at 2%, but food and rent costs in Canada are up. Since last year, beef prices have increased by 20% and coffee by 30%. Rent increases are double the rate of #inflation. @davidmaccdn.bsky.social breaks it down: @policyalternatives.ca www.ctvnews.ca/video/2025/1...
When we crunch Canada Post's numbers, we don’t see a system bloated by high costs—and when we look at comparison countries, we see that budget cuts and falling revenue go hand-in-hand. By Ryan Romard @policyalternatives.ca #canlab
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Canada Post is already one of the world’s most cost-effective postal systems - CCPA
There’s a common narrative about why Canada Post is in such bad shape—the company’s financial difficulties lie in excessive spending, and that the decline of letter-mail has made Canada Post too costl...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 16, 2025 at 7:15 PM
When we crunch Canada Post's numbers, we don’t see a system bloated by high costs—and when we look at comparison countries, we see that budget cuts and falling revenue go hand-in-hand. By Ryan Romard @policyalternatives.ca #canlab
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
#Manitoba Hydro is under pressure to keep costs down as it begins a cycle of expansion. It must not push cost-cutting measures onto frontline staff. This only increase costs in the long term. By Niall Harney @ccpamb.bsky.social #canlab
Opinion: Hydro staffing must remain the focus
Over the last year, the provincial government and Manitoba Hydro have announced several projects that follow through on the province’s Affordable Energy Strategy, including Bipoles I and II refurbishm...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
#Manitoba Hydro is under pressure to keep costs down as it begins a cycle of expansion. It must not push cost-cutting measures onto frontline staff. This only increase costs in the long term. By Niall Harney @ccpamb.bsky.social #canlab
Canadian postal bank could be transformative—both to the post office, and to Canada’s monopolized financial sector. By @rromard.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #cdnpoli
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Crunching the numbers on postal banking in Canada - CCPA
Among the many proposals to transform Canada Post, one stands out: postal banking. It’s a program that could contribute to solving multiple policy problems at once—help support our postal service with...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Canadian postal bank could be transformative—both to the post office, and to Canada’s monopolized financial sector. By @rromard.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #cdnpoli
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Industrial transformation and renewal is essential if Canada wants to weather Trump’s economic warfare—but we cannot afford to be so haphazard with public funds. By @marclee.bsky.social and Stuart Trew @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Algoma Steel layoffs signal it’s time for Canada to up its game on trade and industrial policy - CCPA
Algoma Steel’s announcement that it will lay off more than 1,000 workers in Sault Ste Marie is just the latest in a string of bad news from President Trump‘s trade war. Canada needs to respond quickly...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Industrial transformation and renewal is essential if Canada wants to weather Trump’s economic warfare—but we cannot afford to be so haphazard with public funds. By @marclee.bsky.social and Stuart Trew @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
"Un nouveau rapport du @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social montre que la majorité des collectivités de la Nouvelle-Écosse n’atteignent pas les objectifs en matière de services de garde établis lors de la signature de l’entente...en 2021." www.granbyexpress.com/nouvelles-na...
La Nouvelle-Écosse veut plus d'argent d'Ottawa pour le plan des services de garde - Le Granby Express
HALIFAX — Le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Écosse affirme que la province a besoin de davantage de fonds du gouvernement fédéral pour atteindre son objectif de 2021, soit la création de…
www.granbyexpress.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"Un nouveau rapport du @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social montre que la majorité des collectivités de la Nouvelle-Écosse n’atteignent pas les objectifs en matière de services de garde établis lors de la signature de l’entente...en 2021." www.granbyexpress.com/nouvelles-na...
The report from @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social says many parents across [ #NovaScotia] are paying much more for childcare services than a provincial goal set in 2021 of $10 per day... [and #NS has not] achieved its goal of creating 9,500 new childcare spaces. www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
N.S. still below targets set in federal agreement for $10-a-day daycare: report
The Nova Scotia government says the province needs more money from the federal government to reach their 2021 target of creating 9,500 new affordable childcare spaces.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The report from @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social says many parents across [ #NovaScotia] are paying much more for childcare services than a provincial goal set in 2021 of $10 per day... [and #NS has not] achieved its goal of creating 9,500 new childcare spaces. www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nov...
“These [tech companies] aren't charities ... [so maybe they] want intimate knowledge of government operations ... so they can come back and pitch their own products and services to the government,” warns @simonenoch.bsky.social of @policyalternatives.ca www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/10/n...
Ottawa hands corporate leaders 50 roles in government
Ottawa plans to embed the private sector workers after adopting a business group's proposal — even naming the program after them, a briefing note reveals.
www.nationalobserver.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
“These [tech companies] aren't charities ... [so maybe they] want intimate knowledge of government operations ... so they can come back and pitch their own products and services to the government,” warns @simonenoch.bsky.social of @policyalternatives.ca www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/10/n...
“All private and public sector employers should pay their employees, whether direct or on contract, at least a living wage,” reads a report authored by @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social in August. #canlab futureofgood.co/record-numbe...
Record number of working Canadians now relying on food banks | Future of Good
Across the country, reports show food bank usage has hit unprecedented heights, even for those who are working.
futureofgood.co
December 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“All private and public sector employers should pay their employees, whether direct or on contract, at least a living wage,” reads a report authored by @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social in August. #canlab futureofgood.co/record-numbe...
"While many of those targets have been met [in #NovaScotia], child care remains unaffordable and inaccessible for many families, and ECEs are still undervalued and underpaid," the report by @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social says. #childcare #NSPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
N.S. child-care system still struggling to meet targets in federal agreement, new report says | CBC News
Families are still "desperate" for child-care spaces and some are still paying much more than the target of $10 a day laid out in the 2021 agreement with Ottawa.
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"While many of those targets have been met [in #NovaScotia], child care remains unaffordable and inaccessible for many families, and ECEs are still undervalued and underpaid," the report by @ccpanovascotia.bsky.social says. #childcare #NSPoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
A vision for Canada’s industries needs to be cocreated with workers, governments and the industry itself. By @marclee.bsky.social and Stuart Trew. #canlab @policyalternatives.ca www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Layoffs are another wound inflicted by Donald Trump. But this is how Canada can rebuild its industrial base
Among the options are the government taking a stake in key industrial companies.
www.thestar.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A vision for Canada’s industries needs to be cocreated with workers, governments and the industry itself. By @marclee.bsky.social and Stuart Trew. #canlab @policyalternatives.ca www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Bill C-9 is not actually about preventing hate crimes—it is likely to be used to target the Palestine solidarity movement, leading civil liberties experts say. By Changiz Varzi #cdnpoli @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The “Combatting Hate Act” is part of a wave of anti-protest legislation in Canada - CCPA
On September 19, amidst a flurry of other new federal legislation, Justice Minister Sean Fraser introduced Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act. The act, according to the press release announcing its int...
www.policyalternatives.ca
December 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Bill C-9 is not actually about preventing hate crimes—it is likely to be used to target the Palestine solidarity movement, leading civil liberties experts say. By Changiz Varzi #cdnpoli @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Cuts won’t save Canada Post and mail won’t pay the bills. But adding banking services at post offices might turn things around. By @rromard.bsky.social and @simonenoch.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca troymedia.com/politicslaw/...
Time for Canadians to bank on Canada Post
Simon Enoch and Ryan Romard • Adding banking services at post offices might turn things around
troymedia.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Cuts won’t save Canada Post and mail won’t pay the bills. But adding banking services at post offices might turn things around. By @rromard.bsky.social and @simonenoch.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca troymedia.com/politicslaw/...
.@marclee.bsky.social, a senior economist w/ @policyalternatives.ca, said he believes CMHC has taken a “very pro-developer position” ...[and]... developers are relying on the public sector to make their projects more profitable, something he finds concerning. #cdnpoli www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Ford government slammed for loaning Algoma $100M as steel firm cuts 1,000 jobs
Opposition parties said the aid should have come with provisions to protect jobs.
www.thestar.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:25 PM
.@marclee.bsky.social, a senior economist w/ @policyalternatives.ca, said he believes CMHC has taken a “very pro-developer position” ...[and]... developers are relying on the public sector to make their projects more profitable, something he finds concerning. #cdnpoli www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Senior Economist with @policyalternatives.ca, @davidmaccdn.bsky.social said most low-income Canadians will see almost nothing.
“For those living in poverty, the lowest bracket shift provides an average benefit of $11 a year.” #poverty #inequality www.westernstandard.news/news/enough-...
“For those living in poverty, the lowest bracket shift provides an average benefit of $11 a year.” #poverty #inequality www.westernstandard.news/news/enough-...
ENOUGH FOR A DOZEN EGGS: Senators say Carney tax cut gives working poor just $11 a year
A federal income tax cut pitched by Prime Minister Mark Carney as a major affordability measure will save low-income Canadians roughly $11 a year, senators heard this week, despite the measure carryin...
www.westernstandard.news
December 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Senior Economist with @policyalternatives.ca, @davidmaccdn.bsky.social said most low-income Canadians will see almost nothing.
“For those living in poverty, the lowest bracket shift provides an average benefit of $11 a year.” #poverty #inequality www.westernstandard.news/news/enough-...
“For those living in poverty, the lowest bracket shift provides an average benefit of $11 a year.” #poverty #inequality www.westernstandard.news/news/enough-...
Reposted by CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Tomorrow is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. On Dec. 6, 1989, a gunman murdered 14 women at École #Polytechnique de Montréal because they were women. Remember their names. And continue to fight to end gender-based violence in all of its forms #EndGBV
December 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Tomorrow is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. On Dec. 6, 1989, a gunman murdered 14 women at École #Polytechnique de Montréal because they were women. Remember their names. And continue to fight to end gender-based violence in all of its forms #EndGBV