Erika Shaker
@ershaker.bsky.social
Director, CCPA National Office
https://bsky.app/profile/policyalternatives.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/policyalternatives.bsky.social
Reposted by Erika Shaker
from government by consultant to government by consultants using generative AI.
decades of degrading government capacity to actually govern has left it open to further degradation through ai hype and perceptions it enables further cost cutting.
decades of degrading government capacity to actually govern has left it open to further degradation through ai hype and perceptions it enables further cost cutting.
Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I. – The Independent
$1.6 million Health Human Resources Plan from Deloitte cites research papers that don’t exist, making it the second major government policy paper called into question in as many months
theindependent.ca
November 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
from government by consultant to government by consultants using generative AI.
decades of degrading government capacity to actually govern has left it open to further degradation through ai hype and perceptions it enables further cost cutting.
decades of degrading government capacity to actually govern has left it open to further degradation through ai hype and perceptions it enables further cost cutting.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl... ‘In his mandate letters to his post-election cabinet ministers this year, he did not make any reference to feminism or gender equality. He has not named a successor to Canada’s first ambassador on women, peace and security…’
No more feminist foreign policy, Carney says
Prime Minister, who made the comments at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, has placed less emphasis on feminist policies than the Trudeau government
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl... ‘In his mandate letters to his post-election cabinet ministers this year, he did not make any reference to feminism or gender equality. He has not named a successor to Canada’s first ambassador on women, peace and security…’
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/22/o... “We went to Shopify and said, 'Can you help us redesign this process?' Somewhat embarrassingly, they came back in 48 hours and said, 'Do this.' We looked at it for three months and then we did what they said," he said to laughter in the room.
Ottawa is 'rebooting' its relationship with the tech industry,…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:03 PM
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/22/o... “We went to Shopify and said, 'Can you help us redesign this process?' Somewhat embarrassingly, they came back in 48 hours and said, 'Do this.' We looked at it for three months and then we did what they said," he said to laughter in the room.
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art... ‘As Canada seeks more trade, including with governments that don’t prioritize gender equality, Carney says it’s part of Canada’s policy to try making progress by discussing strategies and approaches toward equality.’ FFS
Carney says Canada upholding values but drops talk of ‘feminist foreign policy’
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada no longer has a feminist foreign policy, but still wants to uphold values on the world stage that include LGBTQ+ rights and combatting violence against women.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art... ‘As Canada seeks more trade, including with governments that don’t prioritize gender equality, Carney says it’s part of Canada’s policy to try making progress by discussing strategies and approaches toward equality.’ FFS
Reposted by Erika Shaker
Want a job on Ford's gravy train?
Donate $6,208 to the Conservative party, get appointed to the Council overseeing College of Early Childhood Educators.
No need to know what an ECE is.
My colleague Alexa Gilmour questions the appointee in the Legislative committee.
#ONpoli #OntEd
Donate $6,208 to the Conservative party, get appointed to the Council overseeing College of Early Childhood Educators.
No need to know what an ECE is.
My colleague Alexa Gilmour questions the appointee in the Legislative committee.
#ONpoli #OntEd
November 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Erika Shaker
A French ICC judge sanctioned by the US over the Netanyau arrest warrant says all his accounts with US companies have been closed, making it “like being sent back to the 1990s.”
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
![What can governments do?
In the face of US sanctions, European authorities can implement the "blocking statute" [a mechanism used in the past that protects EU citizens and companies from the effects of sanctions imposed by third countries]. Europe needs greater sovereignty, especially in digital and banking matters. That is the only way to reduce the impact of sanctions and, indirectly, protect the victims of international crimes. Today, there is no room for naivety. Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law. Some European lawmakers have become aware of these issues. Still, this awareness must grow among national governments and the European Commission, because behind the sanctions against the ICC lies the entire question of the rule of law.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5rxcpjus3ple6jpbuafvm4og/bafkreiflzi2b3svul3iq3omdpk3yl4kydla7cisw7ireldm7zne2majeoq@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
A French ICC judge sanctioned by the US over the Netanyau arrest warrant says all his accounts with US companies have been closed, making it “like being sent back to the 1990s.”
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
www.parklandinstitute.ca/poisoning_la... ‘Normally, workers subjected to this kind of interference could file a charter challenge to have imposed provisions struck down, as teachers in BC did in 2018.’
Poisoning Labour Relations: The Consequences of Alberta’s Teachers’ Back-to-Work Legislation
With teachers back in the classroom and schools operating as usual, it is important to see the Back to School Act, and its reliance on the notwithstanding clause, in its broader context and talk about...
www.parklandinstitute.ca
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
www.parklandinstitute.ca/poisoning_la... ‘Normally, workers subjected to this kind of interference could file a charter challenge to have imposed provisions struck down, as teachers in BC did in 2018.’
Reposted by Erika Shaker
The BC government’s new “Look West” economic plan doubles down on resource extraction—while ignoring sectors of the economy that could have a larger impact on well-being. By @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #bcecon
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Not a good look: BC’s new environmentally destructive economic plan - CCPA
Look West is the Government of British Columbia‘s newly minted economic strategy. Premier David Eby is calling it a plan to attract $20 billion of investment from the federal government and private se...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The BC government’s new “Look West” economic plan doubles down on resource extraction—while ignoring sectors of the economy that could have a larger impact on well-being. By @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #bcecon
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Erika Shaker
As Regina's City Council considers across-the-board austerity, important to note that the Police Operating Budget has increased every year - from $71.6 million 10 years ago to $116.1 this year - a 62% increase. Why is the RPS immune to the calls for cuts that other city services are subject to?
Holy shit you guys. The city has released the list of cuts to services that would be required to hit Clr Dan Rashovich's proposed 5% mill rate reduction, and I am having difficulty comprehending the scale of damage Dan is making us imagine. It is like a bomb going off in the city's finances. #yqrcc
November 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
As Regina's City Council considers across-the-board austerity, important to note that the Police Operating Budget has increased every year - from $71.6 million 10 years ago to $116.1 this year - a 62% increase. Why is the RPS immune to the calls for cuts that other city services are subject to?
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art... ‘The study by @iris-recherche.bsky.social and @policyalternatives.ca …analyzed the health-care systems of 25 member countries of the OECD….countries that allow greater private sector involvement in healthcare achieve poorer results on 7 mortality indicators’
More private health care linked to higher mortality, Quebec study warns
Experts are concerned about the direction Quebec is taking by increasingly turning to the private sector to provide care to the population (care that is often publicly funded).
www.ctvnews.ca
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art... ‘The study by @iris-recherche.bsky.social and @policyalternatives.ca …analyzed the health-care systems of 25 member countries of the OECD….countries that allow greater private sector involvement in healthcare achieve poorer results on 7 mortality indicators’
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'when governments choose to increase private financing and private delivery of health care services, they run the risk of making health care worse for the public, not better.' @policyalternatives.ca @iris-recherche.bsky.social
Mortality and health care privatization: A comparison between countries - CCPA
Privatization is deadly. Canada needs to learn from other countries and focus on public health care instead.
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 21, 2025 at 7:42 PM
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'when governments choose to increase private financing and private delivery of health care services, they run the risk of making health care worse for the public, not better.' @policyalternatives.ca @iris-recherche.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'Buying local is no replacement for an internal capacity to deliver public services. While buying Ontarian is good, employing Ontarians w/in the public service is often more efficient, transparent & affordable' @policyalternatives.ca @ccpa-tirp.bsky.social
The Buy Ontario Act is a rebrand with little new to offer - CCPA
On November 20, the government of Ontario announced the Buy Ontario Act. This is a follow up to a 2022 policy—the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act—that favoured Ontarian suppliers within pu...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'Buying local is no replacement for an internal capacity to deliver public services. While buying Ontarian is good, employing Ontarians w/in the public service is often more efficient, transparent & affordable' @policyalternatives.ca @ccpa-tirp.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'this economic plan...does not appear to have been the result of any kind of broader public engagement process, & largely serves as a PR exercise for resource extraction projects & that double down on fossil fuels at a time when we need to ditch them.'
Not a good look: BC’s new environmentally destructive economic plan - CCPA
Look West is the Government of British Columbia‘s newly minted economic strategy. Premier David Eby is calling it a plan to attract $20 billion of investment from the federal government and private se...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'this economic plan...does not appear to have been the result of any kind of broader public engagement process, & largely serves as a PR exercise for resource extraction projects & that double down on fossil fuels at a time when we need to ditch them.'
Reposted by Erika Shaker
Today is a shameful day for the Ford govt who passed Bill 33 despite public opposition and how much it hurts students, parents, and educators.
Ford and Calandra grabbed power for themselves and took away our democratic rights. Democracy is non-negotiable. Today, they treated it like nothing.
#onted
Ford and Calandra grabbed power for themselves and took away our democratic rights. Democracy is non-negotiable. Today, they treated it like nothing.
#onted
November 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Today is a shameful day for the Ford govt who passed Bill 33 despite public opposition and how much it hurts students, parents, and educators.
Ford and Calandra grabbed power for themselves and took away our democratic rights. Democracy is non-negotiable. Today, they treated it like nothing.
#onted
Ford and Calandra grabbed power for themselves and took away our democratic rights. Democracy is non-negotiable. Today, they treated it like nothing.
#onted
“We are deeply concerned about this concentration of power in the Minister of Education’s office, regardless of who is in power at Queen’s Park” apple.news/AB1zcw4PuSpq...
Ontario passes controversial bill giving the province more power over schools — The Globe and Mail
Bill 33 allows the government to more easily remove elected trustees and temporarily take over school boards
apple.news
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 AM
“We are deeply concerned about this concentration of power in the Minister of Education’s office, regardless of who is in power at Queen’s Park” apple.news/AB1zcw4PuSpq...
Reposted by Erika Shaker
“this is the most climate negative budget we’ve seen in a decade.” This writer agrees with @policyalternatives.ca #Budget2025
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
Opinion: A bad budget for climate and nature
To say I’m disappointed with the new federal budget would be the understatement of the year. Truth is, I’m frustrated and angry, not just because of what’s in the budget but by what has been cut and w...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
“this is the most climate negative budget we’ve seen in a decade.” This writer agrees with @policyalternatives.ca #Budget2025
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/anal...
Reposted by Erika Shaker
Interested in a progressive economist's take on the world right now? Check out this free webinar on Tuesday, Nov 25 3pm EST. Sponsored by @policyalternatives.ca. Register below! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
North America in the World Economy: Now—and After You-Know-Who. Free to all, register today!
James K. Galbraith holds the Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. Chair in Government/Business Relations at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and a professorship in Government at The University of Texas ...
us02web.zoom.us
November 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Interested in a progressive economist's take on the world right now? Check out this free webinar on Tuesday, Nov 25 3pm EST. Sponsored by @policyalternatives.ca. Register below! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... “They seized on this kind of bogus issue of trade barriers and are basically painting themselves as the knights in shining armor that are going to go slay this dragon, but the reality is, there's no dragon.”
@marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
@marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Provinces sign agreement to drop interprovincial trade barriers on goods except food, alcohol | CBC News
An agreement, signed today, between all Canadian provinces, territories, and the federal government, will drop interprovincial trade barriers on many goods except food and alcohol. It's part of an eff...
www.cbc.ca
November 20, 2025 at 12:46 AM
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... “They seized on this kind of bogus issue of trade barriers and are basically painting themselves as the knights in shining armor that are going to go slay this dragon, but the reality is, there's no dragon.”
@marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
@marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Reposted by Erika Shaker
ICYMI An interview with @policyalternatives.ca senior researcher @hadrianmk.bsky.social about the climate policy in #Budget2025. www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/...
The Worst Climate Budget Since The Harper Era (993) — Green Majority Radio
Stefan interviews Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, senior researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, about Carney’s first federal budget. They discuss its focus on military spending, services...
www.greenmajority.ca
November 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
ICYMI An interview with @policyalternatives.ca senior researcher @hadrianmk.bsky.social about the climate policy in #Budget2025. www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'Lost in all of this is any sort of vision for the Canadian economy. Instead, it’s an “all of the above” strategy while simultaneously downplaying other social expenditures that matter to our standard of living.' @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Talking ‘bout my generational investment: Why the federal budget fails to meet the moment - CCPA
Budget 2025 featured talk of “generational investments” and proclaimed a headline number of $1 trillion in combined new public and private investment over five years. Yet no one seems particularly ins...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'Lost in all of this is any sort of vision for the Canadian economy. Instead, it’s an “all of the above” strategy while simultaneously downplaying other social expenditures that matter to our standard of living.' @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Op-Ed: Ottawa's costly pursuit of the poor www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/11/12/o... 'If Canada’s public administration has the courage to walk away from enforcement that doesn’t work, then it should do so consistently — not just when the beneficiaries are the well-off.'
Op-Ed: Ottawa's costly pursuit of the poor
The government cites inefficiency as a reason to end taxes on vacant homes and yachts — yet keeps pouring money into futile litigation over pandemic-era benefits
www.canadianaffairs.news
November 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Op-Ed: Ottawa's costly pursuit of the poor www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/11/12/o... 'If Canada’s public administration has the courage to walk away from enforcement that doesn’t work, then it should do so consistently — not just when the beneficiaries are the well-off.'
“It very well could be a good start, but my concern is that it’s not going to scale up fast enough. The fiscal commitment is pretty weak … it’s not what I would think of as a generational investment.” www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe... @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Federal budget falls short on housing affordability, experts say
Academics and builders’ associations say the Liberal government has watered down its election pledges
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
“It very well could be a good start, but my concern is that it’s not going to scale up fast enough. The fiscal commitment is pretty weak … it’s not what I would think of as a generational investment.” www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe... @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... ‘Later this month, UCP activists will bid to push the Smith government farther than ever at the annual meeting in Edmonton.’
ANALYSIS | Pride flags, fluoride, abortion: Here's what UCP will push Danielle Smith to change next | CBC News
Alberta's premier likes to fulfil her party members' policy wishes. But do these ones coming to convention go too far?
www.cbc.ca
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... ‘Later this month, UCP activists will bid to push the Smith government farther than ever at the annual meeting in Edmonton.’
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'With a greater push towards fast tracking major projects, including energy projects, these threats to responsible resource development from ISDS are even more profound in 2025.' @policyalternatives.ca @ccpa-tirp.bsky.social
Investment treaties, UNDRIP and the Building Canada Act - CCPA
“Build big things” has become a mantra of the current federal government. Partly in an effort to lessen our economic vulnerability to U.S. shocks, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been out luring foreig...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'With a greater push towards fast tracking major projects, including energy projects, these threats to responsible resource development from ISDS are even more profound in 2025.' @policyalternatives.ca @ccpa-tirp.bsky.social
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... ‘When teachers call for reduced class sizes, more support & better teaching conditions…they’re thinking about every kid in every classroom…[&]…the collective future we want those kids to create. Too bad the politics of narrow ignorance keeps getting in the way’
www.thestar.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... ‘When teachers call for reduced class sizes, more support & better teaching conditions…they’re thinking about every kid in every classroom…[&]…the collective future we want those kids to create. Too bad the politics of narrow ignorance keeps getting in the way’