Marc Lee
@marclee.bsky.social
Economist, talking head, Vancouver.
Reposted by Marc Lee
“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," says CCPA senior economist
@marclee.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
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@marclee.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
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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 13, 2025 at 5:52 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," says CCPA senior economist
@marclee.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
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@marclee.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
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With the annual meetings of the UN framework convention on climate change (COP-30) underway in Brazil, and marking ten years since the Paris Agreement was signed, we review a decade of Canadian climate policy: the good, the bad and ugly.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Canadian climate policy a decade after the Paris Agreement - CCPA
The Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 by 196 countries amid a wave of global urgency to confront the defining crisis of our time—climate change. Grounded in the best available science, it called for ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
With the annual meetings of the UN framework convention on climate change (COP-30) underway in Brazil, and marking ten years since the Paris Agreement was signed, we review a decade of Canadian climate policy: the good, the bad and ugly.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Marc Lee
Canadian climate policy a decade after the Paris Agreement
The good, the bad and the ugly. By @hadrianmk.bsky.social @marclee.bsky.social and Rachel Pettigrew #climatecrisis @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The good, the bad and the ugly. By @hadrianmk.bsky.social @marclee.bsky.social and Rachel Pettigrew #climatecrisis @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Canadian climate policy a decade after the Paris Agreement - CCPA
The Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 by 196 countries amid a wave of global urgency to confront the defining crisis of our time—climate change. Grounded in the best available science, it called for ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Canadian climate policy a decade after the Paris Agreement
The good, the bad and the ugly. By @hadrianmk.bsky.social @marclee.bsky.social and Rachel Pettigrew #climatecrisis @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The good, the bad and the ugly. By @hadrianmk.bsky.social @marclee.bsky.social and Rachel Pettigrew #climatecrisis @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Marc Lee
.@policyalternatives.ca economist @marclee.bsky.social said the proposed wage increases would put workers just past inflation.
“I don’t think it’s a huge victory from the union perspective, and I don’t think it’s a horrible deal from the government’s perspective either.” thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
“I don’t think it’s a huge victory from the union perspective, and I don’t think it’s a horrible deal from the government’s perspective either.” thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
BC’s Government Employee Strike Is Over. Here’s What Comes Next | The Tyee
The tentative deal clears the way for other public sector unions to fight for better wages.
thetyee.ca
October 29, 2025 at 6:41 PM
.@policyalternatives.ca economist @marclee.bsky.social said the proposed wage increases would put workers just past inflation.
“I don’t think it’s a huge victory from the union perspective, and I don’t think it’s a horrible deal from the government’s perspective either.” thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
“I don’t think it’s a huge victory from the union perspective, and I don’t think it’s a horrible deal from the government’s perspective either.” thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
I led up the Infrastructure, Cities and Transit chapter for AFB2026 with a a focus on the real infrastructure priorities to boost Canadians' standard of living not dumb and costly things like carbon capture and storage for the oil and gas industry.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Alternative federal budget 2026: Infrastructure, cities and transit - CCPA
What the Canadian government should do on infrastructure, cities and transit. Because true independence needs a new economic model.
www.policyalternatives.ca
October 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I led up the Infrastructure, Cities and Transit chapter for AFB2026 with a a focus on the real infrastructure priorities to boost Canadians' standard of living not dumb and costly things like carbon capture and storage for the oil and gas industry.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
As we wait for the most-anticipated federal budget since the mid-1990s, get up to speed with the @ccpa's annual Alternative Federal Budget, which lays out a plan that aspires to true Canadian sovereignty.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Alternative federal budget 2026: Summary - CCPA
Download PDF Read in English Lire en français
www.policyalternatives.ca
October 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
As we wait for the most-anticipated federal budget since the mid-1990s, get up to speed with the @ccpa's annual Alternative Federal Budget, which lays out a plan that aspires to true Canadian sovereignty.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Marc Lee
Reposted by Marc Lee
www.kamloopsbcnow.com/watercooler/... “It’s not just handing out cheques…it’s providing services that improve our economy & our quality of life. It’s one of the core ways that we stabilize relative to the swings, the booms & busts of the overall economy” @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Are BC's striking workers winning in their struggle against the government?
More than three weeks after the BC General Employees’ Union went on strike, the number of workers on picket lines continues to increase without.
www.kamloopsbcnow.com
September 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
www.kamloopsbcnow.com/watercooler/... “It’s not just handing out cheques…it’s providing services that improve our economy & our quality of life. It’s one of the core ways that we stabilize relative to the swings, the booms & busts of the overall economy” @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Reposted by Marc Lee
Senior economist @marclee.bsky.social
said he's "skeptical" of the government's claims about relying on attrition to shrink the public service" [by 57,00 jobs]. "If they want to meet that target, something's got to give at the end of the day," he said. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/car...
said he's "skeptical" of the government's claims about relying on attrition to shrink the public service" [by 57,00 jobs]. "If they want to meet that target, something's got to give at the end of the day," he said. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/car...
Carney's pledge to trim public service through attrition is 'misleading': union
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney's promise to cut the public service through attrition is "misleading" and "reckless," says the head of a federal union.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
September 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Senior economist @marclee.bsky.social
said he's "skeptical" of the government's claims about relying on attrition to shrink the public service" [by 57,00 jobs]. "If they want to meet that target, something's got to give at the end of the day," he said. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/car...
said he's "skeptical" of the government's claims about relying on attrition to shrink the public service" [by 57,00 jobs]. "If they want to meet that target, something's got to give at the end of the day," he said. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/car...
Got the last word in this update on the BC public sector workers strike: “There’s been a little bit too much of the punditry setting their hair on fire around the deficit"
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...
Are Striking Workers Putting Enough Pressure on BC’s Government? | The Tyee
Alcohol and cannabis distribution workers walked off the job Tuesday as the BCGEU strike entered its fourth week.
thetyee.ca
September 25, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Got the last word in this update on the BC public sector workers strike: “There’s been a little bit too much of the punditry setting their hair on fire around the deficit"
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...
BC nurses on climate and health: "We are health care workers. We’re already seeing the impacts of climate inaction" www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
We are health care workers. We’re already seeing the impacts of climate inaction - CCPA
The summer of 2025 will be remembered in Canada as the year that wildfires threatened our health and our homes, from coast to coast to coast, from Northwest Territories to Nova Scotia, from Manitoba t...
www.policyalternatives.ca
September 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
BC nurses on climate and health: "We are health care workers. We’re already seeing the impacts of climate inaction" www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
My @ccpa colleagues and I preview the fall parliamentary session: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The fall parliamentary session is going to be one to watch - CCPA
When parliament comes back into session on September 15, the newly elected federal government is going to try to move swiftly to pass its legislative agenda. With a minority parliament, the governing ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
September 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
My @ccpa colleagues and I preview the fall parliamentary session: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Marc Lee
Rents in Canada remain unaffordable for low-to-moderate income households, costing in some cities more than what two people, making minimum wage, can earn together. New report by @marclee.bsky.social + @davidmaccdn.bsky.social breaks down the issue. #canlab
www.policyalternatives.ca
September 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Rents in Canada remain unaffordable for low-to-moderate income households, costing in some cities more than what two people, making minimum wage, can earn together. New report by @marclee.bsky.social + @davidmaccdn.bsky.social breaks down the issue. #canlab
Our latest looks at housing affordability by calculating the "rental wage" or hourly wage one needs to afford a 1 or 2-BR apartment in different Cdn cities. Detailed tables available in the update and a map tool that drills down to the neighbourhood level
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Making Rent: The CCPA’s rental wage update 2024 - CCPA
It’s almost cliche to say that the high cost of housing is at the heart of Canada’s affordability crisis. Although much media attention is placed on the home ownership market, for the one-third of hou...
www.policyalternatives.ca
September 4, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Our latest looks at housing affordability by calculating the "rental wage" or hourly wage one needs to afford a 1 or 2-BR apartment in different Cdn cities. Detailed tables available in the update and a map tool that drills down to the neighbourhood level
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Marc Lee
"Reducing internal trade barriers will help, but as recent CIBC and @policyalternatives.ca reports highlighted, the impact will be far less than what was hyped in Throne Speech – yet another instance of a government inflating the numbers." @marclee.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: Carney promised to bring down the cost of living. Can he really do it?
Improving productivity or raising workers’ bargaining power, not lowering prices, will make things more affordable
www.theglobeandmail.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:51 PM
"Reducing internal trade barriers will help, but as recent CIBC and @policyalternatives.ca reports highlighted, the impact will be far less than what was hyped in Throne Speech – yet another instance of a government inflating the numbers." @marclee.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Reposted by Marc Lee
“We never used to tolerate such high levels of compensation and inequality,” @marclee.bsky.social said. “Now we do. We’ve just been beaten over the head with it for a number of years.” @policyalternatives.ca #inequality www.ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com/national-new...
Statistics Canada numbers say wealth gap getting bigger
Bottom 40 per cent of Canadians combined for 17.2 per cent of national income
www.ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:03 PM
“We never used to tolerate such high levels of compensation and inequality,” @marclee.bsky.social said. “Now we do. We’ve just been beaten over the head with it for a number of years.” @policyalternatives.ca #inequality www.ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com/national-new...
Reposted by Marc Lee
Prime Minister Carney just announced he was removing some Canadian counter-tariffs against the U.S. What’s happening in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute, and what comes next? By @marclee.bsky.social and @ccpa-tirp.bsky.social director Stuart Trew #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Elbows up, or bend the knee? - CCPA
International political discourse in 2025 has been haunted by the spectre of Donald Trump and his brute force reshaping of global trade relationships to the (perceived) advantage of the United States....
www.policyalternatives.ca
August 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Prime Minister Carney just announced he was removing some Canadian counter-tariffs against the U.S. What’s happening in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute, and what comes next? By @marclee.bsky.social and @ccpa-tirp.bsky.social director Stuart Trew #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
New from Stuart Trew and I: a long read on state of play of Canada-US trade, including a review of the various tariffs to date, an analysis of impacts on Canada's exports, a review of the "deals" Trump has negotiated, and what's on the table for Canada. www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Elbows up, or bend the knee? - CCPA
International political discourse in 2025 has been haunted by the spectre of Donald Trump and his brute force reshaping of global trade relationships to the (perceived) advantage of the United States....
www.policyalternatives.ca
August 25, 2025 at 2:23 PM
New from Stuart Trew and I: a long read on state of play of Canada-US trade, including a review of the various tariffs to date, an analysis of impacts on Canada's exports, a review of the "deals" Trump has negotiated, and what's on the table for Canada. www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The @ccpa is happy to join with 33 organizations from across the province are calling on #BCgov to take stronger action to reduce #climate pollution – after a groundbreaking opinion from the world's top court. ⚖️
Read the letter 👉 wcel.org/ICJforBC
Read the letter 👉 wcel.org/ICJforBC
Open Letter: Implications of International Court of Justice Opinion for BC | West Coast Environmental Law
In July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ground-breaking advisory opinion on the obligations of states in respect of climate change – finding that governments have a legal duty ...
wcel.org
August 20, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The @ccpa is happy to join with 33 organizations from across the province are calling on #BCgov to take stronger action to reduce #climate pollution – after a groundbreaking opinion from the world's top court. ⚖️
Read the letter 👉 wcel.org/ICJforBC
Read the letter 👉 wcel.org/ICJforBC
I'm quoted in this great article by @StefanLabbe on how extreme weather driven by climate change is affecting large scale sporting events and festivals. www.biv.com/news/hospita... via @BIVnews
Climate change is cancelling events, with Canadian sports among hardest hit, finds global study
New research shows extreme weather is increasingly cancelling festivals and sports, with Canada among the hardest-hit nations over two decades
www.biv.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I'm quoted in this great article by @StefanLabbe on how extreme weather driven by climate change is affecting large scale sporting events and festivals. www.biv.com/news/hospita... via @BIVnews
Reposted by Marc Lee
With Aug.1 looming, so important for Canadian negotiators to stay firm. A bad deal with Trump (with tariffs that would hit Canada harder than almost any other country) is worse than no deal at all. See our Centre for Future Work Cda report: centreforfuturework.ca/2025/07/22/a... #cdneon #canlab /2
A Bad Deal with Trump is Worse than No Deal at All - Centre for Future Work
Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. are continuing, as the revised August 1 deadline approaches. Reports indicate that despite Canadian concessions (on border security, defense spending, an...
centreforfuturework.ca
July 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
With Aug.1 looming, so important for Canadian negotiators to stay firm. A bad deal with Trump (with tariffs that would hit Canada harder than almost any other country) is worse than no deal at all. See our Centre for Future Work Cda report: centreforfuturework.ca/2025/07/22/a... #cdneon #canlab /2
Reposted by Marc Lee
"In 2022, the amount of gasoline sold in B.C. was not much different than in 2007, the year B.C. first legislated greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction targets. Diesel sales have grown in recent years" @marclee.bsky.social #cleanbc #bcpoli
New from @policyalternatives.ca A roadmap for renewing CleanBC—and the climate transition in British Columbia. By @marclee.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Climate policy at B.C.’s carbon crossroads: 10 steps for CleanBC renewal - CCPA
The end of 2025 will mark a decade since the Paris Agreement on climate change was negotiated. This review of the CleanBC plan is occurring in a different world. Even as the impacts of climate change ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
July 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"In 2022, the amount of gasoline sold in B.C. was not much different than in 2007, the year B.C. first legislated greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction targets. Diesel sales have grown in recent years" @marclee.bsky.social #cleanbc #bcpoli
Reposted by Marc Lee
'In spite of LNG development, B.C. can continue to make systemic changes in domestic transportation, buildings and industry, while using decarbonization to anchor new green industrial policies.' -- @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
New from @policyalternatives.ca A roadmap for renewing CleanBC—and the climate transition in British Columbia. By @marclee.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Climate policy at B.C.’s carbon crossroads: 10 steps for CleanBC renewal - CCPA
The end of 2025 will mark a decade since the Paris Agreement on climate change was negotiated. This review of the CleanBC plan is occurring in a different world. Even as the impacts of climate change ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
July 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
'In spite of LNG development, B.C. can continue to make systemic changes in domestic transportation, buildings and industry, while using decarbonization to anchor new green industrial policies.' -- @marclee.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
Reposted by Marc Lee
New from @policyalternatives.ca A roadmap for renewing CleanBC—and the climate transition in British Columbia. By @marclee.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Climate policy at B.C.’s carbon crossroads: 10 steps for CleanBC renewal - CCPA
The end of 2025 will mark a decade since the Paris Agreement on climate change was negotiated. This review of the CleanBC plan is occurring in a different world. Even as the impacts of climate change ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
July 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
New from @policyalternatives.ca A roadmap for renewing CleanBC—and the climate transition in British Columbia. By @marclee.bsky.social
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
My submission to the CleanBC review features ten big steps to get BC moving in the right direction on climate and energy:
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Climate policy at B.C.’s carbon crossroads: 10 steps for CleanBC renewal - CCPA
The end of 2025 will mark a decade since the Paris Agreement on climate change was negotiated. This review of the CleanBC plan is occurring in a different world. Even as the impacts of climate change ...
www.policyalternatives.ca
July 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM
My submission to the CleanBC review features ten big steps to get BC moving in the right direction on climate and energy:
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...