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@meta4site.bsky.social
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Veteran Wikipedia editor, visual artist, lifelong learner
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www.propublica.org/article/zolg...
February 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
This is what it looks like this morning! It looks like X And the links do not work!
There is a circle with a $ sign in the centre. "Latest work" does not work. The tiny letters at the top, white against the X black background, read "An official website of the United States government" The "Savings" link leads to the statement "Receipts coming over the weekend!", The org chart has this caution "his is DOGE's effort to create a comprehensive, government-wide org chart. This is an enormous effort, and there are likely some errors or omissions. We will continue to strive for maximum accuracy over time." "Regulations" include a word count?
February 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
Thankfully, a simple Google Image search correctly assigns your work to you. I am not an economist, so I asked #PerplexityAI if the claims made by Poilievre in the post that used your graph were true. His claim lacks support... Your thoughts?
Pierre Poilievre's claim regarding Canada's income levels under Mark Carney's policies requires a nuanced examination of the data. Income Trends in Canada 1. Income Comparison: Poilievre asserts that Canada's income is smaller than in 2018 and has dropped more than any other G7 country. However, recent reports indicate that real median before-tax income in Canada has actually grown by 3.1% since 2019, and real median weekly earnings are 6% higher than in 2019. This suggests that, contrary to Poilievre's claim, income levels have not only remained stable but have increased since 2018. 2. Disposable Income Growth: Additionally, real disposable income per capita has risen by 4.8% since 2019, marking Canada as having the second-fastest growth in this metric among G7 countries, only behind the United States. This further counters the assertion of a decline. G7 Comparisons 3. G7 Income Dynamics: While it is true that there have been fluctuations in income growth across G7 nations, Canada has not experienced the steepest declines. Instead, it has shown resilience with positive growth in real wages, even outperforming the U.S. in terms of wage growth relative to inflation over recent months. 4. Economic Growth Projections: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Canada will have one of the strongest economic growth rates among G7 countries in the coming years, indicating a positive outlook for Canadian incomes moving forward. Conclusion In summary, while Poilievre's statement reflects concerns about income growth under Carney's policies, the evidence suggests that real incomes and disposable incomes have actually increased since 2018. Therefore, his claim lacks support from current economic data and trends observed in Canada compared to other G7 nations.
January 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
20241221 podcast #Poilievre: "all the #SocialistPolicies, in practice, take from/redistribute from the working class to the wealthy, in practice, and I can prove that again and again." #JordanPeterson interrupts, "but not in theory", and Poilievre again repeats, "in practice" What his critics say:
Critics argue that Poilievre's policies, contrary to his claims, would actually benefit the wealthy and harm working-class Canadians. The main arguments against his redistribution policies include: Tax cuts primarily benefit the rich: Poilievre's proposed tax cuts, including potential elimination of capital gains tax, would disproportionately benefit high-income earners and corporations rather than ordinary Canadians. Reduced social spending: His focus on "core services" and cutting government spending would likely lead to reduced funding for crucial social programs like healthcare, education, and family supports. Weakening of social safety nets: Proposals to cut Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums would leave workers more vulnerable to retirement insecurity and poverty during unemployment. Exacerbating inequality: Critics argue that Poilievre's policies would increase inequality, which is shown to reduce social mobility, contrary to his stated goals. Ignoring corporate "greedflation": While Poilievre focuses on government spending as a cause of inflation, critics point out that he ignores corporate price gouging as a significant factor. Starving government resources: Tax cuts could reduce the government's ability to respond to crises and fund necessary public services, disproportionately affecting lower-income individuals who rely more on these services. Critics contend that Poilievre's approach represents a "politics of abandonment" that would ultimately harm the working class while benefiting the wealthy, despite his populist rhetoric. https://financialpost.com/opinion/terence-corcoran-pierre-poilievres-not-so-free-trade-ideas https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2023/09/08/Defeat-Poilievre-Politics-Abandonment/ https://canadianlabour.ca/poilievre-and-the-conservatives-cant-be-trusted-to-stand-up-for-workers/ https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/pierre-poilievres-vision-for-canada-heaven-for-the-very-rich-and-squat-for-everyone-else/ar…
January 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
meta4site.bsky.social
Same Playbook in Canada's #OrphanWells as described in #ProPublica 's #OilIndustry Playbook by @MarkOlalde In 1990, the US DOI described how to avoid taxpayers paying for orphan wells. www.documentcloud.org/documents/25... In Canada and the US, this was largely ignored. It will cost us billions
In Alberta, Canada, orphan wells are inactive oil or gas well sites without a solvent owner who can be held accountable for decommissioning and reclamation obligations. The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), funded entirely by industry, oversees the licensing and enforcement of oil and gas wells throughout their lifecycle. Oil and gas licensees are responsible for the safe closure and clean-up of their well sites under the Polluter Pays Principle. This liability extends 25 years after a site reclamation certificate is issued, with lifelong liability for contamination. The Orphan Well Association (OWA), established in 2002, manages some orphan wells. However, the OWA's inventory excludes legacy wells, which are more complex and costly to remediate. Following the 2014 oil price downturn, a surge of orphaned wells, facilities, and pipelines resulted from bankruptcies. As of 2023, oil and gas companies owe rural municipalities $268 million in unpaid taxes and significant lease payments to landowners. Some original well owners failed to fulfill their decommissioning responsibilities, while others sold wells to insolvent operators. Landowners face both environmental and economic consequences from these orphan wells on their property. The OWA is underfunded by at least several hundred million dollars. The total estimated cost for cleaning up all existing sites could reach $260 billion, with remediation currently funded through federal and provincial support, contradicting the Polluter Pays Principle.
January 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
#CanadianEconomy is performing well and outpacing expectations. In 2023, Canada's GDP reached $2.14 trillion USD, making it the tenth-largest economy globally. The economy grew by 1.1% in 2023, exceeding forecasts. Canada maintains the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, standing at 13% in 2023.
Canada's economy is performing well and outpacing expectations. In 2023, Canada's GDP reached $2.14 trillion USD, making it the tenth-largest economy globally. The economy grew by 1.1% in 2023, exceeding forecasts. Recent Economic Indicators - GDP Growth: Real GDP rose 0.5% in Q2 2024, following a 0.4% increase in - Inflation: As of September 2024, inflation stood at 1.6%, within the Bank of Canada's target range of 1-3%. - Employment: Canada had the highest employment growth (2.4%) among G7 countries in 2023. - Projections: The economy is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2024 and 2.4% in 2025, among the strongest growth rates in the G7. Key Economic Sectors Canada's largest industries by GDP contribution are: 1. Real estate, rental, and leasing: $266 billion CAD 2. Manufacturing: $196 billion CAD 3. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction: $160 billion CAD International Trade International trade is crucial to Canada's economy, with exports and imports each comprising about one-third of GDP. The United States remains Canada's largest trading partner, accounting for 77% of goods exported and 49% of goods imported. Fiscal Strength Canada maintains the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, standing at 13% in 2023. This fiscal strength, combined with a resilient labor market and solid household and business balance sheets, has helped the economy weather the impacts of higher interest rates. * https://www.budget.canada.ca/2024/report-rapport/overview-apercu-en.html * https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/042315/fundamentals-how-canada-makes-its-money.asp * https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/economist-economiste/analysis-analyse/key_facts-faits_saillants.aspx?lang=eng * https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2024010/article/00001-eng.htm
January 1, 2025 at 1:22 AM
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#EndOfOil "California has taken a sharp green turn in recent decades...By 2030, 60% of its utilities’ power must come from renewables." Thanks to @economist subscriber's gift and sharing option, I can share this link with you www.economist.com/christmas-sp...
January 1, 2025 at 1:06 AM
meta4site.bsky.social
There are many sound arguments for further investigation. There are a number of Canadian federal government responses to the Covid pandemic that did lower the death rate in Canada. How much of the slow reaction and abandoning of protections come down to provincial public policies?
The Canadian federal government implemented several key measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to a lower death rate in Canada compared to other countries, such as the United States. Here are some of the significant actions taken: • Public Health Measures and Coordination o The federal government activated the Emergency Operation Centre on January 15, 2020, and triggered the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan to coordinate efforts across the country[2][4][8]. o A Special Advisory Committee on the Novel Coronavirus was established to advise Deputy Ministers of Health on coordination, public health policy, and technical content related to the outbreak[2]. • Border Control and Travel Restrictions o Canada closed its non-U.S. international borders to non-residents on March 16, 2020, and later closed the border with the United States on March 20, 2020, to reduce the risk of imported cases[6]. • Testing and Health Infrastructure o Off-site screening facilities, such as temporary testing clinics, were set up to avoid overwhelming hospital emergency departments. Drive-through testing centers were also established to facilitate testing without the need for individuals to leave their vehicles[1]. o The government supported the development of faster and more reliable tests, backed by academic and industrial research experts[1]. • Financial and Economic Support o A more than $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund was established, which included investments in enhanced surveillance, increased testing, and support for preparedness in First Nations and Inuit communities. Additional funding was provided for research and development, including vaccine development and clinical trials[4][6]. o The government provided significant financial support for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies for provinces and territories[4]. • Vaccination Efforts o Canada's vaccine rollout, although initially slow, surged ahead by mid-… • Social Restrictions and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions o The government implemented various non-pharmaceutical interventions such as stay-at-home orders, quarantine initiatives, and closures of non-essential businesses and schools. These measures helped in reducing cases, hospitalizations, and mortality rates[8][9]. • Isolation and Quarantine Support o The federal government funded voluntary isolation sites, providing over $100 million for these programs to ensure people had safe places to quarantine or isolate, particularly in high-risk areas like Peel Region in Ontario[3]. • Universal Healthcare System o Canada's universal and publicly-funded healthcare system was a critical factor in the lower death rate. This system ensured that people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, had access to healthcare, which was highlighted as a key reason for Canada's better performance compared to the U.S.[5][7]. o These comprehensive measures, combining public health interventions, economic support, and a robust healthcare system, contributed significantly to Canada's lower COVID-19 death rate. o Citations: o [1]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8297373/ o [2]https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.28.24309653v1.full o [3]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8326669/ o [4]https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/11/prime-minister-outlines-canadas-covid-19-response o [5]https://www.healthcoalition.ca/our-public-health-care-system-saved-many-more-canadians-from-covid-19-compared-to-americas-system/ o [6]https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/services/publications/economic-fiscal-snapshot/overview-economic-response-plan.html o [7]https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1615 o [8]https://www.cpha.ca/review-canadas-initial-response-covid-19-pandemic o [9]https://globalnews.ca/news/10241019/quebec-study-covid-measures-effective/ o [10]https://www.perplexity.ai/elections/2024-11-05/us/president
December 14, 2024 at 8:29 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
@iisd.bsky.social #InternationalInstituteForSustainableDevelopment www.iisd.org/system/files...
Declining Global Demand and Falling Oil Prices Canadian oil producers face significant threats from declining global demand for oil and falling oil prices. Global demand is expected to peak around 2030 and then decline, which will lead to lower oil prices and increased volatility. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global oil demand will increase by only 900,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2024 and 950,000 b/d in 2025, which is a sharp slowdown from the 2 million b/d growth seen in 2023. Dependence on U.S. Refineries Almost all Canadian oil exports go to U.S. refineries, which will initially shield Canada from the worst of the decline in demand. However, this buffer is not sustainable in the long term as global demand and prices continue to drop. Cost Disadvantage Canadian oil producers have higher production costs compared to major Middle Eastern producers, who have large reserves and lower production costs. This cost disadvantage makes it unlikely for Canada to compete in a market where producers are vying to sell the last barrel of oil. In 2024, while global oil prices are expected to remain relatively stable around $80 per barrel, the cost structure for Canadian producers does not change significantly. The WCS price, for instance, averaged around $57.9 per barrel in October 2024, which, although higher than previous months, still reflects the premium needed to cover the higher production costs. In summary, the cost disadvantage for Canadian oil producers relative to major Middle Eastern producers continues to be a significant factor in 2024, making it challenging for Canada to compete in a market where producers are vying to sell oil at the lowest possible price. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance Canadian oil producers' ESG performance does not influence their market share since the refineries buying the oil are primarily concerned with the product itself, not the producers' ESG credentials. Refineries, particularly those i… In the post-peak market, marginal Canadian producers will not survive, and even efficient producers will see low profits, leading to reduced royalties and taxes. The sector will likely shed a large number of workers due to cost-cutting and a lack of new investments. Overall, these factors indicate that Canada is unlikely to sell the last barrel of oil due to its cost disadvantages, dependence on a declining market, and the anticipated volatility in global oil prices. The global oil market is experiencing a slowdown in demand growth, partly due to economic challenges in key countries like China and the increasing adoption of alternative energy sources. This slower demand growth will lead to a more competitive market where producers with lower costs will have an advantage. Canadian producers, with their higher costs, are less likely to be competitive in this environment. Even efficient Canadian oil producers are expected to see low profits in a post-peak market. The profitability of the sector has been strong in recent years, driven by high oil prices and the completion of projects like the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion. However, as oil prices stabilize or decline, and with the anticipated slowdown in global demand, profits are likely to decrease. Lower profits will result in reduced royalties and taxes for the Canadian government, as the revenue generated from oil production diminishes. The oil and gas sector in Canada is already experiencing job cuts due to various factors, including technological advancements, cost-cutting measures, and the economic downturn. As the industry adjusts to a new reality of slower growth and higher costs, it is likely to shed a large number of workers. The lack of new investments, particularly if global oil prices remain volatile or decline, will further exacerbate this trend. Automation and technological changes are also reducing the need for labor in the upstream oil and gas business. Global oil prices are expected to be volatile,…
December 7, 2024 at 5:46 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
Strategies to address #ConspiracyTheories #ScientificLiteracy #ScientificKnowledge undermine conspiracy beliefs #JournalOfConsumerResearch academic.oup.com/jcr/article/...
{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1093/jcr/ucae024| issn = 0093-5301| volume = 51| issue = 4| pages = 656–678| last1 = Allred| first1 = Nathan| last2 = Bolton| first2 = Lisa E| title = Conspiracy Beliefs and Consumption: The Role of Scientific Literacy| journal = Journal of Consumer Research| access-date = 2024-12-07| date = 2024-12-01| url = https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucae024}} "Finally, our research contributes to marketing literature and practice by investigating how scientific literacy and conspiracy beliefs affect individual, business, and societal welfare (e.g., health, sustainability). We provide evidence for the harmful role of conspiracy beliefs in consumer behavior, and we show how scientific literacy can undermine such harmful beliefs; we also test the potential effectiveness of interventions to undermine conspiracy beliefs. While prior research suggests that educational interventions are often ineffective or backfire (Scholderer and Frewer 2003; Sturgis, Brunton-Smith, and Fife-Schaw 2010), we demonstrate that interventions targeting cognitive deficits in scientific literacy can be effective. Building on an emerging body of business research (Oliver 2020), we provide guidance to managers and public policymakers on mitigating the harmful consequences of conspiracy theories. Specifically, public policy and business should adopt a multi-pronged approach that delivers focused interventions in an effective and timely manner while also working to promote scientific literacy among consumers."
December 7, 2024 at 4:52 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/fir... #PathwaysAlliance world's largest network of #CarbonCapture #CCS 20+ #oilsands facilities + 400 k pipeline to an underground storage hub in the #ColdLake area. CCS is 10 more $$$$ than renewables; captured only 0.1% globally; is used to extract more oil
The effectiveness of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a topic of significant debate among experts, with varying perspectives and evidence. Support for CCS Some experts and studies suggest that CCS can be a valuable tool in reducing GHG emissions. For instance, the World Economic Forum highlights that CCS technology has the potential to capture and store significant amounts of CO2, with the global CCS market expected to grow rapidly. CCS is seen as crucial for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industries, and it is projected that up to 10 GtCO2 could need to be removed annually by 2050 to meet climate goals1. The MIT Climate Portal notes that CCS projects typically target 90% efficiency in capturing CO2, although achieving higher efficiencies becomes increasingly expensive and energy-intensive4. Criticisms and Limitations Critics argue that CCS has several significant limitations. For example, despite decades of development, CCS has captured only a very small fraction of global emissions. In 2022, only 0.1% of CO2 was captured, and it is estimated that global uptake of CCS must expand 120 times by 2050 to meet net-zero targets12. The David Suzuki Foundation and a study by Mark Z. Jacobson at Stanford University point out that CCS is often used to extract more oil, thereby increasing overall emissions. Additionally, CCS is one of the most expensive ways to reduce emissions, often costing up to 10 times more than using renewable energy sources like wind and solar23. Jacobson's research also highlights that when considering upstream emissions, the actual efficiency of CCS is much lower than the commonly cited 85-90%. His study found that CCS equipment captured only 10-11% of the total CO2 equivalent emissions over 20 years, including upstream emissions3. Conclusion While there is some evidence supporting the potential of CCS to reduce GHG emissions, there are also significant criticisms and limitations. The consensus amo…
December 4, 2024 at 7:43 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
@aleach.ca 2024 Canadian Association of Energy Contractors CAOEC predicted 6,604 wells to be drilled in Western Canada in 2025, a 7.3% increase from 2023 > highest drilling activity since 2014-2015 commodity price downturn Does this have relevance to Deloitte study? #NotAnEconomist bit.ly/4f2nyOm
Andrew Leach: "I hadn't realized until now that, in the Deloitte study of the oil and gas cap implications for oil production, they report a "decrease" in production but that's relative to CER business-as-usual. Their forecast, under the cap, is 4.6 million barrels per day of AB prod'n in 2030."
December 3, 2024 at 6:49 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
#Wikipedia #AddAFact #GenerativeAI When you select the article, the app generates the following and adds it automatically to the relevant talk page. The text added to the talk page includes the quoted text as well as the complete and accurate Wikipedia template for the reference.
December 2, 2024 at 10:34 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
Wikipedia's Add a Fact is a GenerativeAI experiment. Add the Add a Fact extension, and the side panel opens when you read a reliable source. Select the "fact" you want to add to Wikipedia, the App will fact check the text, and search for relevant existing Wikipedia articles.
Add the following to the talk page of Conspiracy theory I found a fact that might belong in this article. See the quote below. Brief scientific literacy interventions, especially those that focus on critical thinking skills, may help to undermine conspiracy beliefs and behaviors before the conspiracy theories have a chance to take root, according to a team led by Penn State researchers. The fact comes from the following source: https://spotlightmagazine.ca/2024/12/02/brief-scientific-literacy-interventions-may-quash-new-conspiracy-theories/ Add A Fact will generate a reference for you.
December 2, 2024 at 10:32 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
responsiblestatecraft.org/dedollarizat... #dedollarization #BRIC #BypassSWIFT I am not advocating for this, just looking at possible outcomes. The likelihood of BRICS countries moving away from the US dollar is significant, driven by various factors and recent developments.
The likelihood of BRICS countries moving away from the US dollar is significant, driven by various factors and recent developments. BRICS nations are discussing and exploring alternatives to the US dollar, including a new reserve currency potentially backed by a basket of their currencies or gold. They are reducing their use of the US dollar in cross-border transactions and increasing regional trade. BRICS countries might issue public statements, engage in diplomatic negotiations, and impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. They could accelerate efforts to diversify trade relationships, enhance economic integration among themselves, and develop alternative financial systems. Russia has been pushing for a new payment system to bypass SWIFT, which could be accelerated to reduce reliance on U.S.-dominated financial systems. BRICS nations might intensify efforts to dedollarize by creating a new currency or alternative financial instruments, such as commodity-backed currencies, to reduce dependence on the US dollar. BRICS countries will focus on building economic resilience through diversification, technological innovation, and domestic industry development. They will continue to advocate for a multipolar global financial system, promoting the use of multiple currencies in international trade and finance. While the complete move away from the US dollar is a gradual process, BRICS countries are making significant strides towards reducing their dependence on it, driven by both internal initiatives and external pressures like Trump's tariff threats.
November 30, 2024 at 9:25 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
www.frontiersin.org/journals/soc... #PublicDiscourse and wilful incommensurability: a case for attentive free speech #FrontiersMediaSA
The central thesis of this paper is that society is generally afflicted by a culture of wilful incommensurability, recognizing that this condition is far more pronounced in some contexts than in others (recalling the caveats outlined in Section 2). There are four core, overlapping features, or tendencies, of this culture: both totalizing and expressive safetyism, dismissive intransigence, and polarized alienation. Owing to these features, we are largely in a condition in which we—or many among us in our liberal public sphere—are inclined to obstinately talk past one another. Encased in our ideological paradigms or factional worldviews, we make little or no attempt to see eye to eye let alone learn from each other. Instead, we are prone to engaging in degraded speech because we find security and meaning—counterproductive and obdurate as it may be—in perpetuating the impasses we have erected between ourselves.
November 29, 2024 at 6:28 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
nationalpost.com/news/politic... The $334B figure is unrealistic; ignored "windup" valuation practices; 53% is disproportionate; doesn't account for interprovincial worker migration; Smaller APP = greater risks;
• Nov AIMCo board changes raise major concerns about APP governance/independence
The $334 billion figure claimed in the LifeWorks report for Alberta's entitlement upon withdrawal from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is widely considered unrealistic for several reasons: The LifeWorks report's methodology has been criticized by experts for not following standard actuarial practices for failing to use a "windup" valuation, which is the appropriate method for assessing the financial consequences of a provincial departure from the CPP. Also, the report did not consult directly with the CPP Chief Actuary or Alberta's own pension regulator, which could have provided crucial guidance on proper valuation methods. The proposed allocation of 53% of CPP assets to Alberta is highly disproportionate. Alberta represents only about 15% of the total CPP plan membership. Experts, such as Expert Panel on Income Security, say that a fair payment should reflect Alberta's actual share of CPP contributions over the years, which would amount to much less. The report fails to adequately account for important demographic and economic considerations. For example, it does not fully address the impact of worker migration between provinces, which is crucial given Alberta's reliance on workers from other parts of Canada. The report acknowledges limitations in assessing the impact of benefits earned in Alberta being paid out in other provinces. An Alberta Pension Plan (APP) based on the LifeWorks report's assumptions would face significant challenges including, a smaller population base and narrower economic foundation would expose an APP to greater risks of adverse experience compared to the CPP. The proposed lower contribution rate (5.91% vs. 9.54% for CPP) may not be sustainable in the long term due to these increased risks. This risk increases now that AIMCo’s entire board has been replaced by former Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, in what was described as a departure from the traditional Canadian pension model, which emphasizes independence and political neutrality.
November 25, 2024 at 12:15 AM
meta4site.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un... Musk targeted Ashley Thomas, U.S. International Finance Corporation climate diversification director saying her job was a fake job. This action has raised concerns about potential harassment and cyberbullying of government employees.
Ashley Thomas is the Director of Climate Diversification at the U.S. International Finance Corporation, a role that involves developing strategies to protect agriculture and infrastructure from severe weather events. Her position focuses on reducing the impact of climate change on various sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, to ensure food security and economic stability. Prior to her current role, Thomas worked on innovative projects, including an attempt to create drinking water from air. She has also published research in the scientific journal Nature. Despite the recent controversy, Thomas's work in climate diversification is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on various economic sectors and ensure food security.
November 24, 2024 at 4:34 AM
meta4site.bsky.social
#AI The period of restructuring within the #CanadianPublicSservice is expected to include c. 5,000 lay-offs, as well as labour disputes, and a change in how government services are delivered. The full impact of these changes will have significant developments anticipated in the next 3 months.
Over the next three months, Canada's public service sector is bracing for significant cutbacks as the federal government moves to reduce spending and streamline operations. The plan to trim approximately 5,000 full-time positions over four years, initially proposed to be achieved through natural attrition, now appears to include potential layoffs affecting temporary, casual, and even permanent staff. This shift in approach is already evident with the Canada Revenue Agency's announcement of 600 temporary position eliminations by mid-December 2024, setting a precedent that other departments may follow. The Treasury Board's directive to save $15 billion over four years has led to stringent measures across federal departments. These include hiring freezes, restrictions on promotions, and limitations on non-critical overtime. Agencies such as the CRA and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada are implementing these measures, which could impact thousands of workers. The ripple effects of these decisions are expected to be felt across various government services in the coming months. Public service unions have voiced strong opposition to these cutbacks, arguing that they will inevitably compromise the quality and availability of services provided to Canadians. The Public Service Alliance of Canada has pledged to fight against these cuts, emphasizing the need for a robust public service rather than a diminished workforce. Unions are calling for transparency and consultation in the decision-making process, highlighting concerns about increased workloads for remaining employees and potential degradation of service quality. As federal departments finalize their plans to meet budget targets, the landscape for public service workers remains uncertain. The coming months are likely to see further announcements regarding layoffs and service reductions across various government sectors.
November 23, 2024 at 11:58 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
Because I have an account with @nytimes.com , I can share @ianausten.bsky.social 's article about #AIMCo #CPP #StephenHarper will oversee $161B in assets, including pensions and the Heritage Savings Trust Fund www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/w...
The Canadian pension model, pioneered by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan during the 1990s, is based on the principle that funds should be managed independently of both governments and unions and free of political interference. It calls for independent boards whose members are experienced in investments and finance. And to ensure that the best people manage funds, most Canadian pension plans pay fund managers salaries on the scale of those offered for similar positions at banks, private equity firms and other private sector firms. Those high salaries sometimes draw complaints from politicians. But Mr. Ambachtsheer said that the politically independent Canadian system justified them with returns that have not only more than covered pension obligations, but have also sometimes allowed pension contributions by employees to be lowered. The salaries may be partly behind the shift in Alberta. In a news release announcing the firings, Alberta said that it “has seen significant increases in operating costs, management fees and staffing without a corresponding increase to return on investment.” The change at AIMCo, which manages 161 billion Canadian dollars, shook the pension world. “In my history of being in this space, it’s unique,” Keith Ambachtsheer, emeritus director of the Toronto-based International Centre for Pension Management, told me, describing the purge as “Soviet style.”
November 23, 2024 at 7:09 PM
meta4site.bsky.social
dailynous.com/2024/11/20/a... This fascinating, useful, and free tool edhiphy.org (Enriched Data for the History of Philosophy) answers the question—who was the most mentioned philosopher in English philosophy journals in the 1910s—more popular than Aristotle, Kant, or Hegel? Henri Bergson
November 20, 2024 at 6:29 PM