-
The False Doctrine of the ‘Labour Shortage’
A common argument that Canada faces a severe ‘labour shortage’ is being invoked to justify regressive policies in many areas: including higher interest rates, record-high (but exploitive) immigration programs, and pushing back the normal retirement age. In this column, originally published in the Toronto Star, Centre for Future Work Director Jim Stanford shows that Canada has not ‘run out’ of workers. Forcibly creating a cushion of surplus labour (through policies to compel labour supply or restrict labour demand) will make life easier for corporate HR managers. But they will undermine the life changes of millions. Humans are not Widgets, and we aren’t in ‘Short Supply’ By Jim Stanford Busy people…
-
Stanford for Agriculture Committee on Food Prices and Profits
The Centre for Future Work’s Director, Jim Stanford, appeared as an invited expert witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on February 13, as part of the committee’s inquiry into food price inflation. Here is the formal submission Dr. Stanford tabled along with his testimony. The evidence was based on analysis of Statistics Canada industry-wide data on revenues and profits in the broad food retail sector. The data confirms that aggregate profits have doubled since pre-pandemic norms, profit margins (relative to total revenues) have increased by about three-quarters, and that the real quantity of groceries purchased by Canadians has been shrinking in the face of…