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Building a Sustainable, High-Value-Added Forestry Sector in B.C.
B.C.’s economy has always depended on its rich forests—from First Nations communities, through the early settler economy, to modern forestry practices and technologies. But in recent years the industry has been buffeted by a perfect storm of environmental, economic, and geopolitical challenges. Total production has declined by up to half in recent years, with devastating effects on employment, output, exports, and taxes. Dozens of remote and regional forest communities are unsure of their future, unless a viable and sustainable future for forestry can be achieved.
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Review of Gas Price Roller-Coaster in 2023 Revealed Important Lessons
As 2023 drew to a close, it wa3s instructive to review the path of gasoline prices (which are the most volatile major component in Canada’s consumer price index) over the year. According to the GasBuddy website, the average price on December 31 was $1.39/litre. That was 5₵ cheaper than at the beginning of 2023. But gas prices followed a long, winding road to get there.
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No Correlation Between Inflation and Carbon Pricing
Canadian conservatives have repeatedly tried to pin the blame for post-pandemic inflation on the present federal government, and even personally on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (with their ‘JustInflation’ label). The latest incarnation of that strategy claims the surge in inflation over the last two years is due to the federal carbon tax – which applies in those provinces (such as Ontario and Alberta) which have refused to participate directly in the Canada-wide carbon pricing system. In this report, originally published in Canadian Dimension magazine, Centre for Future Work Director Jim Stanford shows there is no empirical correlation or theoretical link between carbon taxes and economy-wide inflation. Top Ten Reasons We…
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Calling Canadian Energy Workers: Take Our Survey on Future Job Transitions
As part of our PowerShare research project on planning effective and fair transitions for workers through the coming transformation of energy systems, the Centre for Future Work has designed a survey for people currently working in any fossil fuel industry in Canada: including oil and gas production, oilfield services, coal mining, petrochemicals, natural gas distribution, and related sectors. The survey takes about 5 minutes, and gathers information on energy workers’ priorities for what types of policies would best support a gradual, supported labour transition – and what stakeholders (governments, fossil fuel companies, unions, or others) are best placed to lead and fund such a transition. If you work in a…
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Decarbonized Electrification Would Generate Significant Job Gains
A new report from the David Suzuki Foundation takes a deep dive into the employment gains that could be achieved through the rapid electrification of Canada’s economy, driven by the expansion of sustainable power generation and infrastructure. The new report, “Shifting Power: Zero-Emissions Electricity Across Canada by 2035”, estimates that 75,000 net new jobs would be created by the expansion of clean electricity generation and use over a 15-year period. This would contribute substantially to the attainment of Canada’s net-zero objectives, as well as to strengthening employment outcomes for Canadian workers as the economy shifts toward sustainable energy sources. Centre for Future Work Director Jim Stanford provided a supplementary analysis…
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Finance, Pensions, and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels
The Ontario Federation of Labour recently hosted Labour Confronts the Climate Crisis, a conference on the role of trade unions in fighting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve a fair transition for workers in fossil fuel industries, and encourage the expansion of sustainable industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and public transit. Speakers included Noam Chomsky, Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, Adrienne Buller, Seth Klein, and Simon Donner. As part of the conference, Centre for Future Work Director Jim Stanford gave a keynote presentation on the economics of energy transition, and the role of pension funds in supporting stronger climate policies and investments in sustainable industries. Here is a video of…
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Submission to Federal ‘Just Transition’ Consultation
The Centre for Future Work has made a submission to a public consultation hosted by Natural Resources Canada regarding the federal government’s future strategies for supporting the transition of fossil fuel jobs into alternative activities. The government asked for public input regarding the scope of the transition challenge, best practices for facilitating a gradual and supported transition, and potential future initiatives (like a proposed Advisory Body to advise federal transition policy). The submission was prepared by Jim Stanford, Director of the Centre for Future Work. It drew on extensive research published by the Centre earlier this year: Employment Transitions and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels. Major themes stressed in the…
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Cryptocurrencies: The Most Useless Speculative Bubble Ever
The financial pages of newspapers continue to be obsessed with the violent ups and downs of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. And Canadian financial regulators have recently started to crack down on some of that industry’s ‘Wild West’ marketing tactics. In this commentary, originally published in the Toronto Star, Centre for Future Work Director Jim Stanford questions whether these digital products have any useful value whatsoever – and urges policy-makers to actively discourage crypto-speculation in favour of policies promoting actual jobs and production. Good Riddance to the Cryptotraders by Jim Stanford Binance runs one of the largest cryptocurrency trading operations in the world – helping customers speculate on the wild price…
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The Contradictions of ‘Caring Capitalism’
Many companies these days try to promote a ‘socially responsible’ image: giving money to charities, speaking broadly about ‘stakeholders’ and ‘sustainability’, and even joining debates about issues like racism. But when it comes to their own bottom lines, few diverge from the fundamental goals of minimizing costs, avoiding taxes, and maximizing profits – regardless of the harm that might result to their workers, communities, or the environment. In this commentary, originally published in the Toronto Star, Jim Stanford takes aim at contradictions of this ‘kinder, gentler’ image corporations are trying to create. His jumping-off point is Hasbro’s effort to improve the image of its iconic Monopoly board game. The commentary…
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Media and Video Coverage of Fossil Fuel Transition Report
The Centre for Future Work recently released a major report, commissioned by Environmental Defence, analyzing the labour market implications of the accelerating transition to renewable energy systems and away from fossil fuels. The report generated significant media coverage and related video and educational resources. Here are some links: Commentary in Globe and Mail summarizing main arguments. Feature on CBC TV’s Power and Politics discussing fossil fuel transitions in light of the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. Dr. Jim Stanford on Power and Politics Feature on CBC Radio’s What on Earth program discussing the report and how fair employment transitions can be supported. Feature article in Alberta Politics on…