Robert J. Currie: Alberta’s separation from Canada would be illegal policyoptions.irpp.org/2026/02/albe...

Are you a person receiving AISH or living with a disability in AB? I'm leading a research study on the economic well-being of AISH clients/PWDs and would welcome your participation. Please click the link below to learn more & sign up #Alberta #AISH #ADAP #disability docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

What will the distributional effects of the new Canada Groceries and Essential Benefit (CGEB) be? In both 2026 and 2027, families/persons in the 3rd and 4th income deciles will receive the largest additional benefits. #CDNpoli #Canada

I've been analyzing the new Groceries and Essentials Benefit which basically increases the GST/HST Credit - and I have some numbers. These are based on Bill C-19 and are calculated for the 2026 calendar year using SPSD/M (v. 30.3). #CDNpoli A 🧵....

@gillianpetit.bsky.social wrote about doing such a thing in more detail back in 2024 here policyoptions.irpp.org/2024/04/welf...

As promised -- something quick on the GST Credit revamp and today's announcement on food affordability. open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...

Le programme d'abordabilité annoncé s'aligne avec les recommandations de l'IRPP + @affordabilityac.bsky.social sur l'accessibilité financière et l'insécurité alimentaire: restructurer et élargir le crédit pour la TPS/TVH pour soutenir les ménages à faible revenu. 🔗 irpp.org/fr/research-...

Today's announcement by Mark Carney & François-Philippe Champagne on a Groceries and Essentials Benefit is welcome news. Targeted income supports are one of the most effective tools for helping households manage rising costs. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...

Note that caretakers and those with legal authority are encouraged to help eligible potential participants in this research study (if requested/required). It is an online survey.

We are launching a new research study on the economic status of persons on income assistance and/or persons with disabilities in Alberta. Link if eligible/interested: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We are launching a new research study on the economic status of persons on income assistance and/or persons with disabilities in Alberta. Link if eligible/interested: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

What is happening in AB? Since Dec. 31, 2025, the Family Violence Death Review Committee has been eliminated, AISH is being dismantled, and now the ALB. Not to mention all the unrest in education and health. Any more specific examples of cuts to social spending I'm missing? #abpoli

Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs received $1.6B in 2024 albertaworker.ca/news/canadas...

As a mediocre runner in Alberta, this resonates. The Government of Alberta and its Fairness and Safety in Sport policy single out, exclude and harm transgender people. It doesn't protect athletes. No one has human rights until and unless everyone has human rights calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

Some thoughtful charts in this years Globe and Mail Charts to Watch 2026 - including one of my own. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...

Happy to appear in the 2026 Charts to Watch with @lindsaytedds.bsky.social @gillianpetit.bsky.social @viet.bsky.social and more www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/915a4b6... #giftlink

The Alberta Worker is on track to hit almost $27,000 in donations and subscriptions for all of 2025. With your help, it could pass $30,000. But there are only 2 weeks left. Please donate. Or become a monthly subscriber. Every dollar helps. albertaworker.ca/support

In "Poverty segmentation: The challenge of the 'working poor'," I challenge the misconception that poverty doesn't happen to people who work. The reality is that the largest group of people living in poverty in Canada are working or live in families who work. maytree.com/publications...

Please consider writing to your MLA and asking them to vote against Bill 12. Please also consider signing the open letter asking the government to cancel ADAP. actionnetwork.org/petitions/8d...

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Today, Bill 12, introduced the Alberta UCP government, will be voted on (second reading). Bill 12 proposes changes to AISH. #abpoli #ableg #disabilities docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files...

The UCP tabled Bill 12 today. Among other things, it sets out the new legislation for the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). I'm still skimming but I'll note the big changes. #abpoli #Alberta #ableg docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files...

Really smart piece on how to think about democracy amidst the failure of shared knowledge.

Check this out! New website and great piece from @gillianpetit.bsky.social in @policyoptions.irpp.org Automatic tax filing: Welcome news for lower-income Canadians, but there’s more to do | The Canadian Tax Observatory canadiantaxobservatory.ca/automatic-ta...

I recently joined We Advocate to discuss Alberta’s new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and what it could mean for people currently on AISH. We dug into the numbers, the government’s promises, and the realities for Albertans with disabilities. #ABpoli open.spotify.com/episode/1gvw...

Out today with @irpp.org: Automatic tax filing: Welcome news for lower-income Canadians, but there’s more to do. irpp.org/research-stu...

Great analysis by @gillianpetit.bsky.social irpp.org/research-stu...

Woo hoo! Paper acceptance day! Mine and @lindsaytedds.bsky.social paper "Income and Social Supports: An Inclusive Systems-Based Approach to Cash Transfer Program Design" will be published in an upcoming volume of Canadian Public Admin.

Hunger Count 2025 is out. It paints a harrowing picture of food bank use and food insecurity. Food bank visits have gone up by 5.2% since 2024 and 99.4% since 2019. Here are some interesting statisitcs for AB: #abpoli #CDNpoli @foodbankscanada.bsky.social content.foodbankscanada.ca/wordpress/20...

ok #abpoli hive mind - has there been a recent change to the Continuing Care Act? Last week we were working on getting my dad on a list for a continuing care home. This week AHS has said we can't put him on a list b/c "new legislation". What are they talking about? @thebreakdownab.bsky.social #ableg

The "it's 1995" panic is in full swing. I wrote my first letter to the editor circa 1994 agreeing that there was a public finance problem, but advising not to make cutting subsistence to poor people the solution. After 1995, draconian social assistance cuts ensued. By 2003, the data were in. +

In order to test public priorities, our survey forced a choice: either to maintain government funding for child care centres or eliminate this funding in favour of giving all parents a break on their taxes. Guess what we found? www.environicsinstitute.org/projects/pro...

Hey folks please take a look at this and consider filing it out, because if you don't you can be sure the tax software lobby industry is! The CRAis starting to consult on automatic tax filing in Canada. Let's get this done! cra-arc-survey-sondage.ca/f/s.aspx?s=d...

This is awful. Shame on them! Note that the engagement period for ADAP is still open. The survey is here: your.alberta.ca/adap/surveys... Tell them how disgusting this is. #abpoli #abgov

The @albertaucp.bsky.social released the Discussion Guide for the proposed ADAP program this week. I wrote a couple thoughts about it. #abpoli @albertandp.ca gillianpetit.substack.com/p/the-new-al...

The @albertaucp.bsky.social released the Discussion Guide for the proposed ADAP program this week. I wrote a couple thoughts about it. #abpoli @albertandp.ca gillianpetit.substack.com/p/the-new-al...

The Tyee spoke to seven of Kulbir Kaila’s co-workers, who all say they believe an excessive workload, strenuous working conditions and a lack of support for existing health conditions contributed to her death.

Good news! Now lets keep it this way! And maybe beat Denmark while we're at it (too ambitious? 😅)

Out today in collaboration with @scpartners.bsky.social: a look at GDP per capita and how temporary residents affect this measure for Canada. Bottom line: a rapid increase in NPRs has decreased GDP per capita but this doesn't mean our economy shrunk socialcapitalpartners.ca/non-permanen...

GDP per capita is a deeply flawed measurement for evaluating rich countries and is easily influenced by factors that have zilch to do with economic well-being. How's 🍁economy? New research shows it's about the same as Germany, the UK and Aus. Read more at: tinyurl.com/4bjdyccb

It’s been a long few days. Starting Saturday morning, I ran 26 loops of the Grassroots Backyard = 174.46km. This was a PB for me, I was the last woman standing, and I set a course record for women. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing crew and support from my local park runners.

For anyone attending the @canadianeconoassoc.bsky.social conference, I will be presenting mine & @lindsaytedds.bsky.social paper on property assessment equity in Alberta at Friday @ 2pm in R-R120. Barry Watson (Acadia) & Selvia Arshad (UofC) are also in my session #EconSky #CanadaEcon #PropertyTax

Attention #EconSky #CanadaEcon: CEA has a new reception this year! Come join us for the CWEC/CFEC (@cdnwomenecon.bsky.social) reception on Thursday, May 29th (tomorrow)—right after Embrace Day! There will be snacks 🤩 All Embrace Day and CEA conference attendees are welcome. See you there!

As measles continue to spread through Alberta and Ontario, this is a timely reminder on what vaccines can do. It's a beautiful video - both if you're interested in vaccines and if you're interested in data viz. youtu.be/ybVZ7vluYhQ

As the @albertaucp.bsky.social court data centres, I hope careful thought is being given to their power usage and emissions. I also hope that information on their power use and emissions are made public. #abpoli #ableg

⏰It’s not too late to register! There’s still time to sign up for our event on child welfare in Canada. 🔍 Why are racialized and immigrant children still overrepresented in the system? Join IRPP postdoc @anikaganness.bsky.social for a conversation on history, reform, & equity. 🔗 irpp.org?p=20538

Hello Bluesky! We're Patriotic Millionaires Canada, a new group of wealthy Canadians who believe inequality is hurting our economy and democracy, and we should use the tax code to do something about it. Learn more here, and give us a follow! www.cbc.ca/news/busines...

Season 4 of the Alberta Worker Podcast is almost here! I’m looking for people who want to share their personal labour history with the rest of us. Preference is given to members of marginalized communities. DM me if you’re interested.

No political party has committed to ending poverty, but some of their commitments could help more people thrive. Read our analysis of the 2025 Federal Election party platforms on thriving by @jesserosenberg.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/healthy-comm... #cdnpoli