I had a great chat with the tireless Marc Belanger this week for @rabblecat.bsky.social’s Radio Labour about our ‘Elbows Up Economic Summit’ and what comes next for Canada's economy. Give it a listen: rabble.ca/podcast/how-.... #canlab /2

I'll join thousands of trade unionists & allies in person & virtually today at 2pmET to celebrate Buzz Hargrove & thank him for his immense contributions to our movement. Sign up to join online here: unifor.org/news/events/.... Thank you & go well Buzz.🙏💔#canlab @unifor.org

There is no world in which it is normal for the president to publicly call upon his attorney general to hurry up and prosecute his political foes. It’s like the Watergate tapes but posted on social media. Let’s get a grip on what’s happening here.

How should Canada respond to Trump’s economic attacks? Economist @jimbostanford.bsky.social joins RadioLabour to lay out a progressive plan. #canlab #canpoli rabble.ca/podcast/how-...

What a rich & evidence-based review by @ghadaa.bsky.social for @thestar.com of recent wild claims about the TFW program: www.thestar.com/news/canada/.... Yes, it was unduly expanded (under both Harper & Trudeau) and needs big changes. But blaming TFWs for the labour market's funk is a lie. #canlab

More details from @yahoofinance.com on our new report with Centre for Civic Governance about the enormous jobs potential for building trades workers from investments in the energy transition: finance.yahoo.com/news/report-.... 6.3 to 9.5m person-years of construction work over next 25 yrs. /2

I helped the Centre for Civic Governance on an exciting new report about the jobs potential of renewable energy and energy conservation investments in Canada. The numbers are huge: 6.3 to 9.5 million job years of new construction work from now to 2050: ccg.eco/research/job.... /2

What a treat to spend a day in Ottawa with 40 progressive economists and thought leaders to imagine a more robust nation-building economic strategy, at the ‘Elbows Up Economic Summit’: policyalternatives.ca/news-researc.... #cdnecon /2

There's no pipeline on Ottawa's first list of 5 'nation-building' projects--but mostly because no companies have actually pitched one. Yet pipelines are still held up by many as a magic bullet for countering Trump. They're not. My take for Troy Media : troymedia.com/politicslaw/.... /2

Trump's trade war has reinforced the need for ambitious industrial policy as a tool in Canada's economic nation-building. Here's my summary for @irpp.org's Policy Options on the challenges, and the opportunities, of this moment: policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/09/targ.... #cdnecon /2

More timely wisdom from @fwilson2.bsky.social on the need for renewed progressive economic nationalism in Canada to confront Trump's attacks: canadiandimension.com/articles/vie.... Unions will be critical. #canlab

The crowd has no beginning and no end as it begins its march to the White House

The @unifor.org convention ratcheted up the pressure on Canadian govt's to protect Canadian jobs: a lively rally, passing a visionary economic policy statement, and a panel with 3 movement leaders (chaired by yours truly!) on what the moment demands. Full report: unifor.org/news/all-new... #canlab

No mystery about what caused today's painful 2Q GDP report. If GDP declines again in 3Q, it's a recession. We'll call it the 'Trump-cession'. Exports fell 7.5% (led by falling auto exports), business M&E spending fell 9.4%. The disaster everyone predicted has started. #cdnecon /2

Unifor leadership led more than 1,500 members and supporters as they rallied at the union’s Constitutional Convention in downtown Vancouver to stand up for Canadian workers. #CC2025 #canlab

The Unifor convention in YVR paused this afternoon for a very powerful and heartfelt tribute to Buzz Hargrove. His legacy lives on in this union, and wherever working people link arms to fight for a better, fairer world. Thank you Buzz for your courage & vision. 🙏🏼✊🏼 #canlab

I'll speak with Linda Ward on CBC News Network around 12noon EDT about Canada withdrawing some retaliatory tariffs on imports from the U.S. The govt hopes that will help preserve Trump's current tariff exemption for CUSMA-compliant imports. That might be wishful thinking. #cdnecon

Canada needs a comprehensive strategy for economic self-sufficiency, not a narrow focus on building oil pipelines, cutting regulations, + cutting taxes. New analysis from @jimbostanford.bsky.social, economist & research associate with @policyalternatives.ca: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

In this existential 'Elbows Up' moment for Canada's economy, public discourse has been overly influenced by loud demands from corporations & their political backers to implement their age-old agenda: deregulate (especially environmental rules), cut taxes, build more pipelines. /2

The Univ. of Sydney's globally renowned Political-Economy program celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. What a lasting impact they've had on left & heterodox economics! Here's the special issue of the J. of Australian P-E commemorating the event: ppesydney.net/jape-issues/... /2

Must-read from @fwilson2.bsky.social on the challenges facing Canada's union movement, to resist further encroachment by right-wing populism: canadiandimension.com/articles/vie.... A full overhaul of labour's political strategies is needed. #canlab

Here's an update on recent research & commentary from the Centre for Future Work Canada: mailchi.mp/650a9ce61118.... Of course we dig deep into Trump's trade war, but many other topics too like the economic benefits of health care & child care, and youth unemployment. /2

More evidence there's no limit to Trump's goal to use tariff bullying to chip away at the sovereignty of other countries (including Canada on any issue at all: cbc.ca/news/politic.... See also his harsh tariffs on Brazil for prosecuting Trump's friend & coup schemer Bolsonaro. /2

Trump's so-called 'deals' with Japan & the EU have no binding commitments to anything--other than continued 15% tariffs on their exports to the US. All the more reason for Canada to steer clear of these photo-ops. Here's my take for Marianne Dimain on CBC News Channel: cbc.ca/player/play/....

Here is my new report for Australia's @futurework.org.au on productivity: what it is, what it isn't, why it does NOT automatically trickle down into wages--and policies that could make productivity work for Australian workers. futurework.org.au/report/produ... @australianunions.bsky.social

If Canada 'accepts' a deal with Trump that keeps big US tariffs on our vital value-added industries, we lose our right to challenge them under CUSMA or WTO, give him a win at his most vulnerable moment, and lock in subservient status. See our report: centreforfuturework.ca/2025/07/22/a... #cdnecon

This Report is so good - I wholeheartedly agree, especially with the “7 Reasons” section beginning on page 16. Labour understands these dynamics and I hope that’s its perspective on leverage and power - as outlined here by Stanford - informs Canada’s strategy.

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

I'll speak with @kamilkaramali.bsky.social for CTV News tonite about the latest Canadian jobs report. Good news: overall job creation surprisingly strong, unemployment down. Bad news: youth unemployment is at recession levels & some trade-exposed cities (eg. Windsor) are getting hammered. #cdnecon

Trump’s own (insane) Liberation Day tariff math implies an 8% tariff on 🇨🇦 merchandise (not 35%). On services his formula says WE should impose an 18.5% tariff on THEIR products. is outbursts have no economic basis whatsoever: authoritarian & imperialist: centreforfuturework.ca/2025/07/09/g...

Over 300 million workers striking in India this week against Modi's new labour code, from all industries and all unions. Gosh it would be good to hear more about this on the news! #canlab

This is a very helpful overview of the weaknesses in Ontario's new rules regarding platform work, by Leslie Kennedy for Money.ca: money.ca/news/ontario.... I stress that after adjusting for waiting time and expenses, wages will still be well below legal minimums. #canlab

Canada is the 2nd largest market for US services exports ($90b in 2024), and has the 2nd largest bilateral services trade deficit with the US. Trump never talks about services imbalances (only merchandise), but we should. My take for @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/business/can.... #canlab

Donald Trump's OWN tariff formula says we should be taxing ALL US-made services at 18.5%. The DST's 3% was just a baby step toward what the world's richest companies should be paying--wherever they do business. My take for @thestar.com: thestar.com/business/can.... #canlab #cdnecon

"We need rabble: an independent, radical and constructive platform to share information that is absent from both the mainstream media and the flood of social media misinformation" - @jimbostanford.bsky.social rabble.ca/economy/supp...

Here's my conversation with @AkshayAnchor on @CTVNews Channel yesterday about Trump's latest threats to Canada: www.ctvnews.ca/video/2025/0.... Anyone who's ever been around a bargaining table knows this is just part of the theatre. Canada is right to calmly keep negotiating. #cdncon #canlab

Relevant for those who think Canada should give away supply management, the Digital Services Tax, and anything else Trump doesn't like, to keep him happy and get a "deal" (that he may or may not follow): Retail egg prices up 27% in Canada since Jan2021, over 300% in the US. #cdnpoli

Let's lift the Digital Services Tax to 25% on U.S.-based digital, data, & streaming companies, incl. Amazon, to match the 25% tariff Trump has on our steel, aluminum, and cars. Yep, that'll make Netflix more expensive. And it'll get the attention of his tech fanboys. #cdnecon #ElbowsUp /2

Many thanks to Virginia Galt for this touching, very comprehensive article on the passing of former CAW President Buzz Hargrove: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic.... It really captured his combination of toughness and humanity. 🙏 #canlab @UniforTheUnion

It was great to once again join the McMaster Labour Studies Certificate program this evening to speak on Trump's trade war and how unions can contribute to Canada's response. 40 great students from different unions and different provinces. #canlab /2

I am joining the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC today to launch this new report from Centre for Future Work Canada on the economic benefits of expanded early learning & child care in the province and to urge the BC govt to step up its phase-in. centreforfuturework.ca/wp-content/u... #canlab

This silly rant is predictable and authoritarian, implying that since public education is 'subsidized' by taxpayers, students should ascribe to 'acceptable' political views. But what caught my eye was the gratuitous reference to 'blue-collar workers' in the sub-title. /2 #cdnpoli

Kudos and thanks to the team at @CanGeo.bsky.social for this amazing special issue for Canada Day. Two great poster maps, beautiful photos, essays and testimonials about our social makeup, not just our land. Grab one for your long weekend reading!! 🇨🇦✊🏼❤️

Matt Galloway for The Current on CBC always hosts rich & collegial discussions. Here's our chat yesterday about the labour needs for coming big infrastructure & housing projects: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-.... To do this right we need strong training & safety standards. #cdnecon #canlab

It takes more than mighty construction projects to build a nation. Human services like public healthcare are equally important to growth, jobs, innovation & investment. Here's an open letter signed by 275 Canadian economists & health policy experts centreforfuturework.ca/2025/06/17/t... #cdnecon /2

Thank you Buzz for your courage, working class loyalty, willingness to push the limits, and your hope. You made such a difference to our union, all workers, and our country. Your legacy lives on everywhere workers fight for a better future. 🙏🏼✊🏼🇨🇦 #canlab

The 2008 financial crash didn’t just shake Wall Street — it rewired the world. @jimbostanford.bsky.social (@futurework.org.au), @angella.bsky.social (@cupescfp.bsky.social), and Randall Germain (@carleton.ca) tell @jeyantvo.bsky.social how Canada’s economy is still living in its shadow.

Oil futures rose 65% after invasion of Ukraine, even though world oil supply kept growing. That cost Cdns $200b ($12K/household) over next 3 yrs. It's financialized speculation, not supply shocks, that facilitates this price gouging. Get ready for it to happen all over. #cdnecon /2

"It wasn’t Ottawa that laid them off, cut their pay, froze the minimum wage, drove up electricity and insurance costs, and put their health care at risk. It was the enemy within."

Hard to blame "Ottawa's attacks on the oil industry" for the hardship many Albertans experience: Alta oil production (& profits!) are the highest ever. Jobs, wages & living standards are shrinking there cuz of home-grown problems. My take for @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/business/opi...