Economic Development Archives | Elizabeth May https://elizabethmaymp.ca/tag/economic-development/ MP for Saanich and Gulf Islands Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:56:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://elizabethmaymp.ca/wp-content/uploads/cropped-elizabethmay-button-32x32.png Economic Development Archives | Elizabeth May https://elizabethmaymp.ca/tag/economic-development/ 32 32 Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) https://elizabethmaymp.ca/standing-committee-on-human-resources-skills-and-social-development-and-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-huma-3/ Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:52:17 +0000 http://elizabethmaymp.ca?p=3757 On February 27th, the Committee met to study the Committee resumed its study of Skills Development in Remote Rural Communities in an Era of Fiscal Restraint pursuant Standing…

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]]> On February 27th, the Committee met to study the Committee resumed its study of Skills Development in Remote Rural Communities in an Era of Fiscal Restraint pursuant Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on November 17, 2011.

On Wednesday, February 29 this study continued. In the meeting, witnesses were present from the Canadian Nuclear Association, Vale Canada Limited, and, in videoconference from Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Mining Association. Although the companies differ in areas of expertise, their similar circumstances led to many common issues. The companies are all located in remote areas with large native populations surrounding them, and have difficulty gaining the skilled workers they need in order to function efficiently. All of the companies mentioned partnering with the community in order to promote a predominantly local workforce, but find they can do little beyond providing scholarships and encouragement. They require government assistance to update much of their infrastructure, and promote education in primary and secondary schools. The Mining association raised the issue of the Protection of Species Act, which does not allow disturbances in many Northern areas. In their opinion, this hindered development of communities, as well as expansion of their company.

The committee adjourned, and proceeded to go in camera to discuss committee business.

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]]> 1.6 Removing corporate subsidies: Distorting the market https://elizabethmaymp.ca/1-6-removing-corporate-subsidies-distorting-the-market/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:00:04 +0000 http://dev2.elizabethmaymp.ca/?p=1198 “Governments are not adept at picking winners, but losers are adept at picking governments.” Mark Milke, A Nation of Serfs The federal government has paid the nuclear industry…

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]]> nuclear subsidy“Governments are not adept at picking winners, but losers are adept at picking governments.”

Mark Milke, A Nation of Serfs

The federal government has paid the nuclear industry $17 billion in subsidies over the last four decades. Various regional development programs (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Western Economic Diversification, and Canadian Economic Development in Quebec) have funneled billions into failed enterprises. Since 1982, Industry Canada has made grants totaling more than $5.8 billion to some of Canada’s largest corporations. Technology Partnerships Canada has swallowed up $2 billion and the accelerated capital cost allowance to the oil sands industries totals over $1.3 billion a year.

Perverse subsidies distort the market and send mixed messages: reduce carbon/use more fossil fuels; create jobs/reorganize through lay-offs. Subsidies to Canada’s oil and gas industry from 1996 to 2002 totaled $8.3 billion. From 1996-2002, the government allocated $3.7 billion to achieve its Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction targets. The funding to meet Kyoto has been abandoned, but the fossil fuel subsidies continue.

Greens want an end to corporate subsidies and a start to the green tax shifting that will make the fiscal system more coherent.

Green Party MPs will:

  • Eliminate perverse corporate subsidies and institute new taxes on corporate activities that harm the environment;
  • Introduce more effective antitrust laws in concentrated industry sectors;
  • Require corporations to provide detailed information about their records of compliance with labour, environmental, human rights, consumer, health and safety, criminal, competition, and tax laws or policies, and protect those who expose non-compliers;
  • Support broad-based, democratically-structured citizens’ watchdog groups to monitor major sectors of the economy.

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