2023 Was a Good Year for Canadian Labor
In 2023, Canadian unions experienced a banner year marked by successful strikes and legislative victories. These wins should be celebrated alongside ongoing efforts to build an even stronger labor movement.
131 Articles by: David Moscrop
David Moscrop is a writer and political commentator. He hosts the podcast Open to Debate and is the author of Too Dumb For Democracy? Why We Make Bad Political Decisions and How We Can Make Better Ones.
The Calamity That Is Canada’s Housing Market Is Beyond Satire
In the latest episode of Canada’s housing saga, a shared bed in Toronto is on the market for a jaw-dropping $900 a month. There’s no need for satire when the housing market itself has become a tragic joke.
We Can’t Grow Numb to Reports That the Rich Are Getting Obscenely Richer
Reports continue to reveal the thriving fortunes of the wealthy, which surged during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such reports should still have us up in arms — and we should put our outrage to work to dismantle a rigged system.
We’re All Burning Ourselves Out to Keep Money Flowing Up to the Rich
Increased productivity has failed to translate into fair compensation, and we’re all working ourselves to death. Not having time to rest or think is not just terrible for human beings — it’s terrible for democracy.
Cory Doctorow’s Vision for a Just Tech Revolution
We talked to famed tech writer Cory Doctorow about his new book, The Internet Con; the fight against Big Tech; and how technology itself isn’t the problem — it’s about who holds the reins.
Toronto’s Rent Strike Is Growing
Toronto tenants have been on strike for months. With new tenants joining in the fight, the strike appears to be gaining momentum as it seeks to put landlords on notice and redress the balance of power between property owners and renters.
Canada Is Accusing India of a State-Sanctioned Assassination
Canada is claiming that India’s far-right government was involved in the murder of one of its citizens. The extraordinary allegation has set off a diplomatic firestorm.
Justin Trudeau’s Milquetoast Policies Aren’t Helping Hungry Canadians
Canadian workers are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis and struggling to afford housing and groceries. The Trudeau government’s response? Politely requesting that grocery bosses be nicer.
While Canadians Struggle, the Liberal Government Is Focusing on Messaging
Canada’s housing crisis is off the charts, and half the country lives paycheck to paycheck. In a classic show of disconnect, some Trudeau Liberals think the party’s greatest problem is that people don’t understand how fabulous a job they’re actually doing.
The Housing Crisis Isn’t Going Anywhere Until We Tackle Property Wealth Inequality
The housing crisis will never end without levying forceful taxes against real estate speculators and investors. A recent report outlines the necessary actions to impose taxes that can actually narrow the wealth gap and alleviate the housing emergency.
Canada Feels Like a House of Cards Waiting to Collapse
In Canada, surging house prices, the G7’s highest household debt, nationwide climate-driven disasters, and punishing interest rates have turned the crisis knob to 11. Amid all this, the Trudeau Liberals are eyeing cuts, adding potential austerity to the mix.
Canada’s Housing Crisis Demands Action, Not Words
As Canadians struggle with impossible housing costs, political rhetoric must align with concrete actions. This entails moving beyond vague appeals for “affordable housing” and focusing on the fundamental goal: securing housing for everyone.
There Is No One to Cheer for in the Clash Between Tech Titans and Canada’s News Media
Meta’s blocking of Canadian news is a direct response to Canada’s Online News Act, which mandates major tech firms pay local news organizations for using their media links. But the “link tax” furor underscores a deeper issue: media ownership and control.
Landlords Are Threatening to Evict Tenants for Using Air Conditioning in British Columbia
As temperatures soar, tenants in British Columbia are facing eviction threats for installing AC units.
Public-Private Partnerships Are a Deal With the Devil
Recent experiences with public-private partnerships in Canadian cities, like Ottawa’s light-rail disaster, reveal how the model prioritizes profit over quality, leaving citizens with higher costs and worse services.
Is a Fractured Right a Cause for Celebration or Concern?
Sure, it can be a good thing if the Right is fractured and fighting among itself. But the Left can’t win simply by letting reactionaries fight among themselves — we need to fight for a vision of greater freedoms through improving the welfare of all.
Class War Is at the Heart of the Bank of Canada’s Incoherent Rate Hikes
The Bank of Canada’s incoherent stance on inflation and interest rates underscores the class conflict at play in shaping its decisions. As with previous hikes, the bank’s new rate increase will have terrible repercussions for workers.
Left-Wing Media Is Expanding Its Reach in Canada
To amplify their impact, two Canadian left-wing publications, Passage and the Maple, have recently merged. We spoke with Alex Cosh, news editor of the Maple, about the merger, their mission, and the state of both mainstream and left-wing media.
For Airline Workers, a Willingness to Strike Gets the Goods
WestJet pilots just secured a deal from the airline, averting a strike at the 11th hour. It’s a win that reinforces the truth that taking proactive labor actions delivers results — a noteworthy fact for an industry currently witnessing a labor-rights push.
Remote Work Continues to Be a Battleground in the Struggle Between Bosses and Workers
Just because not all jobs can be done at home does not mean that no jobs should be done at home. Working from home won’t end exploitation, but it’s nonetheless an important front on which labor can strive to secure improved working arrangements.