For one subset of society, a college degree is worth far less | Quartz
In opposition to the Ontario Liberal government's 'Basic Income Guarantee' | What's Left
The idea being promoted by the Liberal government through its “Basic Income Guarantee” is that we should be moving towards a system where the government redistributes wealth by giving individuals money directly. As wealth redistribution goes, this is an inherently right-wing approach. It depends on the private sector to provide services that those on the Guarantee can afford, it does nothing to improve the employment prospects for those on the Guarantee, and in the end likely only increases inequality. Instead, the government should be investing this money in public services that are provided at no cost to everyone, an initiative that will create more jobs in the process.
Ontario's Budget and Tuition Fees | What's Left
Ontario's 2016 budget was announced on Thursday. In contrast to the newly applied progressive veneer of the current Liberal brand, the budget was actually an austerity budget. The funding for infrastructure all comes from other parts of the public purse, increases to regressive flat taxes, and delayed spending on much needed social programs. Reallocating public service funds to infrastructure investments will not give the province the advertised economic boost because every infrastructure job and investment will be offset by job losses and cutbacks to other public services.
What's Left 2016-02-28 Volume 47
Ontario's budget and tuition fees, phone security, retirement and the right-wing up to their old tricks in Latin America.
What's Left 2016-02-21 Volume 46
What's Left This Week includes an analysis of post-secondary education in Ontario and the call for a Franco-Ontarian university, the Uber fight in Montréal, a book review of February by Lisa Moore and the resurgence of independent bookstores.
Traps to avoid for the Franco-Ontarian community | What's Left
This week, Franco-Ontarian students rallied at Queen's Park to demand government action on creating a Franco-Ontarian University. On the same day, roughly 100 km away, students at the Barrie campus of Laurentian University started an occupation of their administration's offices, demanding the right to complete their program after learning that their campus was closing its doors.
Quelques pièges à éviter pour la communauté franco-ontarienne
La semaine dernière, des élèves et étudiant.e.s franco-ontariens se sont rendus à Queen's Park pour demander de l'action du gouvernement de l'Ontario quant au projet de l'Université franco-ontarienne. Le même jour, à 100 km de là, des étudiant.e.s et membres de la communauté de l'Université Laurentienne, campus de Barrie, se sont mobilisés pour occuper les bureaux de l'administration. Les étudiant.e.s demandent le droit de compléter leurs programmes d'étude parce qu'une annonce vient de leur apprendre la nouvelle: leur campus fermera ses portes.
Remembering Ali Primera: The People's Singer of Venezuela | Venezuela Analysis
Meaningful work: Part of a complete mental health program | What's Left
On January 27th, the Bell Let's Talk campaign flooded the airwaves and internet once again, with a corporate campaign taking aim at 'fixing' mental health issues. Discussing mental health is important: millions of Canadians of all ages are affected both at home and at work. Mental health includes anxiety, depression and if un-addressed can lead to mental illness and other health issues that leave individuals struggling for the rest of their lives.