In approximately 100 days, Canada will legalize, regulate and restrict access to non-medical cannabis use. This transformation in our drug policy will require an intense educational campaign to inform Canadians, particularly young people, about the effects of cannabis use. After alcohol, cannabis is one of the most frequently used substances among Canadian youth, with 20.6%
Given the focus on women’s rights over the past year across multiple socioeconomic spheres from sexual harassment to pay equity to political engagement, it was no surprise the Before the Bell event marking International Women’s Day on March 8 was sold out. The panel, comprised of respected Canadian policy, political and business voices, discussed with
Sixth Estate published its inaugural edition of The Review today and has made it available free for download from the Sixth Estate web site. The Review will be published six times a year and features insight and opinions on the topics that Before the Bell examines in its live journalism shows. This edition looks
Contributed to the Sixth Estate. Another year, another budget slated for February 27th – the third for Minister Morneau. Given the recent proposed tax changes, it is also arguably one that is dreaded by many small business owners that are worried about what it might contain. Despite some who believe the small business community has
Contributed to the Sixth Estate. Canada draws great strength from its diversity—of peoples, cultures, identities and regions. But just as our diverse communities make unique contributions to society and the economy, they also face distinct challenges—challenges that deserve meaningful policy solutions backed up by real investment. Across Canada, farmers struggle with uncertain markets and high debt
At a Before the Bell session on Tuesday morning in Ottawa, a panel of stakeholders discussed the Trudeau government’s record on healthcare. A second panel of stakeholders spoke about challenges facing their sectors, and how they reflect the different aspects of the government’s priorities going forward.
Contributed to the Sixth Estate The good news for Canadian Medicare enthusiasts is that Ottawa now has a pulse! Following more than a decade of disentanglement or laissez faire federal health policies, we have a federal government and have had a Minster for Health that cares about Medicare. The federal government has committed to a
Contributed to the Sixth Estate We depend on our eyesight for virtually every activity we do, yet we rarely give thought to the implications of losing vision. However, this is the reality for the approximately 500,000 Canadians who live daily with vision loss that impacts their quality of life. Another 50,000 Canadians develop vision loss
At a discussion in Ottawa during National Non-smoking Week, stakeholders discussed whether vaping is an effective harm-reduction tool to help those trying to quit smoking cigarettes. While the United Kingdom is embracing e-cigarettes, Brazil, Singapore, and Thailand have moved to ban them. In Canada, Bill S-5 proposes to restrict vaping under the Tobacco Act, which proponents say is discouraging the kinds of innovation necessary to give Canadians the products and information they need in order to use vaping as a smoking cessation tool – a tool that has been found to be 95 percent less harmful than smoking tobacco.
As Canada navigates the fraught re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the Trump administration, the reanimation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership as the U.S.-abandoned Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and a possible free trade deal with China, Justin Trudeau’s policy of “progressive internationalism” is being tested. This week on
BEFORE THE BELL AND COVID-19
Before the Bell will be returning only after the green light has been given by our Public Health experts. The issues we cover are important but not as important as our collective health. Once we are on the other side of this, we will return our attention to the intersection of issues and public policy. But for now I hope every will stay healthy and safe!
Sincerely,
Andrew Beattie
President | Host
Sixth Estate | Before the Bell