Labour

It’s time to restore real opportunities for all

Canada’s social elevator is broken. Tax burdens, housing rules, and restrictive licensing add artificial barriers to natural disadvantages, holding back the progress of millions of Canadians. It’s time to restore real opportunities for all.

9-minute read

Barriers to Social Mobility across Canada

In this MEI ranking on the determinants of social mobility – referring to one’s ability to climb-up the socio-economic ladder – no Canadian province scored a 60 per cent or above. “Social mobility is what makes the difference between having agency in moving up the income ladder, or being stuck in inherited poverty,” said Justin Callais, associate researcher at the MEI and co-author of the report.

The social elevator is broken in Canada

Social mobility is held back by two types of barriers: natural and artificial. While the former are hard to change, the latter—taxes, regulations, restrictive licensing—are in the hands of policymakers. Reducing them means giving everyone more opportunity.

4-minute read

La réforme syndicale incontournable

Si donner une voix aux travailleurs effraie les syndicats, c’est peut-être parce qu’ils outrepassent leur mandat et se retrouvent en décalage avec leurs propres membres.

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