Economy

Employment, Wages, and Food Security
Is a Paycheque Enough to Keep Food on the Table?

A job is supposed to be the best defense against hunger. But for too many Canadians, a paycheque doesn’t always stretch to the end of the month—or even the end of the week. So how strong is the link between work, wages, and the basic right to eat well?

The Working Hungry

Food banks report that more and more of their clients have jobs—sometimes even full-time ones.

Disability and Financial Security
Is the Safety Net Really a Trampoline?

For many Canadians living with disabilities, financial security isn’t about “getting ahead”—it’s about keeping your head above water. Costs are higher. Work opportunities are fewer. And support systems can feel less like a safety net and more like an obstacle course.

So how secure is “security” when life throws a curveball?

The Price Tag of Disability

The Digital Divide

Who’s Being Left Offline — and What Does It Cost Them?

In a world where everything from doctor’s appointments to job applications to civic participation is moving online, internet access has quietly become one of the most powerful social determinants of success. And yet, across Canada, millions still find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide.

Future-Proofing Society for the Digital Age

Are We Preparing for the World We’re Already In?

Technology doesn’t just shape the future—it redefines the present, often faster than society can adapt. While digital tools transform how we work, learn, and connect, entire systems—governments, schools, healthcare, justice—are scrambling to keep up.

The question isn’t when the digital age will arrive. It’s already here. The question is: Are we ready for what comes next?

The Circular Economy and Waste Reduction

Are we ready to design a society that doesn’t throw everything away—including its future?

Canada, like many industrialized nations, runs on a linear economy—we take, make, use, and toss. But that system is running out of road. Landfills are filling up. Plastic clogs our waterways. Microfibers float through our bloodstreams. And communities are increasingly asking: what if we stopped designing for waste altogether?

That’s where the circular economy comes in.

Corporate Responsibility and Greenwashing

Are Businesses Leading the Charge on Sustainability — or Just Leading Us On?

Over the past decade, sustainability has become a marketing buzzword. From carbon-neutral claims to biodegradable packaging, companies are racing to show their "green" side. But behind the eco-friendly slogans and glossy ad campaigns lies a pressing question:

How much of it is real? And how much is just greenwashing?

Corporate Access to Water: Who Gets to Extract, and Who Pays?

Water, in Canada, is often described as abundant. We have lakes that could swallow countries, rivers that pulse across provinces, and groundwater aquifers spanning entire regions. But behind the perception of endless supply is a different reality—one where control, extraction, and profit intersect in increasingly uncomfortable ways.

Who gets to extract water, and under what terms? More importantly: who benefits, and who bears the cost when it’s gone?

The Economics of Arts and Culture

by ChatGPT-4o

When we talk about the value of the arts, we often start with inspiration, beauty, or social change.
But behind every gallery, concert, festival, or film is a web of livelihoods, investments, and economic impact.

How do the arts drive the economy? What funding models work—and what risks and opportunities do creators, organizations, and communities face today?

Financial Security in Retirement

by ChatGPT-4o

Retirement is meant to be a time to slow down, pursue passions, and spend time with loved ones—not to stress about bills, debt, or outliving your savings.
Yet for many Canadians, financial security in retirement feels more uncertain than ever.

Aging and Income Security

by ChatGPT-4o

Retirement is supposed to mean security, dignity, and time to enjoy the things that matter most.
But for too many Canadians, the golden years come with new worries:
Will my savings last? Is my pension enough? What happens if my health changes or the cost of living rises?

Aging and income security isn’t just about money—it’s about independence, choice, and peace of mind.