Fulton Sheen once remarked that “not over a hundred people” hate the Catholic Church, but “there are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church.” The same might be said for free market economics. Continue Reading…
Federal oil and gas emissions cap shines harsh spotlight on Alberta’s lack of action
There are two different plans for reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector. There is Canada’s plan, finally announced Thursday by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at COP28 in Dubai. This plan is responsible and realistic. Then there is the Alberta approach, released in April, which includes no firm commitment
With youth vaping hitting a 10-year low, policymakers should focus on harm-reduction
Youth vaping in the United States has hit a 10-year low, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The so-called youth vaping epidemic appears to be a thing of the past, with historical lows in youth smoking dispelling fears of a gateway effect. The focus of anti-tobacco advocates and policymakers, however, remains disproportionately fixated on youth vaping, diverting attention and resources away from those at the greatest and most immediate risk of tobacco-related disease and death: adult smokers.
From a public health perspective, the news is good. The latest National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), an
Education savings accounts and open enrollment would help Tennessee’s students and schools
After Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed statewide education savings accounts (ESAs), many state policymakers and special interest groups quickly expressed their opposition. For instance, JC Bowman, executive director of the Professional Educators for Tennessee, claimed the state doesn’t need ESAs because there are “other options available to allow parents to have public school choice.”
But Bowman left out an important fact: Students aren’t guaranteed free access to public schools because Tennessee’s public school districts can charge non-resident transfer students out-of-pocket tuition.
For example, Oak Ridge County School District is charging students who live outside its boundaries as much as $8,484 per new
K-12 open enrollment would be a win-win for Virginia’s students and schools
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Republican lawmakers pushing to expand the state’s school choice programs didn’t get the election results they wanted last month. Still, the newly elected state legislature has an opportunity to expand the public school education options available to students through bipartisan reforms.
Rep. Schyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), a teacher who won a state Senate race, said he sees “a key opportunity to change the game on education—to fully fund our schools and ensure access for every child.”
K-12 open enrollment would do just that. Open enrollment lets students transfer to public schools other than their residential-assigned ones as long as seats are available.
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CCLA files arguments in Fair Change Community Legal Clinic v Ontario
TORONTO — The CCLA has filed its written arguments in court in Fair Change Community Legal Clinic v Ontario. This case challenges parts of Ontario’s Safe Streets Act that punish unhoused and low-income members of the community for asking the public for monetary support.
The CCLA is an intervenor in the case and argues that provisions of the Safe Streets Act violate the rights and freedoms of unhoused and low-income people in Ontario. The CCLA argues that sections of the Safe Streets Act criminalize individuals for seeking donations from the public in certain public places. Denying people the means to make a living by seeking supports from the community
State Accountability for Unconstitutional Legislation: CCLA intervening before Supreme Court in AGC v. Power
TORONTO — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is appearing as an intervenor before the Supreme Court of Canada in Attorney General of Canada v. Power. This case is about when the state can be sued under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for passing unconstitutional legislation.
“For the Charter to have meaning, there must be consequences for violating it. We are intervening in this case to protect all people in Canada from unconstitutional laws,” said Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program.
The CCLA will argue the current law is clear and should be upheld. If the government was clearly wrong, acted in bad faith,
Secretary Cardona’s Quagmire
“I think it was President Reagan who said, ‘We’re from the government. We’re here to help!’” That was a recent post from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, who has it wrong. President Reagan actually said: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” It’s a funny mistake for an education secretary, but it’s understandable.
According to his official bio, “Cardona earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Connecticut.” The bio does not explain that the degrees are all in
Sweden’s much more ‘free market’ than you think
Author:
Johan Norberg
The country deregulated markets in the 1990s, privatized state-owned companies, cut spending and reduced taxes.Read more about Sweden’s much more ‘free market’ than you thinkTags: swedensocialismfree marketfree marketsswedish economyOECD
Religious Freedom Upheld in Finland—Again
In Finland, a prominent politician and a Lutheran bishop have been acquitted of hate crimes for the second time in as many years. On November 14, 2023, the Helsinki Court of Appeals issued its unanimous decision that Finnish Member of Parliament Dr. Continue Reading…
Federal cap on oil and gas emissions is responsible and realistic—Pembina Institute (media release)
Janetta McKenzie, acting director of the Oil and Gas program at the Pembina Institute, made a statement in response to the federal government’s release of a regulatory framework for the oil and gas emissions cap today at COP28 announcement; “The regulatory framework released today is an important step towards meaningful
Canada can’t hit its net-zero goals without phasing out gas-guzzling vehicles (blog)
At this urgent juncture in climate talks, we need to spend more time talking about cars, trucks and buses. Between 1990 and 2021, GHGs from the transport sector in Canada soared 27%. And yet, Canadian delegates at COP28 in Dubai this week have arrived without final regulations for transitioning cars
