Work

  • Hidebound Habits of Journalistic Minds

    Hidebound Habits of Journalistic Minds

    Peter Stockland

    August 6, 2021

    Despite laudable adaptation to extraordinary technological change, too many journalists remain stuck with a story-telling idée fixe that blocks the light of facts, Peter Stockland argues.

    An editor-in-chief infamous for, shall we say, whimsy once decreed no opening sentence of any news story could exceed 21 words.

    The impromptu commandment unleashed a newsroom tizzy equivalent to what might have erupted if an exotic dancer had walked ...

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  • Journos Who Soldier On

    Journos Who Soldier On

    Peter Stockland

    July 30, 2021

    Peter Stockland argues that despite the legitimate criticism journalism gets for all its institutional failings, abundant first-rate reporters and writers serve Canadian democracy well.

    Honesty demands acknowledgement.

    In recent weeks I’ve written, and other Convivium.ca writers have contributed, sharp criticism of journalistic performance on a variety of issues.

    It’s true that at the institutional level, corporate providers ...

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  • 10 Highlights of the Year for Cardus

    10 Highlights of the Year for Cardus

    Daniel Proussalidis and Monica Ratra

    December 28, 2020

    Daniel Proussalidis and Monica Ratra write that while 2020 was a forgettable year for many reasons, Cardus initiatives throughout the year provided memorable highlights for the organization and our supporters.

    It’s cliché at this point, but 2020 is surely a year most of us would like to forget. And not just because of the pandemic or the brutally polarized political rhetoric of the past year. But, as we think back on the past year at Cardus, there’s actually a lo...

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  • No Easy Solutions for Journalism’s Woes

    No Easy Solutions for Journalism’s Woes

    Daniel Proussalidis

    October 7, 2020

    Cardus’ Daniel Proussalidis marks National Newspaper week by speaking with independent journalist Jen Gerson on what the future holds for newsgathering in Canada.

    Canada needs journalists – such is the theme of the 80th annual National Newspaper Week, which began Sunday. It’s tough to argue with the claim, frankly. Of course, Canada needs journalists who are free to uncover, discover, and convey news from ...

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  • Working Out Well-being

    Working Out Well-being

    Johanna Lewis

    May 1, 2020

    Losing a job is about more than a loss of income, because work is about more than money, writes Cardus researcher Johanna Wolfert. Governments must keep the non-monetary aspects of work in mind as they try to support those rendered jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    COVID-19 has ravaged Canada’s labour market. Staggering unemployment numbers and ...

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  • Another Look at the Lending Market

    Another Look at the Lending Market

    Rebecca Darwent with Brian Dijkema

    June 21, 2019

    Anticipating next week’s Cardus study on pay day loans, and a vote by the city of Kitchener to regulate the sector, Convivium’s Rebecca Darwent talks to Cardus Work and Economics Program Director Brian Dijkema about helping low-income Canadians gain fair and equal access to credit.  

    Rebecca Darwent: Can you start by bringing us up to speed on the work you have been doing to set the stage for what has led to the paper we are expecting for release next week?

    Brian Dijkema: We have done six reports on payday lendin...

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  • Springing the Debt Trap

    Springing the Debt Trap

    Peter Stockland with Brian Dijkema

    April 11, 2018

    This week, Cardus Work and Economics gave municipalities in Ontario data-driven advice about handling new powers over the debt trap that is the payday loan industry. Convivium’s Peter Stockland spoke with program director Brian Dijkema about helping cities help the working poor.

    Peter Stockland: Cardus Work and Economics has offered guidelines to municipalities for dealing with the so-called payday loans industry, which provides short-term loans at very high cost to people desperate for ready cash. Tell us about th...

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  • The White-Collar Pickle

    The White-Collar Pickle

    Brian Dijkema

    February 8, 2018

    The switch of highly educated professionals to making a risky living selling small batches of craft products has its roots in work that is its own reward, writes Brian Dijkema, a Hamilton-based beekeeper who is also Cardus Program Director for Work and Economics.

    There is a little bit in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations where he gives five circumstances that help explain wage inequality. As someone who has long made the case for the ...

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  • Workers Present

    Workers Present

    Brian Dijkema

    July 5, 2016

    Cardus Work and Economics Program Director Brian Dijkema reflects on the opportunity that construction season provides us to celebrate the "vast array of talents and skills that it takes to keep a country and its economy functioning." 

    Virtually no one in Canada can drive to the cottage or campsite without coming across a sign like this:

    ...

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  • Changing Politics for a Changed Country

    Changing Politics for a Changed Country

    Michael Van Pelt

    March 7, 2016

    Saying “government should not” is as simplistic as saying “government should” if there is nothing else that follows. Yes, conservatives believe in limited government. But this requires more than arithmetic requiring the size of government. What government should do, it should do well and enough resources need to be dedicated to those tasks.

    Co-authored by Michael Van Pelt (President), and Ray Pennings (Executive Vice-President) of Cardus, a Canadian think ta...

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  • Will anyone even notice when newspapers are gone?

    Will anyone even notice when newspapers are gone?

    Peter Stockland

    January 28, 2016

    Convivium Publisher Peter Stockland reports on the demise of the newspaper industry. 

    Thirty-five years ago, bankruptcies of two major daily newspapers prompted such concern across Canada that a royal commission was struck to inquire into the future of the industry. This month alone, four major English-language metro papers, one small city p...

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