Opinion
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Lobbying For Good
From Barry Campbell, something you don’t often see: a defense of lobbying and an explanation of how lobbying shapes better public policy: The circumstances around the resignation of Jody Wilson Raybould have shone a light, and not a favourable one, on the lobbying by SNC Lavelin. That lobbying by SNC Lavelin of the PMO and…
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Budget 2019: Relentlessly “middle class”
A pre-election budget is usually just that, a pre-election budget. It is a document that ‘sets the table’ for a government heading into an election as this government will be in the Fall. Core constituencies, regional or demographic (e.g. “Working Canadians”, “Families”, “Taxpayers”) are usually the focus. This time it is relentlessly “the middle class”.…
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Regulators grapple with rapid change in the financial-services sector
The speed and scope of change in the financial-services sector is unprecedented. Regulators are trying to wrap their minds around what’s happening. The future of cash, the need for bank intermediaries, the role of paper currencies, and fundamental notions of data privacy and bookkeeping are all in play. In the competition for customers, the tension…
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Campbell Strategies weighs in on China
If a Canadian court finds the extradition request in accord with our extradition treaty with the U.S., then Meng Wanzhou should be extradited. This process will involve a determining if she has been validly charged with crimes covered by that treaty. In the meantime, and again pursuant to Canadian due process, she has been released…
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Campbell Strategies’ efforts lead to expanded support for Canada’s thalidomide survivors
Our firm regularly does pro bono work on important public policy issues. We are proud of our work with the Thalidomide Survivors Taskforce that was highlighted in this Globe and Mail article. In 2015 the Conservative Government, following a unanimous vote in the House of Commons, provided over $180M to support Canada’s thalidomide survivors. Yesterday,…
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Whatever the Heck They Decided To Call It, It’s Done – Canada, US and Mexico Agree To Something On Trade
The “three amigos” they are not; but President Trump, Prime Minister Trudeau and outgoing Mexican President Nieto agreed on September 30th to renew the terms of trade between their three economies by updating and replacing NAFTA with The US, Canada, Mexico Agreement. There is a rumor that the marketing mad US President wanted to call…
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Ontario takes next step on Cannabis retail policy
Ontario’s once-tightly controlled entry into legalized recreational cannabis has seemingly broken wide open. The Ford government’s first move was to take storefront sales away from the government-run Ontario Cannabis Store and open it up to private retailers. Earlier this week the government allowed an unlimited number of storefronts across the province, and permitted its use…