Papers: Commentary

By Peter Broder Notwithstanding his reputation as a lynchpin of conservative economic thought, Adam Smith quietly warned of the danger of ceding to business interests authority over regulation of the public weal.  That warning comes to mind in light of the recent news of the likely termination of Canadian International . . .

By Peter Broder It is now a commonplace that the traditional distinctions between the private, public and voluntary sectors are becoming blurred.  There is undoubtedly an element of truth to that, given the rise of “triple bottom lines”, public-private partnerships and interest in social enterprise in the voluntary sector.  But . . .

By Peter Broder Keynesian economics enjoyed an unexpected resurgence in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis. There was wide consensus that governments should spend to make up for the drop in demand resulting from the stock market and housing price meltdowns.  Politicians’ affinity for ribbon cutting ceremonies being what . . .

By Peter Broder Twenty years or so ago, as a novice international co-operant, I can remember at my in-country orientation, being told of the need to “learn to live with the contradictions”.  Perhaps that was a fitting message for a bunch of gung-ho international development workers itching to change the . . .

By Peter Broder Starting this past January, the House of Commons Standing Committee of Finance began a series of hearings on tax incentives for charitable donations.  Although mandated specifically to deal with donation incentives, the Committee delved into a number of other concerns with charity operations. Among the topics that . . .

By Peter Broder The March 2011 Budget, which is expected to be re-introduced with the Conservative victory in the May 2nd election, featured several important changes to federal regulation of charities and other organizations  eligible to issue tax receipts.  The changes extend the powers of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) . . .

By Peter Broder Nearly a half-century ago, Lord Wilberforce considering a House of Lords case which touched on the definition of charity, commented on the imperative “to keep the law as to charities moving according as new social needs arise or old ones become obsolete or satisfied.”   In Canada, the . . .