In this policy study, Madsen examines a variety of indicators to ascertain the value of the Saskatchewan government owned SaskTel. Madsen follows well-established practices and methodologies that include two different approaches in order to gain an insight into the monetary worth of the Saskatchewan Crown Corporation. SaskTel is an historic Saskatchewan institution that has played a role in the development of the province. Established in 1908, communication in those days was not universal and did not always extend to every farm or hamlet. It could be very expensive and often impossible to get a telephone line, as well as quite expensive to keep one. The Internet, cellular telephony, cable television – even just television – had yet to be invented.
Backgrounder
The Canadian Air Industry and the Case of Porter Airlines: What’s next in the air industry?
This recent turbulence in the skies is not restricted to Canada. Around the world, the airline industry is in a state of flux. This Backgrounder analyzes the growth challenges of Canadian airlines.
Toward More Prosperous Cities: Cities should fight poverty, not increase it
Beyond the rule of law and security, the most important public policy objectives should be to achieve wide-spread affluence and eradicate poverty. Cities, urban policy, and urban transport are means to facilitate this objective, not ends themselves.
Options for the CBC: Alternative Roles for the National Broadcaster
Based on a historical analysis of the original role for a national public broadcaster, Roland Renner assesses how improving technology has affected the CBC and takes a look at five potential alternatives for bringing the CBC in to the modern world. Renner looks at five potential proposals, ranging from abandoning the idea of a public broadcaster entirely, to making only minor changes to the current system, before making a final recommendation.
Featured News
The Man who Saved the Plains Indians
At the time of Confederation, Canada’s Plains Indians were in a desperate situation. The same European-introduced guns and horses that resulted in a briefly glorious golden age for them had also resulted in constant inter-tribal warfare and the rapid disappearance of...
Renewed Talk of Abolishing the Indian Act
Political attacks on the Indian Act are back in the news, and that is a good thing. However, Canadian politicians, including First Nation politicians, need a credible plan about what to do before we pull out the champagne. Attacking the Indian Act is not a big deal...
Water Exports
This backgrounder explores the idea of a water pipeline from the mouth of the Nelson River in Manitoba to the fast growing Southwestern United States.
Canada’s Doctor Shortage
There is a lose-lose scenario being played out among provincial governments in Canada: Governments are reluctant to pay for more doctors, as that would increase billings beyond what the governments, and by extension, the taxpayers are willing to pay. Taxpayers are reluctant to finance additional health-care costs, as they suspect governments are not the most efficient providers.
Excellence in Education
The popularity of science fairs and spelling bees stands in contrast to a curriculum and system increasingly hostile to competitive activities in the school system.
A Failing Report Card
Manitoba’s education policy since 1999 has deteriorated due to a weakened assessment program, forced school division amalgamations, vastly expanded special education spending and a shortened school year.
Questionable Graduate Programs For Teachers And Administrators
Recent reports written by Arthur Levine, the former president of Teachers College Columbia University in New York City, called into question the quality of most graduate programs for school teachers and administrators in the United States. While the situation does not appear to be as bleak in Manitoba, there are signs that the University of Manitoba is making some of the same mistakes outlined in the Levine report.
Should Principals Be Union Members?
Several other provinces, most notably British Columbia and Ontario, recognized this inherent conflict and established separate associations for principals and teachers.
Computers in the Classroom
Adjusting for household income, there is no evidence that greater access to computers at school has a positive correlation with academic achievement.
Fair Share or Short Changed?
This same mythology is the often expressed opinion that producers have no place else to go and therefore Alberta can charge them whatever it pleases in royalties.
Climate Change in Disarray – An African Perspective
A Professor Emeritus from Pretoria, South Africa attributes changes in weather to variations in solar activity not man-made CO2 emissions.