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Some pundits and even economists have recently suggested that record-low interest rates justify massive borrowing, particularly during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. That almost suggests it’s a government duty to borrow at current low interest rates, according to Jerome Gessaroli, a professor of financial management at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Today in The Conversation Canada, Gessaroli issues a call for what’s known as intergenerational equity, urging governments to stop amassing such huge debts because of the burden it’s placing our our children, grandchildren and their children. Public debt per child is rising rapidly in Canada, he points out, and asks: “Is it ethical for governments to increase spending by placing greater debts on future generations? Isn’t contractually placing our children into a monetary form of debt bondage morally indefensible?”
Also today:
Regards,
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Far from saving for a rainy day, governments are seriously indebting our children and future generations due to profligate overspending.
Ben Wicks/Unsplash
Jerome Gessaroli, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Canadian governments are failing to treat future citizens fairly by saddling them with huge debt. What policies should Canadian governments enact that offer greater fairness to future generations?
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The Bay department store in downtown Winnipeg will close in early 2021.
(Jino Distasio)
Jino Distasio, University of Winnipeg
In October, the Hudson's Bay Company announced that it would be closing its flagship location in downtown Winnipeg. This closure is reflective of the changing nature of downtown neighbourhoods.
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Many of the assessments used to evaluate capacity do not account for specific types of disabilities.
(Shutterstock)
Elizabeth Mohler, Western University
Our health-care system is fraught with paternalistic attitudes toward the capabilities of people with disabilities. Capacity assessments raise important issues about consent, autonomy and agency.
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Two members of Canada’s Olympic synchronized swim team perform during the 2016 Summer Olympics. The sport is coming under scrutiny for its culture of abuse and body-shaming.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Gretchen Kerr, University of Toronto; Erin Willson, University of Toronto
Allegations of abuse and harassment are not uncommon in Canadian sport. The closure of the Montréal site for Canada's artistic swimming team is in part due to a lack of oversight for young athletes.
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Donald Trump pourrait-il encore l'emporter? L'histoire nous montre que c'est possible. Le président brandit le poing après avoir pris la parole lors d'une assemblée de campagne à l'aéroport de Phoenix Goodyear le 28 octobre 2020, en Arizona.
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Thomas Klassen, York University, Canada
Les Américains aux urnes ont historiquement adopté l’adage : mieux vaut un mal connu qu’un bien qui reste à connaître. Cela annonce-t-il un deuxième mandat pour Trump ?
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Culture + Society
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David D. Daniels III, McCormick Theological Seminary
From the civil rights era to the 2020 election, Black Churches have been at the forefront of encouraging voter registration -- and fighting voter suppression.
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COVID-19
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Anda Nugroho, Badan Kebijakan Fiskal, Kementerian Keuangan RI
If Indonesia can maximise its role as the hub for the production and distribution of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines for Southeast Asia region, the country may gain profits.
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Arts
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Monica Germanà, University of Westminster
Sean Connery is widely thought of as the "best Bond". A film expert ranks his top five films in the role.
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Science + Technology
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Allen Muyaama Mukhwana, African Academy of Sciences; Judy Omumbo, African Academy of Sciences
Reasons why women's voices are ignored in science reporting range from socio-cultural influences that inform gender norms, to perceptions of leadership and political power structures.
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