Latest edition of MLI’s magazine looks back at the legacy of the late finance minister
OTTAWA, June 6, 2014 – In the cover story of the latest edition of Inside Policy, the magazine of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Stanley Hartt argues the late Jim Flaherty deserves credit for shielding Canada from the financial crisis in 2008.
James Anderson, Managing Editor of Inside Policy, writes that the federal finance minister maintained “a steady hand and pragmatic approach as he sought to keep Canada insulated from the worst effects of the Global Financial Crisis”.
Hartt, who previously served as deputy minister at the department of finance and as chief of staff in the office of the Prime Minister, argues against suggestions that Flaherty acted too late to cushion the blow of recession. Instead, he points out, the finance minister took several concrete measures – such as making up to $200 billion available to worthy borrowers – to liberate the flow of credit just as financial concerns threatened to impede it.
Also in this issue is the text of a speech Flaherty gave at the University of Western Ontario in 2011 about the merits of devoting a career to public service. Flaherty, who died in April, served as finance minister from 2006 until March of this year.
The issue of Inside Policy also includes an excellent selection of articles on a broad range of public policy challenges:
- Liberal member of Parliament Chrystia Freeland examines the role that a multilateral Canada has to play in Ukraine’s struggle to become a rule-of-law democracy.
- Richard Remillard, a financial sector public policy consultant, recommends the establishment of a Financial Innovation Institute.
- Ian Lee and Vijay Jog, professors at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, crunch the numbers on whether the federal government needs to fight income inequality.
- University of Saskatchewan professor Carin Holroyd argues that Canada should follow the lead of other countries and adopt a national digital content strategy.
- Elaine and Jeremy Depow issue a call to action to industry leaders to work with governments to develop solutions that will ensure our future competitiveness in the Internet economy.
- MLI’s Brian Lee Crowley highlights the importance of Canada’s natural resource sector – and creating the conditions in which it can thrive.
These articles and many others, including pointed commentary from MLI staff, authors and fellows, will keep policy junkies busy until the next issue comes out in September.
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Inside Policy, edited by James Anderson, is published six times a year. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute is the only non-partisan, independent national public policy think tank in Ottawa focusing on the full range of issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
For more information, please contact Mark Brownlee, communications manager, at 613-482-8327 x. 105 or email at mark.brownlee@macdonaldlaurier.ca. On Twitter @MLInstitute
