The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

Future of Work + Future of Public Service

By

Future of Work + Future of Public Service

  • Date: To be determined.
  • For more information: Andrew Cardozo, acardozo@thepearsoncentre.ca

The Pearson Centre is conducting two future-focused projects in the spring and summer of 2015 that address key issues facing Canadians.

We welcome interested partners.

Project 1

The Future of Work

“Precarious employment is a serious issue and clearly negative for the Canadian economy,” the report says. “Without the assurance of the income security that comes along with stable employment and hours, and the matching wages and benefits, consumers lack the confidence to spend. Profits remain below where they could be, reducing the confidence of investors to invest.” 

Precarious Employment in Canada: Does the Evidence Square with the Anecdotes? TD Bank Report

“Canada’s labour market, like that in other advanced economies, exhibits increasingly precarious employment. Short-term, part-time, low-paying jobs without benefits are now the rule, while secure, well-paid long-term jobs with pension, medical and other benefits are becoming the exception. What, if anything, can be done to reverse this trend, which is a source of growing income inequality and insecurity?”

Roy Culpeper, Ph.D., Economist

Income disparity is growing, technology and globalization are changing the nature of work in Canada, employment is becoming increasingly precarious and unreliable.  The number of people in secure full-time long-term employment decreases steadily.  Instead, the kind of work that is growing is temporary and part time with no benefits and job security. The uncertainly expected for young Canadians is of growing concern at present and for the foreseeable future.

This is not good for all those individuals and families who affected and in turn not good for the economy in the short and long term, as people are less able to spend money and buy goods and services, thus reducing economic activity.

This project will include:

  • The development of a paper with an analysis about how we need to be looking at work and good jobs. There is ample recent research on the topic so this paper will draw from existing research and focus on realistic short and long term public policy solutions.
  • Two roundtables on the future of work – to be held in Toronto & Vancouver.
  • Concise messages for social media to be sent out during the project and at the end, which can then be shared by recipients
  • A detailed report on the research and the roundtables in addition to short concise information for circulation by partners.

 

Project 2

The Future of Public Service

“Tax is not a four-letter word; rather, it’s the price we pay for the country we want.”

Alex Himelfarb, Tax Is Not a Four-Letter Word: A Different Take on Taxes in Canada

” It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. To this government, sharing the wealth with the less fortunate, taking care of our seniors, and making sure our children inherit a healthy environment have become “radical” concepts instead of core Canadian values.”

Debi Daviau, President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

The public service is a critical part of our society and as we move into the 21st century it is important to look at the future and consider the kind of public service and para-public service we need at all levels of government – federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and school boards.

The political right has attacked public service across North America in recent decades, a trend which has increased federally in the last nine years.  Beating down on public servants federally plays well in many parts of the country outside the Ottawa area, and goes towards the overriding push to reduce taxes, which in turn means to reduce government and the policies related to safety and security,  health care, education, equality and fairness, and the list goes on.

This project will have the following parts to it:

  • A dialogue about the kind of public service we need in the decades ahead.
  • The development of a paper with clear recommendations towards re-articulating the importance of public service at all levels of government.
  • A roundtable on the future of public service to be held in Ottawa
  • Concise messages for social media to be sent out during the project, which can then be shared by recipients

 

Related Content

Filed Under: Uncategorized