Group wants Nelson considered for basic income

Group wants Nelson considered for basic income

Nelson at its Best is hoping the provincial government thinks of Nelson if it introduces a pilot project for basic income. Photo: Thinkstock/Getty Images If the provincial government moves forward with a basic guaranteed income plan, one Nelson organization wants the city to be considered for a possible pilot project.

Valerie Warmington, a city councillor, and Dr. Lee Mackay with the Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice, spoke on behalf of Nelson at its Best in front of council on Monday. They argued Nelson is already well situated to contribute should the government ask for municipal volunteers.

“We’re quite contained in […]

How Will The University Lecturers’ Strike Affect Students?

University staff at more than 50 universities have begun picketing on campuses after a dispute on pensions. University bosses are under intense pressure from the government to try and end the strikes that have bought widespread disruption to campuses across the UK.

Lecturers and other university staff across the country are staging a protest against changes to their pensions. There have been changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) which will leave a typical lecturer almost £10,000 a year worse off in retirement. The proposed pension plan means the USS will change from a defined benefit scheme, giving members a […]

University bosses agree meeting with union amid pensions row

University bosses agree meeting with union amid pensions row

University bosses and union officials have agreed to meet next week for talks in the latest stage of a bitter row over pensions.

As workers ended a second day of walkouts, Universities UK called on the University and College Union to attend talks on the pension scheme next Tuesday, February 27.

UCU said it would be at the meeting but warned that unless employers were prepared to discuss the current proposal on the table it did not see how the dispute could be resolved.It is understood that at this stage, Monday’s strike will go ahead as planned. The strikes scheduled for […]

Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes reveals how a walk with Mark Zuckerberg changed his life — and the strange feeling he had when he suddenly became extremely wealthy at age 29

Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes reveals how a walk with Mark Zuckerberg changed his life — and the strange feeling he had when he suddenly became extremely wealthy at age 29

Chris Hughes rose to prominence as a cofounder of Facebook and the director of online organizing for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

His new book, "Fair Shot," is part memoir, part policy proposal.

Through his organization the Economic Security Council, he’s advocating for a monthly check of $500 for Americans making under $50,000, to be funded by those in the highest income bracket. He said his early successes, as well as his failure with the New Republic magazine, has shaped his approach to this latest venture. Chris Hughes had the good fortune of making it […]

University pension plan could be reversed

University pension plan could be reversed

University bosses say they could reverse changes to lecturers’ pensions if economic conditions improve.

As strike action continues for a second day at 57 universities, the employers’ group, Universities UK, has written to pension scheme members offering to explore alternative ideas.

The University and College Union (UCU) says current plans will leave a typical lecturer £10,000 a year worse off.About 90,000 students have now signed petitions asking for fee refunds.Under the existing plans, the Universities Superannuation Scheme will change from a defined benefit scheme, giving members a guaranteed income in retirement, to a defined contribution scheme, where pensions are subject to […]

Leaders Lost In The Confusion Of The Latest Industrial Revolution

Given the wave of concern breaking over the rise of Artificial Intelligence, robots and other manifestations of technology, it is perhaps surprising that business leaders are not more worried. After all, if even some of the predictions in this area come true there will be widespread ramifications for jobs, communities and society as a whole. This is why there is so much debate among policymakers and commentators on how to counter the threat through such means as introducing tax incentives to persuade businesses not to replace employees with machines or how to deal with the consequences through such means […]

Expand CPP replacement rate, create universal pharmacare, urges alternative federal budget

Expand CPP replacement rate, create universal pharmacare, urges alternative federal budget

Expand the Canada Pension Plan replacement rate to 50 per cent of earnings. Cap annual contributions to registered retirement savings plans at $22,000. Establish a public agency to administer terminated pension plans. Create a single-payer pharmacare plan for all of Canada.

These are just a few of the suggestions put forth by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ 2018 alternative federal budget.

The expanded CPP replacement rate would be up to 114 per cent of yearly maximum pensionable earnings, according to the alternative budget. It also recommends indexing old-age security benefits to the growth of the average industrial wage; increasing the […]

Pension providers lobby against Budget

Pension providers lobby against Budget

Treasury Minister Alf Cannan delivering the 2018 Budget Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan says he trusts savers and pension holders to manage their own finances.

He made the comment as a number of pension providers lobbied Tynwald members to vote against this week’s Budget as it contained proposals that would signal a major reform of private pensions.

Mr Cannan announced a new Manx pension which will allow holders to withdraw the whole value on retirement, 40 per cent of it tax free, if they so choose from the age of 55.But a number of private pension providers say that they are worried […]

University bosses insist they are open to talks in pensions row

University bosses insist they are open to talks in pensions row

Universities UK says it has “never refused” to try and find a solution to the dispute. University employers have insisted that they are open to talks in an ongoing bitter row over pensions, saying they have “never refused” to try and find a solution.

As strike action over the dispute entered a second day, Universities UK said it was “open to the possibility” that they have not considered every angle in looking at pension scheme changes.

The comments come as university bosses faced pressure to get back round the table and work with union officials to find a solution to the […]

Chelsea Manning should follow Trump’s lead in her Senate campaign

Chelsea Manning should follow Trump’s lead in her Senate campaign

Chelsea Manning should follow Trump’s lead in her Senate campaign

Chelsea Manning. (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Chelsea Manning’s campaign announcement ad shows America on the brink of ruin. The video cuts from protesters clashing with police to white supremacists brandishing their infamous TIKI torches. It’s the real-life apocalypse that rightfully keeps leftists up at night. The footage is littered with chromatic aberration and static effects, giving it a sinister feel. Manning dramatically declares, "We live in trying times… times of fear… of suppression… of hate." The whole production sits precariously on the edge of chilling efficacy and overblown […]