The thread title says it all. So I'll start with some of my ideas, but please feel free to add your own.
First off, we should sell crown resources (oil, lumber, minerals, etc.) to exploitation companies at a higher price. First off, this would increase government revenue at least on a per-volume or per-wight basis (though granted total revenue could drop should these companies decide not to buy at the new price).
As for disadvantages, it would push the cost of resources up on the market, cost employment in the resource sectors, and, owing to a reduction in the Canadian export of resources (should we exploit less, there will be less to sell obviously) and possibly even an increase in the import of some resources, the value of the Canadian dollar would drop on the world stage.
Now as for the advantages, a devalued Canadian dollar would increase Canadian exports, but since we'd have fewer resources to sell, and those at higher price, foreign buyers would not be looking for deals there, but rather in the manufacturing sectors. Bingo.
Secondly, I'd invest more in education. For instance, why not year-round education for nine years starting at the age of five. And give schools more second-language options beside French or English (depending on what youre first language is in Canada) so as to increase our access to foreign markets. And if you have yer-round schooling for nine years starting at the age of five, then they're likely to be able to graduate from high school by the age of fifteen. So then we could also add to years of universal college education for all so as to ensure all leave school by the age of 18 with a sellable skill for the market. A skilled workforce would also attract manufacturing jobs. I'd also encourage collaboration between ministries of education domestically and internationally to establish common educational standards for various trades and professions so as to ensure our credentials are fully recognized abroad as equal to their own standards.
Thirdly, promote free trade and free labour-movement agreements so as to make Canada more attractive to companeis that need a larger labour and consumer market.
Fourthly, elminate minimum wages so as to not price people out of the job market (besides, with a higher-educated population, minimum wage laws would likely become more redundant anyway). And to protect workers from unreasonable exploitation, introduce codetermination laws.
None of the above is in any particular order, but probably education would be first on the list for me. Also, we should not invest in education by borrowing. Instead, it ought to be improved gradually by either tax increses (for education perhaps a flat x% income tax) and cutting in other areas. Sharing a common military or promoting a common currency with other countries would likely lift some overhead costs too.
Any other ideas?
Actually, now that I think about it, maybe cap and trade woudl be a good way to boost the manufacturing sector. It would essentially achieve the objectives of the first point above concerning the reduction in the exploitation of resources in Canada.
First off, we should sell crown resources (oil, lumber, minerals, etc.) to exploitation companies at a higher price. First off, this would increase government revenue at least on a per-volume or per-wight basis (though granted total revenue could drop should these companies decide not to buy at the new price).
As for disadvantages, it would push the cost of resources up on the market, cost employment in the resource sectors, and, owing to a reduction in the Canadian export of resources (should we exploit less, there will be less to sell obviously) and possibly even an increase in the import of some resources, the value of the Canadian dollar would drop on the world stage.
Now as for the advantages, a devalued Canadian dollar would increase Canadian exports, but since we'd have fewer resources to sell, and those at higher price, foreign buyers would not be looking for deals there, but rather in the manufacturing sectors. Bingo.
Secondly, I'd invest more in education. For instance, why not year-round education for nine years starting at the age of five. And give schools more second-language options beside French or English (depending on what youre first language is in Canada) so as to increase our access to foreign markets. And if you have yer-round schooling for nine years starting at the age of five, then they're likely to be able to graduate from high school by the age of fifteen. So then we could also add to years of universal college education for all so as to ensure all leave school by the age of 18 with a sellable skill for the market. A skilled workforce would also attract manufacturing jobs. I'd also encourage collaboration between ministries of education domestically and internationally to establish common educational standards for various trades and professions so as to ensure our credentials are fully recognized abroad as equal to their own standards.
Thirdly, promote free trade and free labour-movement agreements so as to make Canada more attractive to companeis that need a larger labour and consumer market.
Fourthly, elminate minimum wages so as to not price people out of the job market (besides, with a higher-educated population, minimum wage laws would likely become more redundant anyway). And to protect workers from unreasonable exploitation, introduce codetermination laws.
None of the above is in any particular order, but probably education would be first on the list for me. Also, we should not invest in education by borrowing. Instead, it ought to be improved gradually by either tax increses (for education perhaps a flat x% income tax) and cutting in other areas. Sharing a common military or promoting a common currency with other countries would likely lift some overhead costs too.
Any other ideas?
Actually, now that I think about it, maybe cap and trade woudl be a good way to boost the manufacturing sector. It would essentially achieve the objectives of the first point above concerning the reduction in the exploitation of resources in Canada.
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