19 Jul You are a senior economist working for the Government of Canada and have been asked to brief the minister of your choice on the state of Canadian institutions. Currently, the inflation rate is at a 30-year high, and debt-servicing is climbing

You are a senior economist working for the Government of Canada and have been asked to brief the minister of your choice on the state of Canadian institutions. Currently, the inflation rate is at a 30-year high, and debt-servicing is climbing. Not too long ago, protests have taken place in various cities across Canada disrupting trade between Canada and the U.S., disrupting activities in neighbourhoods of the affected cities, among other actions. Initially, as an anti-COVID mandate protest, it evolved into a protest of various grievances, which range from anti-far-left/anti-Trudeau protests, to government involvement in daily lives complaints, to conspiracy theory propaganda. Some view the protests as an accumulation of grievances over the evolution of Canadian institutions and their role in an individual’s socio-economic well-being. Note the invocation of the Emergencies Act. Others, view it as a small minority trying to impose their agenda on a much quieter majority. Nevertheless, the erosion of trust in institutions poses a problem for the manner in which Canada’s democratic government operates. Confidence in Canada’s institutions as inclusive, rather than extractive institutions means that division among classes will widen. Resistance against different branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial) can pose significant problems for economic growth

2.       Keeping in mind the following three course topics:

 • (i) the correlation between economic growth and inclusive institutions,

• (ii) the relationship between government spending and inflation; and

 • (iii) de facto and de jure power/institution,

develop a briefing note on the evolution of trust in, if any, Canadian (socio-economic) institutions, and how this evolution has or may contribute to increased class division and any effect on economic growth, including inflation. Given that this subject is comprehensive, limit the focus to two or maximum three issues or examples (such as the effect of inflation on government’s spending plans, ability of social media platforms to limit users, inconsistent application of rules for COVID vaccines, economic winners vs losers of vaccine mandates, etc.). Of course, if you disagree that there is no loss of confidence because this simply a loud, but small minority of individuals, then you can argue that position in the briefing note. Use the three articles posted below as sources of the two or three ideas or examples. You are free to include your own or counter-examples, depending on your position. Historical references and qualitative or quantitative data are always welcome in your briefing note. Standard economic arguments must be used.

3.       Your briefing note is “For Information Only”; however, ensure that it has a well-developed “Key Considerations” section. Your briefing note should be specific to the mandate of the department that you choose.

Articles of Interest: Article #1 :

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/taxes/article-tax-spend-time-to-cut-your-spending-so-ottawa-doesnt-have-to/

Tax & Spend: Time to cut your spending, so Ottawa doesn’t have to AUTHOR: PATRICK BRETHOUR, TAX AND FISCAL POLICY REPORTER PUBLISHED JUNE 20, 2022

Article #2:

 https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rex-murphy-freedom-convoy-protests-have-exposedthe-deep-divisions-in-our-nation Rex Murphy: Freedom Convoy protests have exposed the deep divisions in our nation The protected class versus the working class, East versus West, urban versus rural — the protest is a marker of all these unfortunate divides

Rex Murphy: Freedom Convoy protests have exposed the deep divisions in our nation The protected class versus the working class, East versus West, urban versus rural — the protest is a marker of all these unfortunate divides

Articles #3 https://globalnews.ca/news/8601524/bc-dad-parenting-time-vaccination-status/ ‘Next to nothing’: B.C. dad’s custody of kids dramatically reduced because he’s unvaccinated

Subject:

 The Subject should not exceed two lines, and the bottom line should be longer than the top line

Summary

• A well-crafted briefing note does not need a Summary. The Issue and the Conclusion or Recommendation(s) should be sufficient to summarize the briefing note. • If used, the Summary should condense the key messages of the briefing note. • Include a deadline for a decision, signature or action, if needed. • Keep the Summary to three or four bullets.

Issue:

The Issue entices the Minister to read on. It states what has happened, is happening, will happen or might happen that requires his or her attention. When appropriate, it states what strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats exist.

Background

The Background section: • provides history and other information to bring the Minister up to speed on the issue; • should not be controversial or subject to dispute; • sets the stage for considerations; and • may include current status.

Considerations

ANNEX A and ANNEX B provide guidance on writing the briefing note as a whole. ANNEX C outlines the strategic thinking that underlies a sound briefing note and that may form a key element of the Considerations section. Considerations provide the facts, arguments, opinions and analysis needed to show that the Conclusion or Recommendation is a sound response to the Issue. The Considerations section may address the following as needed: • current status and relevance to needs, desires and strategic priorities (e.g., Speech From the Throne, the Budget, your department’s Report on Plans and Priorities); • pros and cons of options, including feasibility, costs, benefits and risk; implications for the portfolio (other agencies that report to the Minister); • consultations conducted and horizontal management; and • communications implications and plans.

Considerations will deal with SWOT matters as needed, i.e.: • strengths (internal capabilities); • weaknesses (internal vulnerabilities); • opportunities (external circumstances that can be exploited); and • threats (external circumstances that present a danger). In addressing SWOT, the Considerations section will take account of PESTLE factors as needed, i.e.: • political factors (e.g., public opinion, links to the Speech From the Throne); • economic factors (e.g., budget considerations, financial impact on stakeholders); • social factors (e.g., impact on education, culture, families, the elderly, employees); • technological factors (e.g., technological capabilities and constraints); • legal factors (e.g., requirements of law, regulations, treaties or contracts); and • ecological factors (e.g., impact on wildlife, oceans, greenhouse gases).

Current Status:

Conclusion

The Conclusion: • answers the question “So what?”; and/or • states the department’s position; and/or • tells the Minister what happens next and when he or she will be briefed again.