Poverty, inequality & welfare

Katharina Pistor

2024 Rosenbluth lecture with Dr. Katharina Pistor

Oct 11, 2024
By
In this lecture, Dr. Pistor discusses themes from her latest book, The Code of Capital: How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality, which explores how the public institutions of the legal system—like property law or taxation—are used to create private wealth…. View Article
A convenient distraction: racism

A convenient distraction: Is racist messaging being used in BC’s provincial election?

By and
Ever since the economy started to slow down, the political discourse in BC has shifted dramatically. Immigrants and international students are blamed for the housing crisis and for driving down wages; people experiencing homelessness, addiction or mental health crises are blamed for making public spaces “unsafe” and engaging in crime; and basic steps towards meaningful reconciliation with First Nations are framed as threats to our economic prosperity. … View Article
post banner

Trapped in the wage gap

May 30, 2024
By
On June 1, BC’s minimum wage is going up to $17.40 per hour. Despite this welcome pay raise for the 240,000 lowest-paid workers in the province, the minimum wage remains over $3 per hour lower than the lowest living wage in BC ($20.64 in Dawson Creek). In BC’s largest cities, Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria,… View Article

That 70s show: The evolution of income inequality in Canada

Jul 13, 2023
By
  This brief looks at the evolution of inequality going back to 1976. Drawing on Statistics Canada’s Canadian Income Survey, it reviews changes in the distribution of income by decile (groupings of ten percent of households ranked by income from lowest to highest income), and asks a hypothetical question: what would today’s incomes look like… View Article
"Budget 2024" written on a coiled paper pad on a desk.

Our recommendations for the 2024 BC budget

Jun 22, 2023
By
The BC government is holding its annual public consultation on Budget 2024 this June, inviting British Columbians to share their priorities for government investment next year.  On June 14, I presented the CCPA–BC’s recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Via the BC Legislative Assembly website, you can hear my presentation… View Article