Roundup: Pausing the birth tourism hysteria

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You probably heard last week about the recent report that incidents of “birth tourism” in Canada are higher than previously reported, owing to collecting data from hospital sources rather than local statistical agencies. Given that this became a flashpoint at the Conservative policy convention a few months ago, it’s probably safe to assume that this will become a topic of debate in Parliament in the coming weeks (though it depends on whether or not Andrew Scheer decides this will be the next issue he decides to chase down a rabbit hole, as is his wont). One does hope, however, that we may have a reasonable debate around this, and while Chris Selley may point to the fact that we may want to do something (that won’t violate human rights and create stateless persons), economist Lindsay Tedds has another view that may also be worth considering, especially if we look at the issue over the longer term.

https://twitter.com/LindsayTedds/status/1066763395578253312

https://twitter.com/LindsayTedds/status/1066766469545975808

https://twitter.com/LindsayTedds/status/1066768661434662912

https://twitter.com/LindsayTedds/status/1066770215784996864

Good reads:

  • Word has it that GM plans to shutter its operations in Oshawa, and that’s going to have a major impact on the jobs in Ontario.
  • The Canada Post back-to-work legislation will continue Third Reading debate in the Senate today, after they opted not to proceed to Sunday.
  • Here’s a look at how the wage growth that Bill Morneau was touting in his budget to justify deficit spending is not as robust as he may think.
  • The pilot shortage in the RCAF is a growing problem, but it’s one part of a complex larger issue of a global pilot shortage and lack of opportunities in the military.
  • The federal government is funding a study by Pride Toronto to tour the country to examine relations between police and marginalised LGBT community members.
  • There was a major spike in 2017 of instances where RCMP officers were given permission to break the law as part of (presumably under-cover) investigations.
  • Ontario Conservative MPP Amanda Simard held a town hall about the proposed French-language service cuts in Ontario, vowing to keep fighting them.
  • Here’s a look at the ongoing mysteries surrounding what is going on in the BC legislature with its Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms being put on leave.
  • Former finance officials Scott Clark and Peter DeVries pan the bulk of the policy choices in the fall fiscal update.
  • Susan Delacourt hears from Andrew Scheer’s campaign chief, who says he tries to keep out of the social media bubbles to engage the moderate voters.

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