Debates cover oil sands, carbon tax, immigration policy and other topics
TORONTO, Jan. 22 /CNW/ - Macleans.ca and Canadian Business.com, together
with Microsoft Canada Co. will present a series of thought-provoking business
debates available online as of today.
The "Thinking the Unthinkables" series, filmed in late 2008, brings
together some of the brightest business and public policy minds to talk about
compelling issues facing Canadians today: U.S. trade integration, immigration,
the oil sands, the carbon tax, selling water and higher education.
"Microsoft Canada is proud to take part in such a groundbreaking series
that promotes intellectual discourse between Canada's top minds," said Phil
Sorgen, President, Microsoft Canada. "We hope Canadians will enjoy this series
of debates and the insights that are shared."
Kicking off the online series today is the first debate, Immigration:
Should Canada adopt a more wide-open immigration policy, or should we be more
focused on targeted immigration based on Canada's market needs? Andrew Coyne,
national editor of Maclean's magazine and James Bissett, former head of the
Canadian Immigration Service, wrestle with this complex issue.
Subsequent debates will be added every two weeks for the next 10 weeks at
both macleans.ca and Canadianbusiness.com.Upcoming debates:
The Oil Sands: Is it time to stop or slow oil sands development?
David Collyer, president of CAPP, versus Simon Dyer, director, Oil Sands,
Pembina Institute.
U.S. Deep Integration: Should we erase the U.S. border for the purposes
of trade and labour mobility?
Jim Stanford, chief economist, Canadian Auto Workers and author, Paper
Boom, versus Michael Hart, Simon Reisman chair in trade policy, Norman
Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University.
Carbon Tax: Even at $1.35 a litre, gasoline is not expensive enough: the
case for carbon taxes.
Thomas J. Courchene, professor in the School of Public Policy, Queen's
University, versus Maureen Bader, BC Director, the Canadian Taxpayers
Federation.
Selling Water: Should Canada be selling more water?
Meera Karunananthan, national water campaigner, Council of Canadians, vs.
Daniel Klymchuk, Frontier Centre on Public Policy
Education: Can Canada best improve its productivity by producing more and
better managers, not more science grads?
David Johnston, president, University of Waterloo, versus Dean Dezso J.
Horvath, dean, Schulich School of Business.Moderated by Canadian Business editor Joe Chidley and executive editor of
Maclean's Steve Maich, "Thinking the Unthinkables" offers the general public
and Canadian business people easy online access to high-calibre discourse on
today's compelling issues.
About Canadian Business magazine:
Founded in 1928, Canadian Business is the longest-serving, best-selling
and most trusted business publication in Canada. Canadian Business stands
alone as the business magazine in Canada with 100% paid circulation. With a
readership of more than one million, the magazine is published every second
Monday, except in January, July and August, when monthly issues are published.
Special annual issues of Canadian Business include the Investor 500, the MBA
Guide, the Rich 100 and the Best and Worst Boards. Visit
www.canadianbusiness.com.
About Maclean's
Maclean's is Canada's only national weekly current affairs magazine.
Maclean's enlightens, engages and entertains 2.8 million readers with strong
investigative reporting and exclusive stories from leading journalists in the
fields of international affairs, social issues, national politics, business
and culture. Visit www.macleans.ca.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of
Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full
potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting
and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in
Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country
dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place
and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit
www.microsoft.ca.