Ryan Romard

The richest Canadian CEOs now make 248 times more than the average worker wage in Canada. The @policyalternatives.ca's new CEO Pay report shows how the gulf between the rich and the rest of us keeps growing and what to do about it. @davidmaccdn.bsky.social

Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding PREFACE At this pivotal global moment, Canada and Alberta, working closely with Indigenous Peoples and industry, must work together cooperatively, and within their respective jurisdictions, to foster ...

Here's the Carney-Smith pipeline MOU: www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/back...

Tŝilhqot’in Call for End to Political Fear-mongering About Title - Tŝilhqot’in National Government On the first day of hearings today before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation stands in solidarity with the Nuchatlaht Nation, and its Tyee Ha’wilth Jordan Michael, in the ong...

Tŝilhqot’in Call for End to Political Fear-mongering About Title

tsilhqotin.ca/tsilhqotin-c...

Will the feds’ climate climb down placate petro-province premiers? - CCPA Perhaps lost in yesterday’s federal budget news dominated by job cuts and military spending is the extent to which the federal government is also abandoning the climate commitments of the previous gov...

“Applauding the prime minister too much would diminish his utility as a catch-all villain that can be blamed for every misfortune that befalls Alberta and Saskatchewan.” www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

Post-election budget could plunge Canada into another federal election - CCPA With so much on the line, the newly elected federal government has tabled a budget that, in many ways, could pass as a Conservative budget.

There’s no olive branch for the NDP in today’s federal budget--might Canada be plunged into another election? Full CCPA analysis of the budget is now live: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

Would you go to Canada Post for your mortgage? Why advocates think postal banking could be a lifeline for the Crown corp. Amidst the labour dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, a debate concerning the future of post offices across the country has once again taken the stage: Should Canada ...

For a place like Canada that has a banking oligopoly and a telecom oligopoly, maybe a public option provided by the post office would be a welcome addition,” said Enoch.

www.thestar.com/business/wou...

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is Canada’s leading progressive think tank. Let’s make a difference, together: Join us at policyalternatives.ca/Makeadifference

Liberal government frees Canada Post to end home delivery, close some post offices | CBC News With Canada Post on track to lose $1.5 billion in 2025 and contract discussions between the union and the corporation stalled, the federal government is embarking on a modernization plan it says will ...

The government is reducing service standards and Canada Post’s biggest advantage: its nationwide network.

This plan is about cutting back the postal service instead of investing to give it new revenue tools through things like postal banking. It’s shameful.

Canada 2020: the team behind the team behind Canada’s Liberal Party Some of the country's most powerful companies are backing a small Canadian think tank with direct links to the PMO

Powerful international companies — like Amazon — are backing a small Canadian think tank called Canada 2020. The group has direct links to Prime Minister Carney and his Liberal government. Find out more about the exclusive events they’ve been holding.

buff.ly/iHcJkgm

#cdnpoli

That minimum scientifically plausible number of traumatic deaths only—immediate deaths from bullets, bombs, and demolished buildings—in the Gaza genocide is currently more than 115,000. The minimum scientifically plausible number of deaths attributable to the genocide overall is more than 460,000. Anyone who claims to rely on the best scientific consensus today must report the current death toll in the Gaza genocide as “more than 115,000” violent deaths or “more than 460,000” overall.

"The minimum scientifically plausible number of traumatic deaths—immediate deaths from bullets, bombs, and demolished buildings—in the Gaza genocide is currently more than 115,000.

The minimum number attributable to the genocide overall is more than 460,000."

www.counterpunch.org/2025/08/19/t...

The Israeli Assassination of Journalist Anas al-Sharif and Five Colleagues in Gaza City “We understand these are our last days.”

Pls stop what you are doing and read this entire report on Israel's murder of journalist Anas al-Sharif and five colleagues in Gaza City.

"He characterized Israel’s threats as 'Silence or Death,' and he vowed not to be silent."

It ends with his final message. www.dropsitenews.com/p/anas-al-sh...

To stop Gaza genocide, Canada must escalate pressure on Israel - CCPA Canadian companies, with the approval of the Canadian government, are supplying military equipment for Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Canada is sending hundreds of thousands bullets to Israel as it guns down children waiting in line for food. Not only should Canada cancel arms contracts, it should also cancel trade deals, punish Canadian investors in Israel, and expel Israeli diplomats.

I wrote about it for @policyalternatives.ca

The fed gov cuts to pay for military and wealthy tax cuts have rapidly expanded. My new analysis shows that most of the cuts will now be on transfers to other govs, non-profits and people. A stunning 1 in 5 dollars is just cuts to FN govs for basic social programs. @policyalternatives.ca 🧵👇👇

Palestinian students say visa delays have stranded them despite admission to Canadian schools IRCC cites challenges processing applications from Gaza students, but prof says other countries have managed

It is unconscionable that Canada is refusing to process the immigration applications of students in Gaza accepted to Canadian schools.

Two have already died while waiting.

This is an atrocity and universities should be intervening.

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Canada should build public cloud infrastructure rather than relying on U.S. tech giants - CCPA During the 2025 election campaign, prime minister Mark Carney made a striking admission about Canada’s dependence on U.S. tech companies. The Canadian government was in the process of choosing a partn...

Canada needs to reduce its dependence on US tech companies — and cloud infrastructure is a perfect place to start.

For @policyalternatives.ca, I explain the threat posed by our dependence on US-owned data centres and why we need a public cloud that isn’t shaped by the need for shareholder profits.

In one video, what appear to be heavily armed American security contractors at one of the sites in Gaza discuss how to disperse Palestinians nearby. One is heard saying he has arranged for a “show of force” by Israeli tanks. “I don’t want this to be too aggressive,” he adds, “because this is calming down.” At that moment, bursts of gunfire erupt close by, at least 15 shots. “Whoo! Whoo!” one contractor yelps. “I think you hit one,” one says. Then comes a shout: “Hell, yeah, boy!”

American contractors are murdering Palestinians at ‘aid’ sites and they are treating it like a fucking game.

“I think you hit one.”

“Hell, yeah, boy!”

Monstrous.

apnews.com/article/pale...

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack review – this crucial film is the stuff of nightmares. But the world needs to see it The film the BBC refused to air shows the targeting, detainment and torture of medics in Gaza. Its relentless timeline of horrors will never leave you

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack review – this crucial film is the stuff of nightmares. But the world needs to see it

The film the BBC refused to air shows the targeting, detainment and torture of medics in Gaza. Its relentless timeline of horrors will never leave you

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Tax and cash transfer promises are flying fast and furious in this federal #election. I’ve been modelling them all and here are the average impacts for NDP, CPC and Liberals by deciles of pre-tax income. @policyalternatives.ca 🧵👇👇👇 for by program and poverty amounts.

Much more than books - CCPA The Toronto Public Library is a vital institution that is deeply integrated into the cultural, social, and intellectual life of Torontonians. It not only provides access to knowledge but also plays a ...

Want to understand what's at stake at Toronto Library's
possible strike? My colleague @carolinaaragao.bsky.social wrote an excellent report on the state of public library funding in #Toronto. #onpoli #Justice4Workers

www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

Whoever wins the election, Ontario must reinvest in post-secondary education - CCPA Ontario’s universities and colleges are in a state of financial crisis. Across the province, post-secondary institutions, citing a lack of revenue needed to fund operations, are making devastating cut...

Ontario has the lowest level of post-secondary education funding in Canada.

Will this provincial election lead to change?

Check out the detailed analysis by @rromard.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca

www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

The triumph of American fascism | CCPA On October 27, 2024, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump—now president-elect—stood on a podium in Madison Square Garden, surrounded by thousands of fans.

Trump takes office today. He didn't create American fascism—he harnessed a force that has always existed in America. By @whosestreets.bsky.social @policyalternatives.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

Company men | CCPA Following two blistering years of all-time high compensation, Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs pocketed $13.2 million, on average, in 2023—the third biggest haul since we’ve been tracking CEO pay. On av...

www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
‘price increases weren’t just to cover costs; they were a chance to see how high the corporate sector could boost its profit margins to record highs’ @davidmaccdn.bsky.social @policyalternatives.bsky.social

Closing the Overtime Pay Gap for Non-Union Workers | Created with Datawrapper What if all workers had the same OT pay rate as union members in 2024? PUBLIC SECTOR PRIVATE SECTOR

If non-union workers were paid for OT like union members, they’d gain billions.

In the private sector, non-unionized workers would have earned about $13 billion more since the start of 2024 if their overtime pay rate (50%) matched union rates (87%).

www.datawrapper.de/_/J5a1t/?v=3

Over half of overtime hours are worked for free | Created with Datawrapper Total regular (usual) and overtime work hours during 2024* PUBLIC SECTOR PRIVATE SECTOR

That’s 454 million hours of free labour for bosses in just 10 months. 1.5 million private sector workers were paid for only half of their OT hours. Employers depend on this free labour at workers' expense.

www.datawrapper.de/_/nQfGo/?v=4

Union members far more likely to be paid for overtime | Created with Datawrapper Employees in 2024 working overtime that is PAID ONLY UNPAID ONLY or BOTH

First, most do either only paid or unpaid overtime. Few do both. Union members are far more likely to be paid for their overtime. In the private sector, they’re 1.8x more likely to receive pay for OT compared to non-unionized workers. In the public sector, it’s 2.6x.

www.datawrapper.de/_/ROFtV/?v=2

Half a Billion Hours for Free: The Role of Unions in Fighting Unpaid Overtime – Ryan Romard Workers in Canada lose billions in wages to unpaid overtime every year, with over half of all overtime hours going unpaid. This analysis quantifies the immense value of union protections in combating ...

Nearly 46% of all overtime hours worked in Canada are unpaid—that’s hundreds of millions of hours of free labour every year. My latest blog post breaks down the shocking scale of unpaid overtime and the value #unions bring in protecting workers from wage theft. 🧵

rromard.netlify.app/blog/12-30-2...

Dashboard: A data portrait of union density in Canada – Ryan Romard Introducing my dashboard of union density in Canada, with live charts/tables showing union density across 15 variables, in the public and private sector. Made with R, Quarto, Datawrapper and Javascrip...

📊 𝗔 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮

My latest dashboard with LFS data on Canadian union density. Features charts/tables across 15 variable like education or age group. Always broken down by private/public sector.

rromard.netlify.app/blog/12-27-2...

#canlab #unions #dashboards #rstats

Unions mitigate low-pay effect of non-standard employment | Created with Datawrapper Average hourly wage by employment and union status in 2024

𝟰/ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀
Workers in non-standard employment were the biggest beneficiaries. Union members in such roles earn over $8/hr more than their non-union peers. Unions protect vulnerable workers by mitigating the impact of precarious jobs.

www.datawrapper.de/_/4Ublc/?v=2

Union wages higher in majority of lower wage occupations | Created with Datawrapper Average hourly wage by occupation and union status in 2024, public sector HIGHER UNION WAGE OCCUPATIONS BOLDED PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES ONLY

𝟯/ 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
We see a similar pattern in the public sector, where union density is higher. Non-members had higher wages, but that's mostly due to professionals/managers. Across most lower wage occupations, union members had higher wages.

www.datawrapper.de/_/f7Wyj/?v=5