Véronique Sioufi

Opinion: Want a more resilient Canadian economy? Double down on democratic employee ownership With the U.S. government’s escalating trade war, we need to rethink and prepare to reorient Canada’s economy

Want a more resilient Canadian economy? Double down on democratic employee ownership.

Putting workers in the driver's seat is essential to face down US threats and economic uncertainty.

My latest in today's Vancouver Sun with Michael Mackenzie and Simon Pek. vancouversun.com/opinion/opin...

Opinion: Want a more resilient Canadian economy? Double down on democratic employee ownership With the U.S. government’s escalating trade war, we need to rethink and prepare to reorient Canada’s economy

Employee Ownership Trusts could make workplaces more democratic, giving workers more ownership and control say @1alexhemingway.bsky.social and colleagues.

They should be part of Canada's response to the US government’s escalating trade war they recommend.

Four lessons for justice beyond the ballot box Trump’s attacks on Canada have taken the oxygen out of the election conversation. By hijacking very real economic anxieties, urgent issues have been sidelined in favour of tariff talk.

Many BIPOC organizers have turned away from party politics to focus on building power at the community level. But these efforts are not peripheral: they are the building blocks of a just future that will benefit everyone, says researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social.

📢 We are hiring! 📢 If you are:

✊ Passionate about strengthening systems that help organizations thrive
🌱Dedicated to creating socially just, inclusive and resilient orgs
⚖️ And have experience bringing an equity lens to managing people and operational systems

This may be for you! bcpolicy.ca/jobs

Why transit cuts cost more than they save We explore the pivotal role a reliable public transit system has in fostering equitable, green and sustainable communities—and what we risk losing if these cuts go forward.

Economic uncertainty and rising inequality mean investing in public transit is one of the most effective ways to tackle the crises before us write @verosioufi.bsky.social and @denisagar.bsky.social.

But proposed TransLink cuts would leave us stranded, they say.

Why transit cuts cost more than they save We explore the pivotal role a reliable public transit system has in fostering equitable, green and sustainable communities—and what we risk losing if these cuts go forward.

Proposed Translink cuts and cost increases won’t fall evenly—they’ll hit hardest in working-class, racialized neighbourhoods where overcrowded buses already regularly leave people stranded say @verosioufi.bsky.social and @denisagar.bsky.social.
bcpolicy.ca/2025/04/03/t...

Canada’s Inequality Is Driven by Billionaire Wealth New data show that Canada’s inequality crisis is driven by both billionaire wealth and runaway housing costs. Without a meaningful fix, both democracy and economic growth will be distorted by…

Canada’s inequality crisis is driven by billionaire wealth and runaway housing costs, says senior economist @1alexhemingway.bsky.social, analysing new data.

We must confront the wealthy and powerful, not let them dominate the policy agenda, he writes.

Opinion: Trade war demands a bold vision amid B.C.'s affordability crisis Last fall’s election was fought over what the government branded “kitchen-table priorities,” but many promises have been put on hold.

With tariff details changing almost daily, the escalating trade war is generating deep uncertainty, spooking business investment, slowing growth and threatening to push many families to the financial brink, senior economist @iglikaivanova.bsky.social writes.

The latest StatsCan data show economic inequality is rising as we get ready to vote federally.

@1alexhemingway.bsky.social says these inequalities damage our economy & social fabric, distorting democracy & politics but that Canadians can fight for the rights of all.

Building Economic Resilience Starts with Racial Equity We can’t let #racialEquity become a fair-weather promise. This isn’t just bad optics: rising inequality weakens our economy and fuels reactionary populism.

ICYMI Racial Equity Researcher and Policy Analyst @verosioufi.bsky.social analyses #BCBudget25 and how it affects poverty reduction, immigration and public safety. bcpolicy.ca/2025/03/13/b...

Addressing kitchen-table priorities in an escalating trade war. The provincial government’s band-aid-solutions approach has not matched the severity of the situation.

We don't have to choose between economic resilience & supporting people. True resilience is built on equity—not austerity. Read my new article for BC Policy Solutions to see how BC can chart a path to a stronger, more resilient economy. wp.me/pgeqhC-7V #BCpolicy @bcpolicy.bsky.social

Addressing kitchen-table priorities in an escalating trade war: a win-win for BC The economic turmoil facing us demands bold action, yet what we’ve received from the provincial government so far is incongruous with...

ICYMI Addressing kitchen-table priorities in an escalating trade war can be a win-win for BC says senior economist @iglikaivanova.bsky.social.

Two facets of wealth inequality in Canada: billionaires and housing The latest Statistics Canada data shed light on rising economic inequality in Canada as the federal election campaign gets underway.

Two facets of wealth inequality in Canada: billionaires and housing

Under threat from the US and Trump, to build a stronger Canada we need to rein in the power of the super-rich, share the wealth and build homes for all.

My latest @bcpolicy.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/03/27/w...

Canada’s elite are scapegoating migrants—and here’s why they’re wrong ⋆ The Breach Migrants are being blamed for everything from the housing crisis to hospital wait times to joblessness—and it couldn’t be further from the truth

Migrants are being blamed for everything from the housing crisis to hospital wait times to joblessness—and it couldn’t be further from the truth.

In our new video, migrants and advocates debunk the myths that Canada’s elite are using to distract and divide the rest of us.

BC Society for Policy SolutionsBuilding Economic Resilience Starts with Racial Equity Article by Véronique Sioufi, Racial Equity Researcher and Policy Analyst, BC Policy Solutions There are no meaningful measures to reduce racial inequality in BC Budget 2025. Instead, it maintains a…

We can’t let #racialEquity become a fair-weather promise.

This isn’t just bad optics: rising inequality weakens our economy and fuels reactionary populism.

@verosioufi.bsky.social explains:
bcpolicy.ca/2025/03/13/b...

BC Society for Policy SolutionsBuilding Economic Resilience Starts with Racial Equity Article by Véronique Sioufi, Racial Equity Researcher and Policy Analyst, BC Policy Solutions There are no meaningful measures to reduce racial inequality in BC Budget 2025. Instead, it maintains a…

Racial equity is not a luxury but is the foundation of real economic resilience, says @verosioufi.bsky.social.

With rising xenophobia, failing to adequately support those with the least results in an economic system that is already leaving too many people behind. bcpolicy.ca/2025/03/13/b...

Liberals’ high-speed rail: a fast track to privatization ⋆ The Breach Experts say Trudeau’s plan will sideline VIA Rail—and passengers will pay the price

In his final days, Trudeau unveiled long-awaited plans for high-speed rail.

But the project excludes VIA Rail, handing control to a private consortium.

@taylornoakes.bsky.social breaks down why this 'privatization through the front door' leaves passengers worse off. breachmedia.ca/liberals-hig...

Our Racial Equity Researcher and Policy Analyst @verosioufi.bsky.social joined Rowan Burdge BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, Amy Lubik, Port Moody Councillor & Bailey Waukey, Aboriginal Housing Management Association at the 2025 High Ground 'Housing as a Human Right' session.

BC budget deficit is far preferable to neglecting public investment By Alex Hemingway. With a Trump trade war on our doorstep, the economic moment is uncertain and unprecedented for the country. It’s more important than ever to build and protect our province with…

In uncertain economic times, this is why running a deficit is better than cutting spending:
1. #BCbudget deficit is far preferable to neglecting public investment
2. Spending cuts would be economically damaging & irresponsible
3. The long-term solution to deficits is raising revenue

Learn more:

A recurring theme in the budget breakdown is the outsized negative impacts of policy decisions on #Indigenous communities throughout BC, whether through lack of social services spending or rushes for approvals on extractive projects- many fall in jurisdictions where land disputes are in courts.

Lack of climate spending on Budget 25 is a step backward on policy says @emikonewman.bsky.social
-No additional support for capital or operational funding for transportation.
-drop from $467 to $125M in Emergency management readiness is huge.
-LNG exports mean higher gas prices for residents

Listening to presenters like Igloka Ivanova from
@bcpolicy.bsky.social break down on gaps and challenges left in a provincial budget that ignores our current reality and will “bring is more pain tomorrow.”
“BC deserves more than maintenance in the face of a crisis”
#bcpoli

Major takeaway from @bcpolicy.bsky.social breakdown: BC could have done so much more, in Budget 2025, to reduce inequalities that hurt our economy in the long run and, that, in the midst of a tariff crisis, only accelerate those costly harms across pubic domains.

Great job! 👏🏼

#bcpoli

@verosioufi.bsky.social speaks about the lack of equity investments that create resilience through equality.

The status quo of Budget 2025 is a fragile one and does but benefit the most vulnerable.

“We have the resources,we have the solutions, with solidarity, we can make them happen.”

#bcpoli

How can we protect people from the trade war? Economist Alex Hemingway says mobilizing the workforce with public sector jobs can address pressing infrastructure needs, climate action and affordability

there's been a lot of talk about how we can retaliate against the US (counter-tariffs), and how we can boost business (interprovincial and other international trade), but i've scarcely seen any talk in media about how we would protect human people from the fallout www.thebind.ca/p/how-can-we...

For a breakdown and analysis of the 2025 BC budget, join @1alexhemingway.bsky.social, @iglikaivanova.bsky.social,
@verosioufi.bsky.social & our special guest
@emikonewman.bsky.social from @climateunit.bsky.social:

March 6 @ 4:30pm PST.

bit.ly/bc-budget | Please spread the word!

Record Deficit, Spending Maintained in BC’s Tariff Budget | The Tyee Premier David Eby says province won’t shrink from fighting Trump tariffs.

Not making spending cuts with a trade war on our doorstep is wise says @1alexhemingway.bsky.social.

“That would be disastrous and far preferable to cutting public services & infrastructure investment, which are critical to sustain our economy in the medium & long term.”
thetyee.ca/News/2025/03...

For immediate release: Budget cuts avoided, but stronger public investment needed amid Trump trade war BC budget 2025 aims to protect jobs and public services that people rely on while preparing BC's economy to withstand the unpredictable impacts of US tariffs imposed today.

Hot off the press from my colleagues in #BCBudget lock up @1alexhemingway.bsky.social and @bcpolicyjean.bsky.social : "while the budget rightly prioritizes maintaining social spending and capital investment over calls for cuts from some sectors, it misses the mark by underinvesting in key areas"

An important 🧵 from my colleague @iglikaivanova.bsky.social on what we need to see in today's #BCBudget to protect people in BC in this turbulent moment:

photo of alex and jean in front of parliament

Ready for #BCBudget day! @1alexhemingway.bsky.social and @bcpolicyjean.bsky.social will be at the lockup.

Watch this space for budget insights later today.

And join us on March 6 for an in-depth debrief of the budget via Zoom. 🗓️ RSVP here: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#bcpoli #bcbudget2025