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This week at rabble, we’re going undercover. Our bloggers have been doing some digging, and they’ve come up with a host of investigative and thought-provoking journalism that’s sure to leave you itching for more. From clever misdirection by Canadian banks to unscrupulous intervention in Latin America, these stories are bound to change your perspective on a range of issues, both foreign and domestic.
We grow up too fast in this dog-eat-dog world — and maybe that’s precisely the problem. Davis Carr takes a look at “Nannygate” this week, and explores Canadians’ fixation with the Trudeaus’ two publicly funded caregivers. But is it really the money we’re upset with? Or, are there deeper gendered constructions at play? Maybe it’s not so much the childcare that has so many people in a tizzy — maybe it’s really the Trudeaus’ role in challenging our current perception of childcare and women’s obligations in the home.
That’s not the only financial controversy to his the press. As Nora Loreto reports, Canada’s big banks have been preaching austerity while raking in increasingly bigger profits. The six major banks brought in more than $34 billion this year, but headlines often couple these figures with warnings of imminent fiscal downturn — obscuring the successes, and failing to question the significant tax breaks these institutions receive. Something’s got to change. As Loreto says, “In absence of public pressure to reign in these profits, Canadians will see more and more of their income going to line the pockets of the ultra rich.”
We’re going to follow the money, and see where could go. According to Liz Sutherland and Heather Laird, if our governments choose to spend it wisely, we could have a massive opportunity on our hands. Public money can be used to invest in local people and products, especially during large infrastructure projects. It’s called buying social, and it’s a growing trend. But there’s still a lot of work to be done if we’re going to see significant gains. For starters, we could drop the “lowest cost at all costs” mentality.
Speaking of social consciousness, there’s another opportunity for real change in the works. The Liberal government announced this week it will begin laying the groundwork for an inquiry into Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. Doreen Nicoll gives us a briefing on the plan, laying out target areas that will be examined and strengthened in this process. It’s going to be a long process, but not one without significant merit — finally, after years of neglect, we are seeing the seeds of change begin to sprout in the federal government.
Finally, Fernando Arce takes us on a trip from the streets of Toronto to the parliament of Venezuela, where recent elections have seen the Democratic Unity Roundtable sweep to power. Across Canada and the United States, protestors have been taking to the streets to criticize the United States’ efforts to destabilize Venezuela’s political and economic affairs. For a country so fond of freedom and democracy, the U.S. has a long history of unscrupulous involvement in Latin America — one that often isn’t given the recognition it deserves.
And that’s the blogs briefing for this week. Rest assured, our bloggers are closing in on a number of other exciting cases and will continue to provide thoughtful, up-to-date analysis for all your investigative desires. Until then, relax and enjoy the upcoming weekend!
rabble is expanding our Parliamentary Bureau and we need your help! Support us on Patreon today!
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Nick Seebruch, editor
