Genuine recovery from the recession

We’ve been hearing from the government that the recession is over and the economy is on the mend. But how do we measure recovery? Can we really measure recovery through slight improvements in GDP, growth in the stock market and overall economic developments? Or rather, is it through talking to communities and individuals hit hardest by the economic downturn?

Recovery has yet to reach many of these communities and individuals and it won’t unless the government gets more involved at the community level. To discuss some of these issues the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) in cooperation with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) held an Alternative Federal Budget roundtable last week entitled “Recession, recovery and transformation: Meeting the policy challenges of our time.”

Attending this event were unionists, civil society and non-profit workers, government employees and a couple of business people. The roundtable covered a variety of topics, including an in-depth discussion from the front lines of the recession and the specific concerns of groups most vulnerable during hard economic times; ideas and thoughts on the kind of recovery that is needed; and policies for a sustainable and transformative recovery.

One of the major highlights was former NDP leader Ed Broadbent’s presentation. Mr. Broadbent outlined some of his thoughts and ideas on economic recovery: the importance of increased government involvement in social policies, the movement against a market economy becoming the primary determinant in economic policies (above the well-being of people), and the role of equity in building just and productive communities.

It was emphasized by many participants and panellists throughout the roundtable, including businessman John Andras from the Recession Relief Coalition, that this message must go beyond the unionists and non-profit workers. Politicians and business people need to be made aware of the full impacts of the recession and the need for intervention in the communities hit hardest by trying economic times in order for a full and genuine recovery to emerge across the country.