Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
@jrobson.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof. MPM @Carleton; parent; gardener & sometime tradesperson; social & tax policy; worried about details
Pinned
Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
@jrobson.bsky.social
· Aug 30
That is one of the most grim observations I've read in some time. But perceptive...
Just going to pin this to my feed as I think it nicely summarizes my niche.
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
“That people move from representing the presidency to representing banks is so normal that we forget the costs: the private job done with the savvy to outfox one’s former public-sector colleagues, the public job done gently to keep open doors” @anandwrites.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein Emails
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:12 PM
“That people move from representing the presidency to representing banks is so normal that we forget the costs: the private job done with the savvy to outfox one’s former public-sector colleagues, the public job done gently to keep open doors” @anandwrites.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
So, not by naturalization. But also not by birthright.
Hmmmm… if a regime just wants to handpick who does or doesn’t get to belong, based on criteria they alone decide, without clear right of recourse, with (potentially violent) enforcement, I think there’s a word for that….
Hmmmm… if a regime just wants to handpick who does or doesn’t get to belong, based on criteria they alone decide, without clear right of recourse, with (potentially violent) enforcement, I think there’s a word for that….
cool, cool. so we are sort of like citizens, but not really?
February 13, 2026 at 3:32 AM
So, not by naturalization. But also not by birthright.
Hmmmm… if a regime just wants to handpick who does or doesn’t get to belong, based on criteria they alone decide, without clear right of recourse, with (potentially violent) enforcement, I think there’s a word for that….
Hmmmm… if a regime just wants to handpick who does or doesn’t get to belong, based on criteria they alone decide, without clear right of recourse, with (potentially violent) enforcement, I think there’s a word for that….
Very much enjoying listening to @vassb.bsky.social & @drjengunter.bsky.social saying very sensible things about the roles of gov’t in addressing health mis/disinfo.
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Canadian Health Network - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Very much enjoying listening to @vassb.bsky.social & @drjengunter.bsky.social saying very sensible things about the roles of gov’t in addressing health mis/disinfo.
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Does Greer think *all* of Canada’s GDP relies on exports? Does he know how to calculate GDP?
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
February 10, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Does Greer think *all* of Canada’s GDP relies on exports? Does he know how to calculate GDP?
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
/ Another for the stay-the-course pile
February 10, 2026 at 10:55 AM
/ Another for the stay-the-course pile
100% this
In this dynamic, our social safety net is a huge asset in this negotiation in maintaining cohesion as we take hits. Some hits will be exogenous as Goliath goes about, stabbing himself in the eye while stomping on nearby villages. But other hits may have to be calculated risks.
In this dynamic, our social safety net is a huge asset in this negotiation in maintaining cohesion as we take hits. Some hits will be exogenous as Goliath goes about, stabbing himself in the eye while stomping on nearby villages. But other hits may have to be calculated risks.
Carney's said No deal is better than a bad one.
"Canada is not guaranteed success, but it has changed .. the game, which makes walking away credible – and credibility turns rhetoric into leverage."
(it's also still about who's more willing to take the hit)
#cdnecon #cdnpoli @jrobson.bsky.social
"Canada is not guaranteed success, but it has changed .. the game, which makes walking away credible – and credibility turns rhetoric into leverage."
(it's also still about who's more willing to take the hit)
#cdnecon #cdnpoli @jrobson.bsky.social
“ #Smallercountries rarely win by matching strength. They win by increasing #complexity: by building systems, rules, and structures that slow down stronger players and make dominance by the larger power more difficult.”
February 10, 2026 at 2:12 AM
100% this
In this dynamic, our social safety net is a huge asset in this negotiation in maintaining cohesion as we take hits. Some hits will be exogenous as Goliath goes about, stabbing himself in the eye while stomping on nearby villages. But other hits may have to be calculated risks.
In this dynamic, our social safety net is a huge asset in this negotiation in maintaining cohesion as we take hits. Some hits will be exogenous as Goliath goes about, stabbing himself in the eye while stomping on nearby villages. But other hits may have to be calculated risks.
Lemme try again sans typos.
Wires are reporting this as reopening bilateral talks. That’s not quite what this is.
x.com/josh_wingrov...
Wires are reporting this as reopening bilateral talks. That’s not quite what this is.
x.com/josh_wingrov...
x.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Lemme try again sans typos.
Wires are reporting this as reopening bilateral talks. That’s not quite what this is.
x.com/josh_wingrov...
Wires are reporting this as reopening bilateral talks. That’s not quite what this is.
x.com/josh_wingrov...
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
Trump crashes out over Bad Bunny’s halftime show
February 9, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Trump crashes out over Bad Bunny’s halftime show
Just over 10 years ago, I reached out to Elly in a moment of major stress over a professional choice I’d been cornered into. He called me despite the late hour, gave me excellent counsel and then took me out for lunch a day or so later. I’m still very grateful for the advice he gave me.
February 8, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Just over 10 years ago, I reached out to Elly in a moment of major stress over a professional choice I’d been cornered into. He called me despite the late hour, gave me excellent counsel and then took me out for lunch a day or so later. I’m still very grateful for the advice he gave me.
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
I wish I could tell people like me, who first came to Bluesky and felt pummeled by performative scolding, that now it feels a lot less like that and a lot more like that brief window when Twitter was pretty good: useful, occasionally ridiculous, a place to discover new thinkers & writing
February 6, 2026 at 4:13 AM
I wish I could tell people like me, who first came to Bluesky and felt pummeled by performative scolding, that now it feels a lot less like that and a lot more like that brief window when Twitter was pretty good: useful, occasionally ridiculous, a place to discover new thinkers & writing
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
Well, there it is.
Breaking, from me: An executive order from Oklahoma's governor directs most of the state's public colleges to "phase out tenure." #AcademicSky #HigherEd @chronicle.com
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
Tenure Will Be Eliminated at Most of Oklahoma’s Public Colleges, Governor Says
Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, directed the state’s two-dozen regional universities and community colleges to phase out the practice. Existing faculty members will be grandfathered in.
www.chronicle.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:42 AM
Well, there it is.
"Mini-toba"!
Ha! That's actually pretty funny.
Ha! That's actually pretty funny.
February 1, 2026 at 4:45 PM
"Mini-toba"!
Ha! That's actually pretty funny.
Ha! That's actually pretty funny.
Today was the deadline to submit comments to the federal Department of Finance on the proposed "automated benefits" in Budget 2025. Here's a substack copy of what I submitted. open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
Here's what I sent to the Department of Finance
Budget 2025 invited comments on the proposed new deemed filing option, styled as “automated benefits”.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Today was the deadline to submit comments to the federal Department of Finance on the proposed "automated benefits" in Budget 2025. Here's a substack copy of what I submitted. open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
Just checked ISED data, in 2024 🇨🇦 exported (excl re-exports) $92M in aircraft (< 2k kg) of which $86M was to U.S.
ised-isde.canada.ca/app/ixb/tdo/...
The trick is to be willing and able to withstand the pain for longer.
Recall, exporters only pay a small share of the net tariff.
ised-isde.canada.ca/app/ixb/tdo/...
The trick is to be willing and able to withstand the pain for longer.
Recall, exporters only pay a small share of the net tariff.
January 30, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Just checked ISED data, in 2024 🇨🇦 exported (excl re-exports) $92M in aircraft (< 2k kg) of which $86M was to U.S.
ised-isde.canada.ca/app/ixb/tdo/...
The trick is to be willing and able to withstand the pain for longer.
Recall, exporters only pay a small share of the net tariff.
ised-isde.canada.ca/app/ixb/tdo/...
The trick is to be willing and able to withstand the pain for longer.
Recall, exporters only pay a small share of the net tariff.
👀
January 30, 2026 at 12:44 AM
👀
Q: Does Bovino still get to be a Christmas Adventurer?
January 27, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Q: Does Bovino still get to be a Christmas Adventurer?
As promised -- something quick on the GST Credit revamp and today's announcement on food affordability.
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
Something quick on the GST/HST Credit enhancements and today's federal announcement on food affordability
About a year ago (almost exactly to the day), I posted a long and data heavy blog about the various ways that the Trump administration and changes in Canada-U.S.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:48 PM
As promised -- something quick on the GST Credit revamp and today's announcement on food affordability.
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
Reposted by Jennifer Robson 🇨🇦
More money and top ups to GST credit is good as myself, @gillianpetit.bsky.social and @jrobson.bsky.social wrote about before policyoptions.irpp.org/2022/09/gst-....
Renaming it is unnecessary and has unnecessary risks. I don’t understand
Renaming it is unnecessary and has unnecessary risks. I don’t understand
Looking at the expansion of the GST credit
Following months of pressure from the federal NDP, the Trudeau government has finally announced three targeted measures to offer relief to lower-income Canadians. Key among these is that the goods and...
policyoptions.irpp.org
January 26, 2026 at 4:49 PM
More money and top ups to GST credit is good as myself, @gillianpetit.bsky.social and @jrobson.bsky.social wrote about before policyoptions.irpp.org/2022/09/gst-....
Renaming it is unnecessary and has unnecessary risks. I don’t understand
Renaming it is unnecessary and has unnecessary risks. I don’t understand
In light of @mark-carney.bsky.social announcement on food security measures (full expensing for greenhouses, $ for food banks, national Food Security Strategy), it seems like a good day to re-up a thing I wrote nearly exactly a year ago: medium.com/@jennifer.ro...
1/2
1/2
Working through the potential Trump effects on the costs of groceries in Canada
This is a post to put out a bunch of data and ideas I’ve been working with on the potential impacts on food prices for Canadian consumers…
medium.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:54 PM
In light of @mark-carney.bsky.social announcement on food security measures (full expensing for greenhouses, $ for food banks, national Food Security Strategy), it seems like a good day to re-up a thing I wrote nearly exactly a year ago: medium.com/@jennifer.ro...
1/2
1/2
For the AM crowd.
Since before the holidays, I've been musing about ways to address the problems in C-15, Div. 2. Parliament comes back tomorrow to think about the bill. Here are some thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
Making C-15 better.
When Parliament resumes sitting this week, C-15 will be back at Committee for a chance to improve the bill. Here are some suggestions for one of the more controversial sections of the bill.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:12 PM
For the AM crowd.
Since before the holidays, I've been musing about ways to address the problems in C-15, Div. 2. Parliament comes back tomorrow to think about the bill. Here are some thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
Making C-15 better.
When Parliament resumes sitting this week, C-15 will be back at Committee for a chance to improve the bill. Here are some suggestions for one of the more controversial sections of the bill.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Since before the holidays, I've been musing about ways to address the problems in C-15, Div. 2. Parliament comes back tomorrow to think about the bill. Here are some thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...
That was quicker than maybe expected bsky.app/profile/jrob...
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff over possible deal with China reut.rs/4kh6kkF
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff over possible deal with China
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if the North American country makes a trade deal with China.
reut.rs
January 24, 2026 at 2:23 PM
That was quicker than maybe expected bsky.app/profile/jrob...
January 24, 2026 at 3:01 AM
A reminder that Bessent is supposed to be one of the more normal ones around Trump.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
Bessent pushes Albertan independence from Canada: "Albertans are very independent people. There's a rumor they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not. People are talking. People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got."
January 23, 2026 at 8:31 PM
A reminder that Bessent is supposed to be one of the more normal ones around Trump.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.