Alex Hemingway
@1alexhemingway.bsky.social
Senior Economist @bcpolicy.bsky.social. PhD @UBCPoliSci. Former CCPA-BC. Social, economic & environmental justice. Views are my own. https://bcpolicy.ca/
Pinned
A wealth tax could raise half a trillion dollars for a stronger, fairer Canada
New report on the effects of wealth inequality, the revenue potential of a wealth tax, counter-arguments and an outline of transformative public investments.
bcpolicy.ca
A federal wealth tax could raise half a trillion dollars for Canada.
Extreme wealth concentration is damaging our economy and society. Taxing the super-rich could fund transformative public investments to build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
New report: bcpolicy.ca/wealth-tax
Extreme wealth concentration is damaging our economy and society. Taxing the super-rich could fund transformative public investments to build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
New report: bcpolicy.ca/wealth-tax
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
A rising cost of living—especially for housing—has caused the highest ever Metro Vancouver living wage.
This is the hourly rate that a full-time worker must earn to cover essential expenses for a basic, decent standard of living and to avoid chronic financial stress.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
This is the hourly rate that a full-time worker must earn to cover essential expenses for a basic, decent standard of living and to avoid chronic financial stress.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
November 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
A rising cost of living—especially for housing—has caused the highest ever Metro Vancouver living wage.
This is the hourly rate that a full-time worker must earn to cover essential expenses for a basic, decent standard of living and to avoid chronic financial stress.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
This is the hourly rate that a full-time worker must earn to cover essential expenses for a basic, decent standard of living and to avoid chronic financial stress.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Metro Vancouver’s living wage is now $10 more/hour than BC’s minimum wage.
More must be urgently done to support the hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers who face impossible budget choices in the region and across BC say @iglikaivanova.bsky.social and Anastasia French.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
More must be urgently done to support the hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers who face impossible budget choices in the region and across BC say @iglikaivanova.bsky.social and Anastasia French.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
November 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Metro Vancouver’s living wage is now $10 more/hour than BC’s minimum wage.
More must be urgently done to support the hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers who face impossible budget choices in the region and across BC say @iglikaivanova.bsky.social and Anastasia French.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
More must be urgently done to support the hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers who face impossible budget choices in the region and across BC say @iglikaivanova.bsky.social and Anastasia French.
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Rising costs have pushed Metro Vancouver's living wage to $27.85/hr.
Across BC, living wages range from $21.55 in Grand Forks to $29.60 in Whistler.
We can no longer ignore the widening gap between the low wages many people earn & the actual costs of living. #bcpoli
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage/
Across BC, living wages range from $21.55 in Grand Forks to $29.60 in Whistler.
We can no longer ignore the widening gap between the low wages many people earn & the actual costs of living. #bcpoli
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage/
BC Living Wage 2025
The living wage for Metro Vancouver is now $10 higher than the minimum wage. The highest expense in people's budget is...
bcpolicy.ca
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Rising costs have pushed Metro Vancouver's living wage to $27.85/hr.
Across BC, living wages range from $21.55 in Grand Forks to $29.60 in Whistler.
We can no longer ignore the widening gap between the low wages many people earn & the actual costs of living. #bcpoli
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage/
Across BC, living wages range from $21.55 in Grand Forks to $29.60 in Whistler.
We can no longer ignore the widening gap between the low wages many people earn & the actual costs of living. #bcpoli
bcpolicy.ca/living-wage/
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
A few highlights so far - Bryn Davidson, the owner of a laneway house building co, said the $400 he would save as a property owner isn't worth losing city staff in the planning dept. who have helped change zoning that allowed his business to find a niche.
November 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
A few highlights so far - Bryn Davidson, the owner of a laneway house building co, said the $400 he would save as a property owner isn't worth losing city staff in the planning dept. who have helped change zoning that allowed his business to find a niche.
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Nicholas Rae: Renters are more likely to be low-income and this budget does nothing to alleviate our struggles. My rent went up this year and it will go up next year. Property owners can defer their taxes; how is this fair? 1/2
November 12, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Nicholas Rae: Renters are more likely to be low-income and this budget does nothing to alleviate our struggles. My rent went up this year and it will go up next year. Property owners can defer their taxes; how is this fair? 1/2
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Kathryn Harrison, a UBC prof focused on environmental issues, talked about the death toll of the 2021 heat dome and raised concerns about cuts to climate change work that is ongoing at the city.
November 12, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Kathryn Harrison, a UBC prof focused on environmental issues, talked about the death toll of the 2021 heat dome and raised concerns about cuts to climate change work that is ongoing at the city.
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
The 2026 Vancouver budget risks imposing cuts to road safety initiatives that we simply can't afford. With so few details being released, we call upon council to amend the budget to direct that essential transportation programs and staff be protected.
👉 More: visionzerovancouver.ca/2025/11/12/2...
👉 More: visionzerovancouver.ca/2025/11/12/2...
November 12, 2025 at 11:20 PM
The 2026 Vancouver budget risks imposing cuts to road safety initiatives that we simply can't afford. With so few details being released, we call upon council to amend the budget to direct that essential transportation programs and staff be protected.
👉 More: visionzerovancouver.ca/2025/11/12/2...
👉 More: visionzerovancouver.ca/2025/11/12/2...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Worth noting that because Sim brought forward his proposal for a property tax freeze requiring millions in cuts with just weeks left in the budget process, this is not up for public debate and is not outlined in the documents available to councillors when they vote on this
SCOOP: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes in his proposed 2026 budget.
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate city's climate and sustainability department
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes. Canada's National Observer learned a...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Worth noting that because Sim brought forward his proposal for a property tax freeze requiring millions in cuts with just weeks left in the budget process, this is not up for public debate and is not outlined in the documents available to councillors when they vote on this
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
BC faces similar affordabilty issues as New York City: high housing costs, wages not keeping up with inflation.
So could an agenda like mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's work here? Could we address policy issues head-on instead of offering incremental tweaks?
So could an agenda like mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's work here? Could we address policy issues head-on instead of offering incremental tweaks?
Mamdani’s victory: a blueprint for BC?
The development and delivery of Zohran Mamdani’s platform was as important as the platform itself. This is what made his campaign different.
bcpolicy.ca
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
BC faces similar affordabilty issues as New York City: high housing costs, wages not keeping up with inflation.
So could an agenda like mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's work here? Could we address policy issues head-on instead of offering incremental tweaks?
So could an agenda like mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's work here? Could we address policy issues head-on instead of offering incremental tweaks?
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
For the hundreds of young activists and their allies who have pressed hard for the idea of a Youth Climate Corps, the YCC’s inclusion in this week’s fed budget should be seen as a win, but not overstated.
Here’s our take in today’s @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/o...
Here’s our take in today’s @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/o...
Youth Climate Corps breaks into federal Budget 2025
For the hundreds of young activists and their allies (including many supportive members of Parliament) who have pressed hard for this idea, this news comes as a welcome relief and should be seen as a ...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
For the hundreds of young activists and their allies who have pressed hard for the idea of a Youth Climate Corps, the YCC’s inclusion in this week’s fed budget should be seen as a win, but not overstated.
Here’s our take in today’s @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/o...
Here’s our take in today’s @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/o...
Three missed opportunities in Canada's federal budget:
1) "Sacrifice"—but not asked of the wealthy;
2) Bold rhetoric but weak action on housing;
3) Productivity drive that misses key low-hanging fruit;
Some reflections for @bcpolicy.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/11/07/c...
1) "Sacrifice"—but not asked of the wealthy;
2) Bold rhetoric but weak action on housing;
3) Productivity drive that misses key low-hanging fruit;
Some reflections for @bcpolicy.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/11/07/c...
Three missed opportunities in Canada’s federal budget
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget comes at an important moment for Canada as we face an increasingly hostile United States and the need to chart our own path.
The choices this gover...
bcpolicy.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Three missed opportunities in Canada's federal budget:
1) "Sacrifice"—but not asked of the wealthy;
2) Bold rhetoric but weak action on housing;
3) Productivity drive that misses key low-hanging fruit;
Some reflections for @bcpolicy.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/11/07/c...
1) "Sacrifice"—but not asked of the wealthy;
2) Bold rhetoric but weak action on housing;
3) Productivity drive that misses key low-hanging fruit;
Some reflections for @bcpolicy.bsky.social bcpolicy.ca/2025/11/07/c...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Hot takes on climate implications of the 2025 Cdn budget. On one hand, lots of emphasis on investment in the low-carbon economy of the future, and using GHG reductions/$ as a standard for public investments. On the other, embrace of and subsidies for LNG as clean energy. \1
November 4, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Hot takes on climate implications of the 2025 Cdn budget. On one hand, lots of emphasis on investment in the low-carbon economy of the future, and using GHG reductions/$ as a standard for public investments. On the other, embrace of and subsidies for LNG as clean energy. \1
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Mamdani's NYC win shows people want bold policies that work.
Want to see similar solutions in BC? @bcpolicy.bsky.social researches and advocates for actionable, evidence-based progressive policies for our province.
Bold policy change takes resources. Be a part of the change: www.bcpolicy.ca/donate
Want to see similar solutions in BC? @bcpolicy.bsky.social researches and advocates for actionable, evidence-based progressive policies for our province.
Bold policy change takes resources. Be a part of the change: www.bcpolicy.ca/donate
Donate
We rely on support from individual supporters to produce critical research and mobilize progressive policy knowledge into key conversations with decision-makers, the media, progressive movements and t...
www.bcpolicy.ca
November 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Mamdani's NYC win shows people want bold policies that work.
Want to see similar solutions in BC? @bcpolicy.bsky.social researches and advocates for actionable, evidence-based progressive policies for our province.
Bold policy change takes resources. Be a part of the change: www.bcpolicy.ca/donate
Want to see similar solutions in BC? @bcpolicy.bsky.social researches and advocates for actionable, evidence-based progressive policies for our province.
Bold policy change takes resources. Be a part of the change: www.bcpolicy.ca/donate
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
🎙️ New Podcast: Anjali, Seth, & Alex Hemingway break down #Budget2025 & the Climate Competitiveness Strategy. We also talk housing, public revenue & Zohran Mamdani!
🎧 Tune in: tinyurl.com/bdcn7ahy
@anjaliappadurai.bsky.social @sethdklein.bsky.social @1alexhemingway.bsky.social @bcpolicy.bsky.social
🎧 Tune in: tinyurl.com/bdcn7ahy
@anjaliappadurai.bsky.social @sethdklein.bsky.social @1alexhemingway.bsky.social @bcpolicy.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🎙️ New Podcast: Anjali, Seth, & Alex Hemingway break down #Budget2025 & the Climate Competitiveness Strategy. We also talk housing, public revenue & Zohran Mamdani!
🎧 Tune in: tinyurl.com/bdcn7ahy
@anjaliappadurai.bsky.social @sethdklein.bsky.social @1alexhemingway.bsky.social @bcpolicy.bsky.social
🎧 Tune in: tinyurl.com/bdcn7ahy
@anjaliappadurai.bsky.social @sethdklein.bsky.social @1alexhemingway.bsky.social @bcpolicy.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
The hierarchy of controls in this article is excellent!
November 2, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The hierarchy of controls in this article is excellent!
Encouraging to see YIMBY housing analysis from the New York Democratic Socialists of America, which Zohran Mamdani comes out of. He's also made encouraging comments himself.
Here's hoping that good policy follows!
Trump can't stop New York from ending exclusionary zoning.
Here's hoping that good policy follows!
Trump can't stop New York from ending exclusionary zoning.
Zoning reform measures have divided tenant advocates in New York. Yet loosening the city’s anti-housing regime is essential if we ever want to build social housing at scale.
You Can’t Have Social Housing Without Building Housing
Zoning reform measures have divided tenant advocates in New York. Yet loosening the city’s anti-housing regime is essential if we ever want to build social housing at scale.
jacobin.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Encouraging to see YIMBY housing analysis from the New York Democratic Socialists of America, which Zohran Mamdani comes out of. He's also made encouraging comments himself.
Here's hoping that good policy follows!
Trump can't stop New York from ending exclusionary zoning.
Here's hoping that good policy follows!
Trump can't stop New York from ending exclusionary zoning.
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Ahead of mayoral election results in #NYC take a look at thoughts from our racial equity researcher Véronique Sioufi.
bcpolicy.ca/2025/08/...
bcpolicy.ca/2025/08/...
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Ahead of mayoral election results in #NYC take a look at thoughts from our racial equity researcher Véronique Sioufi.
bcpolicy.ca/2025/08/...
bcpolicy.ca/2025/08/...
Thinking ahead to tomorrow's federal budget and all the talk of Canadians needing to make sacrifices, I can't help but wonder when the wealthiest few might be asked to do that.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
A federal wealth tax could raise half a trillion dollars for Canada.
Extreme wealth concentration is damaging our economy and society. Taxing the super-rich could fund transformative public investments to build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
New report: bcpolicy.ca/wealth-tax
Extreme wealth concentration is damaging our economy and society. Taxing the super-rich could fund transformative public investments to build a stronger, more resilient Canada.
New report: bcpolicy.ca/wealth-tax
A wealth tax could raise half a trillion dollars for a stronger, fairer Canada
New report on the effects of wealth inequality, the revenue potential of a wealth tax, counter-arguments and an outline of transformative public investments.
bcpolicy.ca
November 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Thinking ahead to tomorrow's federal budget and all the talk of Canadians needing to make sacrifices, I can't help but wonder when the wealthiest few might be asked to do that.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
Unfortunately I don't think that's part of the plan.
In next week's budget, the federal government has an opportunity to bolster employee ownership and economic democracy to strengthen Canada's economy. Will they take it?
bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/06/t...
bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/06/t...
Budget 2025 should bolster employee ownership to strengthen Canada’s economy
Budget 2025 is an opportunity to make employee ownership permanent and boost productivity by extending and expanding the capital gains exemption for EOTs.
bcpolicy.ca
October 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
In next week's budget, the federal government has an opportunity to bolster employee ownership and economic democracy to strengthen Canada's economy. Will they take it?
bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/06/t...
bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/06/t...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
We’re bringing them back—here is the first of hopefully many sixplexes we build in Spokane!
October 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM
We’re bringing them back—here is the first of hopefully many sixplexes we build in Spokane!
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
The city's survey on the draft Official Development Plan (which is supposed to guide planning for the next 30 years!) closes TOMORROW, Wed October 29.
Want some help filling out the survey? Don't worry. We got you. With our help it'll only take a minute!
www.abundanthousingv...
Want some help filling out the survey? Don't worry. We got you. With our help it'll only take a minute!
www.abundanthousingv...
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The city's survey on the draft Official Development Plan (which is supposed to guide planning for the next 30 years!) closes TOMORROW, Wed October 29.
Want some help filling out the survey? Don't worry. We got you. With our help it'll only take a minute!
www.abundanthousingv...
Want some help filling out the survey? Don't worry. We got you. With our help it'll only take a minute!
www.abundanthousingv...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
To people looking for a home today, writes @dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social, it matters a great deal whether that home is built next year, or in ten. Re-legalizing small apartment buildings throughout our cities would create more homes faster. www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
To people looking for a home today, writes @dannyoleksiuk.bsky.social, it matters a great deal whether that home is built next year, or in ten. Re-legalizing small apartment buildings throughout our cities would create more homes faster. www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Canada has a housing crisis but it doesn’t affect everyone equally, a new report by our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social shows.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
Racial inequality in Canada’s housing market
This report synthesizes extensive literature on racial inequities in Canada's housing market, highlighting how systemic racism continues to exclude Indigenous, Black, Arab, Latin American, and other racialized and immigrant communities from stable, affordable housing.
bcpolicy.ca
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Canada has a housing crisis but it doesn’t affect everyone equally, a new report by our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social shows.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
The crisis affects Indigenous, Black, racialized and immigrant communities more than the population at large, she explains.
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
A 4 storey plex does stand in sharp contrast to a 50s bungalow, but the problem isn’t the plex - it’s the decades of exclusion where @cityofburnaby.bsky.social didn’t even allow lane houses until recently.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Public backlash to 'gigantic' multiplex homes in Burnaby, B.C., has council scaling back | CBC News
The City of Burnaby is reversing course on parts of its multiplex housing rules, after fielding complaints from residents about the size and scale of the new multi-unit homes in previously single-fami...
www.cbc.ca
October 19, 2025 at 11:40 PM
A 4 storey plex does stand in sharp contrast to a 50s bungalow, but the problem isn’t the plex - it’s the decades of exclusion where @cityofburnaby.bsky.social didn’t even allow lane houses until recently.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
I kept holding up Burnaby as a place that did SSMUH right. So much for that.
Time for the province to up the minimum standard that cities can get away with
Time for the province to up the minimum standard that cities can get away with
Burnaby started out with a forward-looking implementation of the provincial SSMUH legislation.
But after some “feedback from residents” they scaled that back to pretty much the minimum they can get away with under the legislation.
But after some “feedback from residents” they scaled that back to pretty much the minimum they can get away with under the legislation.
City Council cuts height and size of new Province-mandated developments | City of Burnaby
Burnaby City Council has approved changes to the R1 Zoning Bylaw to reduce the height and size of small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) projects, aiming to protect neighbourhood character and livabil...
www.burnaby.ca
October 17, 2025 at 5:28 AM
I kept holding up Burnaby as a place that did SSMUH right. So much for that.
Time for the province to up the minimum standard that cities can get away with
Time for the province to up the minimum standard that cities can get away with