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
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
Check out the recording of our recent housing webinar.
In the opening presentation, I make the case that ambitious non-market housing investment, addressing the overall shortage of housing supply, and ending exclusionary zoning are all essential to solving the crisis. bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/03/s...
In the opening presentation, I make the case that ambitious non-market housing investment, addressing the overall shortage of housing supply, and ending exclusionary zoning are all essential to solving the crisis. bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/03/s...
🎬 The housing crisis is solvable—key policies + local lessons
[Webinar recording] Alex Hemingway ( senior economist, BC Policy Solutions) and Sarah Ellis (Executive Director, Squamish Community Housing Society and former city planner) discuss BC’s housing crisis...
bcpolicy.ca
October 16, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Check out the recording of our recent housing webinar.
In the opening presentation, I make the case that ambitious non-market housing investment, addressing the overall shortage of housing supply, and ending exclusionary zoning are all essential to solving the crisis. bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/03/s...
In the opening presentation, I make the case that ambitious non-market housing investment, addressing the overall shortage of housing supply, and ending exclusionary zoning are all essential to solving the crisis. bcpolicy.ca/2025/10/03/s...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
AI, civil liberties and your job—what you need to know.
Our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social offers a crash course on AI; risks to our jobs and civil liberties; policies needed for AI to serve people over profit.
Oct 29, Noon PT—Register Now!
bcpolicy.ca/events
Our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social offers a crash course on AI; risks to our jobs and civil liberties; policies needed for AI to serve people over profit.
Oct 29, Noon PT—Register Now!
bcpolicy.ca/events
October 14, 2025 at 7:05 PM
AI, civil liberties and your job—what you need to know.
Our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social offers a crash course on AI; risks to our jobs and civil liberties; policies needed for AI to serve people over profit.
Oct 29, Noon PT—Register Now!
bcpolicy.ca/events
Our racial equity researcher @verosioufi.bsky.social offers a crash course on AI; risks to our jobs and civil liberties; policies needed for AI to serve people over profit.
Oct 29, Noon PT—Register Now!
bcpolicy.ca/events
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
The federal goal of doubling housing "requires some very significant policy changes from all levels of government,” says @1alexhemingway.bsky.social.
This includes ending apartment bans, funding infrastructure differently & ending restrictions on multiplexes, he says.
This includes ending apartment bans, funding infrastructure differently & ending restrictions on multiplexes, he says.
Building-boom ambitions meet economic headwinds in B.C.
More workers, productivity, capital needed to meet feds' target of doubling home construction, say some economists
www.biv.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The federal goal of doubling housing "requires some very significant policy changes from all levels of government,” says @1alexhemingway.bsky.social.
This includes ending apartment bans, funding infrastructure differently & ending restrictions on multiplexes, he says.
This includes ending apartment bans, funding infrastructure differently & ending restrictions on multiplexes, he says.
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
"Humans aren’t very efficient movers—until you put us on a bicycle, when we become some of the most energy-efficient land travelers in the animal kingdom."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
October 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
"Humans aren’t very efficient movers—until you put us on a bicycle, when we become some of the most energy-efficient land travelers in the animal kingdom."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-hu...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
This is extremely alarming. Prime Minister @mark-carney.bsky.social won the federal election promising to make us *less* depending on the US. Now we are hearing reports that he is offering up a CLOSER energy and military partnership in exchange for a trade deal... 🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney raised Keystone XL pipeline revival in meeting with Trump | CBC News
Relief for Canada from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum may come thanks to renewed interest in a pipeline project first proposed more than 15 years ago.
www.cbc.ca
October 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This is extremely alarming. Prime Minister @mark-carney.bsky.social won the federal election promising to make us *less* depending on the US. Now we are hearing reports that he is offering up a CLOSER energy and military partnership in exchange for a trade deal... 🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
YIMBYs (like @ahvancouver.bsky.social) often say, "legalize apartments", or "end the apartment ban".
I don't want to speak for anyone else. But when I say that--things like this is what I'm talking about. No street, no neighbourhood, is too good for housing like this.
Housing is good!
I don't want to speak for anyone else. But when I say that--things like this is what I'm talking about. No street, no neighbourhood, is too good for housing like this.
Housing is good!
The New Vancouver Special - 50' lot edition.
Accessible single stair flats on a 50x122 lot.
12 family size homes (or) 24 small units.
Accessible single stair flats on a 50x122 lot.
12 family size homes (or) 24 small units.
October 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
YIMBYs (like @ahvancouver.bsky.social) often say, "legalize apartments", or "end the apartment ban".
I don't want to speak for anyone else. But when I say that--things like this is what I'm talking about. No street, no neighbourhood, is too good for housing like this.
Housing is good!
I don't want to speak for anyone else. But when I say that--things like this is what I'm talking about. No street, no neighbourhood, is too good for housing like this.
Housing is good!
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
So the CoV's plexes in the R1-1 zone are enough to make it not a "restricted zone", even though the CoV plexes are much smaller and more restricted than the province intended its SSMUHs to be. And even the new enforcement powers introduced today only apply to "restricted zones", so 🤷
October 9, 2025 at 10:14 PM
So the CoV's plexes in the R1-1 zone are enough to make it not a "restricted zone", even though the CoV plexes are much smaller and more restricted than the province intended its SSMUHs to be. And even the new enforcement powers introduced today only apply to "restricted zones", so 🤷
Reposted by Alex Hemingway
Sadly the new provincial reforms to their multiplex system appear to continue to NOT apply to the City of Vancouver.
The Province continues to ignore Vancouver's housing shortage, the epicenter of the provincial housing crisis.
The Province continues to ignore Vancouver's housing shortage, the epicenter of the provincial housing crisis.
October 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Sadly the new provincial reforms to their multiplex system appear to continue to NOT apply to the City of Vancouver.
The Province continues to ignore Vancouver's housing shortage, the epicenter of the provincial housing crisis.
The Province continues to ignore Vancouver's housing shortage, the epicenter of the provincial housing crisis.