Prof. Thomas Velkhttps://themetropolitain.ca/articles/author/60frahttps://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/852https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/852On June 19th China’s central bank, called The People’s Bank of China, announced that it will “increase the renminbi’s “exchange-rate flexibility”, meaning that the U.S. dollar cost of buying Chinese money (also termed “Yuan”) might go up.  And so everything that the West buys from China, ranging from computer parts, TVs, heavy machinery and plastic toys to edamame (the Chinese supplied “Japanese” soy beans you eat in Asian restaurants) and London Cabs (the firm is owned by China’s Geeley company) may cost a bit more.Prof. Thomas VelkThu, 22 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -0400https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/833https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/833The fundamental notion that lay at the heart of the economic Quiet Revolution in Quebec was that central state planning, management and control would pay off in effective delivery of vital services at affordable prices  to privileged and vulnerable alike and give society an appropriate return as well. This actually succeeded, in large part,  in two and possibly three sectors that are keys to Quebec’s future: hydro power, finance and (to a lesser degree) education.  We followed, somewhat, the model of America’s Alexander Hamilton, who, knowing full well the benefits of free trade and private markets, nonetheless advocated a protective tariff for domestic industry, a home-grown big banking system and strong guarantees for full payment of public debt. Prof. Thomas VelkThu, 10 Jun 2010 09:00:00 -0400https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/842https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/842On June 19th China’s central bank, called The People’s Bank of China, announced that it will “increase the renminbi’s “exchange-rate flexibility”, meaning that the U.S. dollar cost of buying Chinese money (also termed “Yuan”) might go up.  And so everything that the West buys from China, ranging from computer parts, TVs, heavy machinery and plastic toys to edamame (the Chinese supplied “Japanese” soy beans you eat in Asian restaurants) and London Cabs (the firm is owned by China’s Geeley company) may cost a bit more.Prof. Thomas VelkThu, 10 Jun 2010 08:50:00 -0400https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/248https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/248George Bush is not running for President, but Barack Obama is running against him anyway. With every call for change, the charismatic young Senator reminds the electorate that he is not merely anti-Bush, but The Anti-Bush...Prof. Thomas VelkThu, 21 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0400https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/279https://themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/279Cooperation with the United States earns Canada economic gains and gives it a discrete national identity. Meaningful cooperation is always possible, but international conflicts that shift the U.S. balance of power toward the executive branch represent unique opportunities for Canada to extend her national interest...Prof. Thomas VelkThu, 10 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0400