The People Vs. The Economy: Is Populism Rewriting the Economic Rules?

CABE MONECO-ECONTRO POLICY CONFERENCE

Monday, August 26 – Tuesday, August 27, 2019

DELTA KINGSTON WATERFRONT Hotel
1 Johnson Street, Kingston, ON  K7L 5H7
Phone: 613-549-8100

The People Vs. The Economy: Is Populism Rewriting the Economic Rules?

It’s been a long time since politics have been so polarized, or since beliefs have eclipsed evidence in so many high places. This summer, we will gather at our annual summer outlook meeting as

• Canadians are on the verge of voting for the next federal government.
• The federation is deeply divided on strategies regarding climate change and energy.
• International trade relations are strained.
• The global economy is decelerating due to population aging and slowing trade.
• Extreme climate events are occurring with increased frequency.
• Anti-migration sentiments are escalating, even as the need for immigrants grows.
• Geopolitics are becoming more uncertain and volatile.

While the world is awash in change, many economic problems remain stubbornly constant. A decade after the financial crisis, has anything really changed in how the world of finance is governed, or how gains are distributed? Are the populists right that the game is rigged, and that the status quo is not serving the interests of the majority? Is populism actually rewriting the economic rules? Or simply making the rules harder to follow? These timely questions will spur discussions at CABE’s Moneco-Econtro conference in August.

 We plunge into the spirit of the moment on Monday evening with economist Stephanie Kelton, perhaps the most eloquent protagonist of Modern Monetary Theory. Professor Kelton was Chief Economist for the Democratic Minority on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee in 2015, economic advisor to Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign, and is senior economic advisor for Bernie2020. From her contributions to Bloomberg Opinion, The New York Times and the LA Times, to her forthcoming book, The Deficit Myth, Dr. Kelton clarifies for students and experts alike how economics and politics shape one another. Agree or disagree, you will not be bored.

Tuesday tackles a range of difficult debates for applied economists on topics such as the relevance of outlooks; the future of export-led growth strategies; the evolution of Canada’s energy sector; and the heart of so much populist momentum, labour issues. Instead of expert lectures on these themes, we have assembled a range of economists and experts with different views. The day will feature two morning and two afternoon sessions as follows:

1. Changing Outlooks: Is populism impacting economic forecasting?
   Brett House, Scotiabank; Frances Donald, Manulife.

2. Trade and Growth: Lessons from Populism and History
   Mark Warner, MAAW Law; Kevin McGurgan, HM Consul General and Director-General for UK Trade and Investment in Toronto; AngellaMacEwen, Canadian Union of Public Employees moderated by Kevin Carmichael, National Post

3. The Energy Chronicles: The Economics & Politics of 21st Century Oil and Gas
   Peter Tertzakian, ARC Energy Research Institute; André Plourde, Carleton University; Nancy Olewiler, Simon Fraser University; moderated by Todd Hirsch, ATB Financial

4. Labour Pains: Policies for labour shortages, labour surpluses….and people
   Elise Gould, Economic Policy Institute; Tony Stillo, Oxford Economics; 

This conference has a long and distinguished history. Every August, usually on the last Monday and Tuesday of the month, the Canadian Association for Business Economics (CABE) hosts a policy conference in Kingston, Ontario. This annual gathering has its roots over 50 years ago as it evolved from the Moneco-Econtro conference which had been organized in Kingston since 1961 by a group of business and government economists to discuss the key issues affecting the Canadian economy. https://www.cabe.ca/jmv3/index.php/tabe-presentations-documents-2/canadian-business-economics/cbe-52-11bra-pdf. Take part in the unfolding conversation of Canada’s economic story.

Registration Information

 
Conference proceedings run from Monday (August 26) evening at 18:00, through to 17:00 on Tuesday (August 27). Registration begins at 17:00 on August 26.

To access the member discount, you must be logged in to the web site as a valid national or chapter member.

Fees do NOT include hotel accommodation. A limited block of rooms will be held at the conference rate of $175 plus taxes until July 26, 2019. They have been known to sell out before the hold date expires. The group block is held under the name CABE CONFERENCE. Please call the hotel directly at 1-888-548-6726 or (613) 549-8100 to book a room.

The hotel's kitchen is one of the best in Ontario, always providing an exquisite 4-course dinner (with complementary wine) on Monday. Tuesday offers a delicious breakfast and served lunch, with vegetarian and feasible dietary restriction options on request at both meals. Please indicate meal preferences on your registration.

Please use the registrant’s email on the registration if payment details have different contact information.  The payment email can be entered at the appropriate stage.  Receipts will go to the payor.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing prior to August 15th, 2019 to be eligible for a refund. A service charge of $50.00 will apply. Substitutions are accepted up to August 21.

For all information or assistance please contact the CABE Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-855-CABE321/1-855-222-3321.