In our latest editorial, Politics Editor Jonathan Wits delves into Canada’s focus on ambitious climate change initiatives. He argues that they are not only economically burdensome but also out of touch with the struggles of Canadians, fuelling skepticism about climate policies, perpetuating climate change denial, and contributing to growing political division, specifically against the Liberal Party, under the former leadership of Justin Trudeau.

The federal carbon tax has become a focal point of political and public debate in Canada, raising questions about its effectiveness and fairness. QBR Politics and the World Editor Alex Chou examines its fiscal and environmental impacts alongside the regional disparities driving criticism. With Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation and growing discontent over rising living costs, the tax faces a pivotal moment ahead of an incoming federal election. Is it an essential tool to address climate change or an undue financial burden on the Canadian people?

In this editorial, QBR Senior Politics Editor Amin Nazari delves into the uncertain landscape facing North American startups. As Canada heads toward a pivotal election, the piece examines how policy shifts from deregulation and tax cuts in Washington to stalled reforms and rising capital gains taxes in Ottawa could reshape the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Drawing on global examples and current data, he highlights the precarious balance between fostering cutting-edge innovation and consolidating corporate power, setting the stage for a high-stakes debate on the future of economic growth and technological leadership.

In this editorial, Politics and the World Editor Maya Galvin furthers her preceding QBR article’s conversation regarding women’s fight to have a voice in politics, this time shifting to a citizen-based perspective. She does so by explaining and examining the mass rape trial in France that captured the world’s attention in its three and a half month duration, instilling onlookers with a sense of sheer horror. Galvin highlights the woman at the center of the case, Gisèle Pelicot, focusing less on what was done to her, and instead showcasing Gisèle’s noble fight against rape culture. This article, while zeroing in on France’s antiquated narratives around consent and sexual violence, underscores the global ubiquity of rape culture, ultimately giving the world a much needed reality check regarding where the problem of rape and sexual violence really lies.

Liquidity shapes the valuation and pricing of nearly every asset - real estate, commodities, derivatives, credit to even public equities – liquidity is an important measure in calibrating an equilibrium price. Economics and Policy Editor, Rishab Chakraborty, explores an overview of the role of liquidity in each asset class, and explores many effective price discovery mechanisms and means of measurement. He delves into an overview of the conceptual regulatory, economic, and commercial barriers and promises of liquid markets.

In this editorial, QBR Economics & Policy Editor Tomas Serrano delves into the deep flaws within Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, revealing how it has become a tool for exploitation under the guise of addressing labor shortages. Originally intended to fill gaps in the workforce, the program has been co-opted by firms seeking to cut costs, leaving foreign workers vulnerable to abuse and Canadian workers grappling with rising unemployment. Serrano examines the power imbalances, lack of protections, and systemic failures that have drawn comparisons to modern slavery. Despite recent reforms, the government’s efforts have fallen short of addressing the mistreatment of foreign workers and the broader economic implications. This article is a compelling call to action for meaningful change to uphold workers' rights and restore integrity to Canada’s labor market.

Drugs like Ozempic are revolutionizing society, with the potential to alleviate the $173 billion burden of obesity on the U.S. economy while reshaping workplace productivity and consumer spending. Senior Economics and Policy Editor Gefen Shpil examines the broader economic impacts of GLP-1 drugs, from their role in driving Denmark’s unprecedented growth through Novo Nordisk to the challenges of accessibility and corporate benefits policies. This article explores how this pharmaceutical breakthrough could redefine global health and economics, while cautioning against the risks of over-reliance on a single industry.

Artificial intelligence is making big changes in how we approach health and infrastructure. In this article, Liam Woolstencroft explores how AI helps doctors diagnose diseases more accurately and researchers develop new treatments faster. He also looks at how AI is improving infrastructure, from managing energy grids more efficiently to preventing costly breakdowns with predictive maintenance. While the benefits are clear, Liam also considers the challenges, including privacy concerns and the high costs of adopting new technology. This article offers a balanced view of how AI is shaping two critical areas of our lives. 

Biometric technologies, once the domain of science fiction, have become integral to modern life, enhancing security and convenience across various sectors. QBR Editor Ining Wei examines the evolution of biometric authentication, its applications, and the associated reliability and security challenges, and also explores the legal and privacy implications, highlighting existing frameworks like the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act and proposing future measures to address emerging concerns. Through a comprehensive analysis, the article aims to provide insights into the complexities of biometric technology and its impact on society.