Jon Milton, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Canada Post is a vital Canadian institution—why doesn’t the government act that way? - CCPA

3 weeks ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton

On May 23, Canada Post workers once again entered a legal strike position. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) had previously been on strike less than six months ago, during the holiday season, in an attempt to work out a new collective agreement. So far, the workers have opted for an “overtime ban,” a refusal to do any overtime work, rather than a full strike.
Let’s call Bill 5 what it is—a power grab - CCPA

3 weeks ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton |Nathaniel Denaro

During Ontario’s February electoral campaign, Doug Ford capitalised on domestic and international stories which affectionately dubbed him “Captain Canada.” Donning a “Canada is Not for Sale” hat and engaging in open criticism of the U.S. President Donald Trump, Ford captured a third consecutive majority government. In the months since, however, the governing Progressive Conservatives have struggled to translate these slogans into tangible policy objectives.
Canada’s private sector workers need labour law reform

1 month ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton |Nathaniel Denaro

For private sector unions, the overarching trend of the last forty years has been one of decline. The rise of neoliberalism during the 1980s ushered in a wave of deindustrialisation and the offshoring of jobs in industries with high levels of union density. Nationally, this translated into a nine per cent decline in membership, from 37.6 per cent in 1981 to 28.7 per cent in 2022.
King Charles’ speech from the throne is a harbinger of a rightward shift

1 month ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton |Trish Hennessy |David Macdonald |Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood

For the first time since 1977, and the third time ever, the monarch of the British empire appeared before Canada’s parliament to read the speech from the throne to open a parliamentary session. King Charles’ words were, for the most part, written by officials in the newly elected Canadian government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney—and, as with all speeches from the throne, outline the government’s priorities for the coming parliament. Much of the content of the speech, then, was not surprising.
Joint letters won’t stop a genocide. An arms embargo and sanctions on Israel could.

1 month ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton

It seems like possibly, maybe, the countries of the world could be finally willing to consider putting some real pressure on Israel to stop its genocide in Gaza.
Where do Indigenous nations fit in renewed Canadian nationalism?

1 month ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton |Sondos Kataite

Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum follow a similar playbook as those he first imposed in 2018. What’s different this time around? The deeper fear they’ve reignited: not just economic hardship, but the threat of U.S. domination.
Canada has a disinformation problem—and the tools to fix it - CCPA

1 month ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton |Sondos Kataite

Canadians are increasingly aware of the corrosive effects of disinformation on democratic institutions. The spread of disinformation has catalyzed support for fringe movements and undermined trust in the democratic process. The Canadian government has recognized the detrimental effects of disinformation on Canadian politics and democracy. Other countries have taken decisive steps to tackle disinformation.
Why aren’t political parties talking about the rise in hate in Canada?

2 months ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton

As election day approaches, the campaign trail has been dominated by heated debates over tariffs, trade wars, housing affordability, defence spending and other issues in response to escalating tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Organizers are pushing to “Vote Palestine” in Canada’s federal election

2 months ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton |Changiz M. Varzi

Since Prime Minister Mark Carney dissolved Parliament and called a snap election, party leaders have focused their campaigns on economic issues, including the U.S. tariff war and tax cuts—but that’s not the only issue on the agenda. Activists and human rights organizations across Canada have formed the Vote Palestine campaign, and are pushing candidates to take a stand on Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which has claimed at least 51,000 lives.
Election debates are this week—here’s what leaders should be talking about - CCPA

2 months ago | policyalternatives.ca | Jon Milton

When the party leaders face off in the Radio-Canada building in Montreal on Wednesday for a French language debate—and then on Thursday in English—it will be the first time that they outline their programs in the presence of one another. They will be trying to woo the public and come across as the right person for the job—in particular, the job of staring down an increasingly belligerent United States, led by Donald Trump.