Benjamin Neff

Dad | Policy Wonk | Consultant | @policy_school alumni | Political Nerd

[Brad West @BradWestPoCo]

Re-upping my previous commentary on our regrettable transition to a real estate economy, which seems particularly relevant in the last week.

“Let’s be honest: status quo politicians have taken us too far down this road to turn back without consequence. The damage is already being felt — and more is coming. But that doesn’t mean we can stay the course. We must act deliberately, and with purpose, to shift away from an economic model where our primary export is real estate, toward one where we build and produce the goods, technology, and services the world actually needs.”

Read here: https://t.co/xAMm75dg6m

[Sean Speer @Sean_Speer]

Carney and the Calgary School

This week, the @broadbent resurfaced an essay from last year using the so-called “Calgary School” as a lens to understand Prime Minister Carney’s political economy, particularly in light of his government’s recent economic and fiscal update.

Such framing represents a category error and a reminder that parts of the Left have an elastic and ultimately unhelpful understanding of the Right.

Start with the latter. The Calgary School wasn’t a formal doctrine so much as a loose group of scholars based in the University of Calgary’s political science department, including figures like Tom Flanagan, Ted Morton, Rainer Knopff, and Barry Cooper. Their principal focus was on political institutions—with a particular focus on the division of powers within Canadian federalism. They viewed the Constitution’s decentralized model as a strength that reflected Canada’s diversity and pluralism.

Running through this tradition was a general skepticism about centralized authority. Influenced by thinkers like Friedrich Hayek and the Public Choice scholars, they emphasized the limits of governments to manage complex economic systems from the centre. Markets and federalism, for all their imperfections, disperse decision-making and knowledge in ways that top-down models struggle to replicate.

Which is why it’s a stretch to cast Carney as part of this tradition.

His government’s emerging economic agenda points in the opposite direction. The creation of entities like the Canada Strong Fund, the Build Canada Homes agency, and other quasi-independent bodies reflects a preference for centralized, technocratic management of the economy. These institutions are designed to mobilize and direct capital toward government-defined priorities. Think of it as economic and political coordination from the centre.

There’s a historical analogue here—and it’s not the Calgary School. It’s the interventionist turn in Canadian political economy associated with Pierre Trudeau in the 1970s, updated with the language of modern finance.

There are, of course, fair critiques of the Carney government. But if I may defend the prime minister: anti-statism isn’t one of them. If anything, the Calgary School’s core insight—that governments should be cautious about concentrating economic power—stands as a useful warning about the direction that Carney now seems inclined to take.

[John Shannon @JShannonhl]

I knew John Garrett for more than 40 years…worked alongside him at Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet for half that time.

John was everything you could ask for in a friend, a co-worker and a teammate. He did his job with the right level of professionalism… with gravitas and humour.

He loved the Canucks, the Blue Jays and being the Grandfather.

Most of all, he loved his wife Sharon

He was the best of us.

[Rob Williams @RobTheHockeyGuy]

From John Garrett’s final #Canucks broadcast in 2023. Classy as can be.

#RIPCeech

[Sitka Media @sitkamedia]

BC MP @takovanpopta says he's "very pleased" Poilievre has tapped him to lead a new task force on protecting property rights:

"For the first time, a Canadian court has declared Aboriginal title on privately-held lands. That's never been done before. It is not necessary for reconciliation."

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

@jkenney @NVanCaroline I appreciate that you are working hard to see strong and principled conservative governments come into office across the country to help Canada chart a course towards a preferred future for this country.

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

@NickKouvalis Not saying that the leadership vote should be delayed but Milobar is right about the state of the database-needs an overhaul again.

[Kevin Bieksa @kbieksa3]

Best tweet of your life Eric!
Not making a better one ever. Might as well shut it down now 😂

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

@RealAlbanianPat That's a cursed timeline if I ever saw one-for every team involved.

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

@RealAlbanianPat At least you are contributing and pushing for innovation in the political observance industry. Well done.

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

@RealAlbanianPat I feel you. Happened to me to.

[The Vancouver Sun @VancouverSun]

B.C.'s credit rating downgraded after record deficit projected https://t.co/3Obij6W2xU

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

@Prominent_Bryan Says the candidate that was a bully in the CPC caucus. Her history shows that is not how she operates.

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

No clearer indicator for how out-of-touch the TransLink planners/Execs are in that the two Langley Skytrain stations have zero planned parking as part of the project. How are Langley residents to use them with no parking and the atrocious transit we have here? #LangleyTownship

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

Tense start to the year at ToL council with exchanges between Progress councillors and independent councillors around a delegation and associated motion on Water Resilience and Emergency Preparedness. Decorum out the window on day one.
#LangleyTownship

[Langley Advance Times @LangleyTimes]

A polite but pointed reminder by the co-founder of the Langley Afghanistan memorial to the fallen that Canadians were in fact on the front lines.

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

The residents of the Township of Langley have a significant year ahead of them in 2026--municipal elections, provincial instability, new community amenities, new transit consultations, utility programs, and the debate over how we pay for it all. #langley #ToL

[Benjamin Neff @BenjaminNeff2]

I am for acting to increase the protection and conservation of our environment without destroying our standard of living. This is a position based on good stewardship, responsible economics, and national security. #cdnpoli

https://t.co/v5CR1qsTqK

[Poli LEGO @PoliLego]

Our tribute to Mark Warawa who is undergoing cancer testing and is retiring after 15 years as Member of Parliament for #Langley - #Aldergrove and 29 years of public service.

Here’s @MPMarkWarawa... in LEGO!#cdnpoli #cpc