In a few short months, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be handing out Oscars to movie stars and directors for their work on the big screen. But what if the Academy had special awards for economic news makers? Who would top the nominee list, and who would walk away with the hardware?

The Economic Oscar Awards 2011 might go something like this:

I’m disappointed with the OWS movement – particularly the movement within Canada. The reason? I think they totally dropped the ball.

Issues such as growing income inequity, poverty, and disenfranchisement of the most vulnerable are very important. They deserve attention and action by our policy leaders. But the Occupy movement has actually been quite lazy in making their case. Camping out in public spaces has appeal for those looking to get involved, but in terms of affecting change and raising awareness in the public consciousness, it has been a big failure.

The REAL warriors are the ones volunteering countless hours for organizations that actually help shelter the homeless, or feed the hungry. The warriors are the ones working for social organizations that provide help to vulnerable women and children. The warriors are the ones that are working the phones for their political representatives that care about social issues. The warriors are the ones joining community groups that want to actually make a change in the way we see each other and the world.

All of these things take time and energy. And if as much energy that has gone into arguing about where camping should be permitted had been re-directed towards these activities, maybe Canada would be a little further along in solving some of them.

I’m disappointed that the Occupy movement had for more than a month captured Canada’s attention, and did nothing with it. Instead of saying something positive or actually providing realistic solutions, all they did was shout slogans that didn’t even make sense. They managed to marginalize the message of social justice, and for that I think we will all suffer.
It’s too bad. Such a great opportunity, but such a lazy effort.

Last week's news of the delay of the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to the US gulf coast continues to send reverberations throughout the province this week. It raises serious questions about the future of the oilsands—particularly if the energy industry can no longer simply assume that transporting products to market is (in the words of the Prime Minister) a "no brainer."