A new Montreal Economic Institute study examines the level of productivity in the public sector.

Health care reform, one of the cornerstones of US President Barack Obama's administration, is being debated in a live broadcast by Democrat and Republican politicians in Washington, DC.

The Brookings Institution The Obama administration on June 30th released a more detailed legislative proposal for its proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). It appears to retain the intended benefit of a clear focus on consumer protection while addressing seriously my own two principal concerns: (a) the potential for crushing useful products by attempting to banish everything carrying risk even when the rewards would outweigh the risks and (b) the possibility of encouraging an agency consumed with empire building.

After months of discussion, including a prominent speech by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in March, a recent report by the US Government Accountability Office formally confirmed the symbiotic relationship between drugs and guns in perpetuating and escalating the current War on Drugs waged by both the American and Mexican governments. Americans are both demanding the drugs and supplying the guns that have made this crackdown so deadly.  More than 11 000 Mexicans have died as a direct result of the conflict since it escalated in 2006.

El nuevo Reglamento de Transparencia, Acceso a la Información Pública y Protección de Datos Personales de la Cámara de Diputados entró en vigor ayer tras su publicación en el Diario Oficial de la Federación. Dicha normatividad interna es de observancia general para los diputados y servidores públicos que laboran en la Cámara; entre los órganos obligados a generar información destacan la Mesa Directiva, la Junta de Coordinación Política, los grupos parlamentarios, las comisiones ordinarias de trabajo, la Secretaría General, la Contraloría Interna y la Coordinación de Comunicación Social. Se cre

A Conversation with Ben S. Bernanke Speaker: BEN S. BERNANKE, Chairman, Federal ReserverPresider: DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN, Cofounder and Managing Director, The Carlyle Group Speaking at CFR on March 10, 2009, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben. S. Bernanke urged an overhaul of U.S. financial regulation that might translate to added oversight authority for the Fed. Read Chairman Bernanke's Prepared RemarksListen to Audio

The U.S. automaker General Motors warned in its delayed annual report to investors that its auditors have raised significant doubts (WSJ) about the company's ability to starve off bankruptcy and continue operations. Here is the text of the report (PDF). Bloomberg reports festering problems at GM and other U.S. automakers have increased pressure on the U.S. Treasury to provide more funds to the firms or face their failure. From the March 5, 2009 CFR.org Daily News Brief.

A recent assessment by Global Integrity (GI) an independent agency that monitors transparency and corrupption worldwide, confirms what many citizens already believe: that there are serious problems with corrupt officials throughout branches of government and law enforcement in Mexico.

Canadians and Mexicans are looking at the American on January 20 and wondering what a new administration will bring and how this will affect the future of North America. Ambassadors will be a key issue for the United State’s North American neighbours; there is no doubt that these individuals will serve as key members of the White House team.