Brett House / @BrettEHouse

As one of the world’s most successful small and open economies, Canada should make the case for the free trade of goods, services and capital — even within the country, argues Brett House.

Done well, the initiative could leverage Canada’s strengths in finance, natural resources, infrastructure construction and engineering.

The recently announced $300 million initiative could be the beginning of a new era in Canada’s contributions to boosting prosperity and reducing poverty in poor countries.

The decision to create a “development finance initiative” is one of the most overdue and most innovative elements of the government’s economic action plan.

Making poverty history by 2030 will require massive increases in private investment, not just public aid, argues Brett House.

New templates for sovereign debt contracts mean that small groups of creditors can no longer hold governments hostage over repayment. By Brett House.

Linking debt payments to economic growth would be better for Greece and better for Europe. By Brett House.

Brett House on why Canada needs to add development finance institutions to its aid toolbox.

Brett House on the IMF’s new proposals for dealing with a sovereign debt crisis.

Both countries benefit from the multilateral system. They can work together to strengthen it, argue Brett House and Kevin English.

70 years since Bretton Woods, the multilateral system is once again in need of reinvention. Brett House on what to do.

Brett House and Kevin English on why central bank swaps should be channeled through the IMF.

Brett House on a new proposal that would allow the IMF to help debt-laden countries without forcing them to default.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings in favour of Argentina’s holdout creditors has thrown our sovereign debt restructuring mechanisms into doubt, says Brett House.

The case for a publicly-owned, profit-driven Development Finance Institution. By Brett House and James Haga.

For the WTO to succeed, it needs to supplement its inclusive, consensus-based negotiating processes with softer, more nimble approaches, says Brett House.

If Canada’s financial sector wants to compete, it needs a competitive advantage. Responsible investing could be that advantage, argues Brett House.

The cloud of persistent economic stagnation over the next decade hangs over the global economy, says Brett House. Can we reform our way to growth?

In the wake of the IMF/WB Spring Meetings, Brett House considers the continued role of the IMF in reforming the global financial system.

The International Monetary Fund turns 70 soon. Brett House on why we should celebrate.

Brett House on how Argentina’s debt saga shows why we need a better way to deal with bankrupt countries.

Global debt now stands at $100 trillion. This money is not going to be repaid. We need a new way to help governments in financial distress, says Richard Gitlin and Brett House.

But a realistic aid package would help, says Brett House.

When it comes to fighting corrupt business practices abroad, Canada has little to be proud of argue Brett House and David G. Landry.

Emerging markets should have taken advantage of high Chinese demand and easy credit to institute difficult reforms, says Brett House.

Brett House on why the IMF-World Bank meetings currently underway in Washington are just one way the international community collaborates on the economy.

Brett House on why Obama’s choice to replace Bernanke as chair of the Federal Reserve won’t mean that much of a difference for U.S. monetary policy.

International economic relations are all jammed up. Brett House on how Canada can help get things moving.