Work
We suggest:
- Human beings were made to work.
- Government policies should incentivize work.
- Everyone should have access to work and should receive just compensation for their labour, enabling them to have access to productive leisure.
- All work has dignity.
- The state, the market, and civil society (particularly institutions like unions) should work together to encourage just and meaningful work.
Supporting Research

Start Here
Ray Pennings,
Brian Dijkema
November 19, 2014
A social bias against employment in the skilled trades exists in this country. This culminating document of the Building Meaning project includes the Building Meaning in the Skilled Trades background paper, and our final series of recommendations for industry and labour stakeholders; educational institutions; governments; and researchers.

Brian Dijkema,
Morley Gunderson
December 17, 2019
There is a large hole in our public talk about work and wages. Reviewing the latest research, "Work is About More Than Money" uncovers the personal, social and psychological costs of unemployment. It identifies the missing pieces in our thinking and policymaking about labour to show why it is urgent to attend to the non-monetary benefits of work.

Johanna Lewis,
Brian Dijkema
March 23, 2022
We take a closer look at the human costs of Canadians with disabilities’ exclusion from work and identify some of the key questions standing in the way of positive policy reform.
Explorations

September 10, 2021
Join Mark Carney and Fr. Raymond de Souza as they sit down for a conversation on Mark’s latest book, Value(s): Building a Better World For All.

June 22, 2021
Join us as we Exit COVID: Toward what matters most.
Media Coverage


April 22, 2022
$272.6-million to improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities is “pretty underwhelming,” says Cardus's Brian Dijkema, compared to what the government spends on other priorities.


April 21, 2022
Brian Dijkema, Vice-President of External Affairs at Cardus, speaks out on the importance of work and reforming Canada’s system of disability benefits.
Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash


February 17, 2022
In the Hub Dialogues podcast, Cardus's Brian Dijkema discusses his unique path to the world of think tanks, the future of trade unions, the non-material benefits of work, and Quebec’s Bill 21.
Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash
Work
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What else are we working toward?
Strong Family Projects
Human Dignity Projects
Religious Freedom Projects
Healthy Community Projects
Formative Education Projects
Recent Projects
Strong Family Projects
Human Dignity Projects
Religious Freedom Projects
Healthy Community Projects
Formative Education Projects
Recent Projects
Strong Family Projects
Human Dignity Projects
Religious Freedom Projects
Healthy Community Projects
Formative Education Projects
Recent Projects
Strong Family Projects
Human Dignity Projects
Religious Freedom Projects
Healthy Community Projects
Formative Education Projects
Recent Projects
Strong Family Projects
Human Dignity Projects
Religious Freedom Projects
Healthy Community Projects
Formative Education Projects
Recent Projects
Strong Family Projects
Human Dignity Projects
Religious Freedom Projects
Healthy Community Projects
Formative Education Projects
Recent Projects