Media Clipping — Monday November 16, 2004, The Yukon News

Don't confuse cost with value

Ron Colman is a numbers cruncher. A policy wonk. Heck, he even brought a suit and tie to a meeting in Whitehorse.

But he knows his numbers so well, he can paint vivid pictures of what we are doing wrong and show audiences how much better off this country could be if we changed our thinking.

Colman is the founder and executive director of GPI Atlantic, a non-profit research organization that is trying to change how Canadians measure their progress.

"You better say, 'well being'," he corrects himself. You see, "progress" isn't always progress.

"Currently, policy makers and journalists rely on the economic growth statistics," says Colman.

"These indicators are misleading and even dangerous."

When you consider that a growing economy means more money is being spent, then, "The Exxon Valdez added more to the economy than if the oil had been delivered."

There were clean-up costs, legal fees and photographers flying in. Colman is afraid that an Alaska politician, somewhere in Juneau, is patting himself on the back for showing such impressive "numbers".

Of course that same politician won't arrange for another oil spill. But Colman says something equally silly is happening around the world: Resources are being depleted and it is being called, "economic gain".

"It's like a factory selling off its machinery and considering it profit."

Crime causes economic growth. Illness causes economic growth.

Looking at the flip side, Colman says volunteer work is not valued because it doesn't involve money changing hands.

Everyone can agree volunteerism makes a community better. Where would we be without our indoor soccer coaches, visitors for the elderly, Scout leaders and community theatre performers?

Yet volunteer work decreased by 12.3 percent in the last 10 years, says Colman.

"How many politicians know that number?" he asks. "How can we strengthen that? How can we help?

"If we are not measuring it right, it doesn't get attention and doesn't make it onto the policy agenda.

"Nobody noticed so nobody is doing anything about it."

Colman won't do anything about it. It's his mission to "shine a spotlight on assets that are not fully valued and appreciated" so that others can do something about it.

For eight years now, he has run the "think tank" from his home just outside of Halifax, NS.

His staff includes eight to 20 statisticians, environmental scientists, community health researchers and anyone else who can help.

GPI Atlantic is working on the final three components of 22 groups of indicators that offer a truer picture of Nova Scotia's social, economic, health and environmental progress.

As components are completed, he is helping other provinces rethink the way they look at themselves.

It is a project that has spread to seven provinces, eight universities and five non-government organizations.

The Yukon Council on the Economy and the Environment, an independent advisory group that encourages sustainable development, invited Colman to the Yukon.

It was his job to sell the idea of looking at data from a more useful perspective. He says the YCEE already has developed indicators of sustainable development that are "excellent".

He spoke with government officials Wednesday afternoon and then spoke to an audience of 50 that night at the Gold Rush Inn.

He told Yukoners they can place a different value on different things and be in a position to make better decisions.

For instance, banning tobacco from Whitehorse restaurants and bars will add value to the economy.

Studies prove that those who smoked in these establishments will buy 20 to 25 percent less tobacco. This contributes to lower health costs and more productivity in the long term from these people.

As for the more immediate effects, Colman says the hospitality industry will not lose any money.

Some restaurants and bars will do worse. Yet those that market themselves better, or even just differently, will see an increase.

As for the addition of big-box retailers in Whitehorse, Colman says he hasn't seen the numbers.

But there are other ways to place a value on its effects: Is a person healthier and happier running their own business or working at Wal-Mart?

How will their anti-union policies affect workers? Will customers be better served by a clerk in a multi-national chain store or by an owner/operator?

Colman says he was happy to fly to Whitehorse on Air North for this reason.

He says he heard an announcement on the plane that said local suppliers are used whenever possible and all recycled material is gathered and the proceeds are given to charity.

"This airline has a bigger view. It is looking at a prosperous Yukon as a whole.

"Some think this goes beyond business function. I say this is just good business."

As for the proposed bridge in Dawson City, again, Colman says he has no prior knowledge of the issues.

But he says it is an opportunity for the community to look at it as more than just a way to make transportation quicker. It should be looked at as a way to improve quality of life.

"Build it here or there, build it this way or that," he says. "Look at it and that could lead to better decisions."

This was Colman's first trip to the Yukon and he was full of questions: What are the key issues? Population? Industry? Roots of residents?

When he is asked if the Yukon has the right kind of value, he says, "From the little I know, there is no question in my mind."

But, to explain, he turns to a pile of books on the dresser in his hotel room. He pulls out a clipping from Wednesday's Yukon News and quotes directly from Gregory Heming's column:

"Gone from our cities is any real sense of serenity, everywhere a bustling hodgepodge of 'busy-ness'."

"This guy gets it," he says as he refolds the page and puts it on the pile to be packed soon for his trip to Vancouver... and more meetings.

"Does Canada need open, clean spaces with a slower pace and where people know each other?" he asks rhetorically.

Colman doesn't need a spreadsheet to answer this one: "I would say, 'yes'."

Copyright © 2004, The Yukon News

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