Ontario Prosperity

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Ontario, 2019

— Nov 28, 2019

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Ontario finds that public-sector employees in Ontario—including municipal, provincial and federal government workers—received 10.3 per cent higher wages on average than comparable workers in the private sector last year, and also enjoyed more generous pensions, earlier retirement, more personal leave and greater job security.

The Ontario Government’s Electricity Policies 2018–2019: How They Are Failing and How to Fix Them

— Nov 5, 2019

The Ontario Government’s Electricity Policies 2018-2019: How They Are Failing and How to Fix Them finds that electricity prices in Ontario have continued to rise over the past year, despite the Ontario government’s attempts to lower them. In fact, even with a new debt-funded government subsidy, residential electricity prices in Toronto rose by five per cent from April 2018 to April 2019 and residents across Ontario are paying 22 per cent more (on average) for electricity than the rest of Canada.

Recent Ontario Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

Understanding two decades of weak economic performance in Ontario

Ben Eisen

It’s important for policymakers to recognize the severity of Ontario’s growth problem, how long-lived it has been, and the challenge of weak business investment that could impede future growth.

Ontario’s economy—slow growth and weak business investment

Ben Eisen

Real per-person economic growth was 9.1 per cent in Ontario compared to 26.1 per cent in the rest of Canada.

Ontario independent schools deserve ‘safe return’ funds despite Ford government hostility

Derek J. Allison

Appeared in the Ottawa Citizen, August 7, 2021

In terms of independent school funding, Ontario is out of step with many provinces and European countries.

Ontario has fallen behind Michigan’s economy

Ben Eisen

At least 90 per cent of net job creation in Ontario took place either in the Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa.

Ford government ‘task force’ unnecessarily targets women

Matthew Lau

Appeared in the National Post, July 16, 2021

Ontario plans to spend $117.3 million on training programs for women and minorities.

Ontario government has made COVID economic pain even worse

Livio Di Matteo

The Greenbelt Act helped drive up residential housing prices in the Greater Toronto Area.

Ford should butt out of Ontario’s business

Matthew Lau

Appeared in the Toronto Star, July 5, 2021

The Ford government plans to invest $100 million of taxpayer money in technology companies.

Ontario consistently fails to reduce government debt after recessions

Ben Eisen

The province’s nominal debt will rise from $440 billion in 2021/22 to $504 billion in 2023/24.

Government debt interest costs will crowd out essential spending in Ontario

Livio Di Matteo

Ontario's debt interest costs will rise by 21 per cent.

Ontario lagging behind neighbours on key economic measures

Ben Eisen

Appeared in the Windsor Star, June 20, 2021

Between 2000 and 2019, New York's average per-person GDP growth more than doubled Ontario's growth rate.