Search

Search results

1. Less Ottawa, More Province, 2021: How Decentralized Federalism is Key to Health Care Reform

   A significant body of research suggests that Canada’s health care system consistently underperforms relative to most peer jurisdictions with universal health care systems. This underperformance continues despite the fact that Canada is one of the world’s ...

2. Next prime minister should cut spending to help the poor

   According to estimates, economic growth is maximized when government spending is about 26 per cent of GDP. ...

3. B.C. budget lacks effective plan for finances and economy

   Program spending is projected to increase from pre-pandemic levels by 15.2 per cent in 2021/22. ...

4. Trudeau government should heed looming risks to federal finances

   Appeared in the Globe and Mail, October 23, 2020 The federal government along with several prominent economists have downplayed the near-term risks to federal finances. Some have actually characterized Ottawa’s financial position as basically “ sound.” ...

5. It’s easier for governments to increase spending than bring it back down

   As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds and governments across the country scramble to respond, public spending is increasing quickly, particularly at the federal level. Much of this spending is entirely reasonable and indeed necessary. ...

6. Federal budget continues the spending spree

   In this year’s federal budget, Finance Minister Bill Morneau confirmed the government is more than happy to continue down a risky path of deficit-financed spending. Once again, the government opted to throw money in every direction rather ...

7. Prime Ministers and Government Spending: 2019 Edition

   This bulletin measures the level of per-person program spending undertaken annually by prime ministers, adjusting for inflation, since 1870. (The years from 1867 to 1869 were excluded due to a lack of inflation data). Per-person spending spiked ...

8. Another tough year for Alberta finances

   Another year, another deficit. The Government of Alberta has run nearly uninterrupted deficits since 2008/09, and this year is no exception. In fact, that $10.3 billion deficit the province plans to run this year is just shy of the ...

9. When measured against history, Prime Minister Trudeau’s spending near peak levels

   The federal government plans to spend $8,337 (per person) this fiscal year. ...

10. Notley government at two years—too much Rae, not enough Romanow

    Appeared in the Calgary Herald, May 12, 2017 Just over two years ago, Rachel Notley became the 17th Premier of Alberta. Upon taking office, Premier Notley’s government was confronted with serious fiscal challenges. Oil prices were down, the economy was ...