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1. 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.” ...

2. 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 ...

3. 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 ...

4. 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. ...

5. Prime Ministers and Government Spending: A Retrospective

   This bulletin measures the level of per-person program spending undertaken annually by each prime minister, adjusting for inflation, since 1870.  1867 to 1869 were excluded due to a lack of inflation data. Per-person spending spiked during World ...

6. The Sustainability of Health Care Spending in Canada 2017

   Health care is the single largest budget item for every province in Canada, ranging from 34.3 percent of total program spending in Quebec to 43.2 percent in Ontario in 2016. Any changes in the amount spent on health care can have a significant impact on a ...

7. Health-care spending increases in Canada point to unsustainable future

   Appeared in the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, June 2, 2016 Health care is the single largest budget item for every provincial government in Canada. Increases in spending on health care can therefore have a significant impact on resources available for ...

8. The Sustainability of Health Care Spending in Canada

   Health care is the single largest budget item for every province in Canada, ranging from 34.5 percent of total program spending in Quebec to 44.6 percent in Nova Scotia in 2015. Any changes in the amount spent on health care can have a significant impact ...

9. Moving Targets: Re-estimating Federal Deficits and Debt-to-GDP through 2020/21

   The federal government has repeatedly shifted the goal posts on its own “fiscal anchors.” This bulletin examines the robustness of the current “fiscal anchor” to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio by the government’s first mandate. The 2016 federal budget ...

10. Newfoundland & Labrador’s massive debt and deficits demand bold action

    Appeared in National Newswatch, February 15, 2016 On the easternmost part of the country, a fiscal storm is brewing. Newfoundland & Labrador’s provincial finances are in a dire state. The government’s latest projections have the province facing a ...