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1. Canadians spend billions complying with complex personal income tax system

   Appeared in the Financial Post, April 27, 2017 With the tax-filing deadline just around the corner, it’s worth reflecting on how much the personal income tax (PIT) has changed since it was first introduced 100 years ago. For example, Ottawa now collects ...

2. Money kept by Canadian taxpayers is not a “loss”

   Appeared in the Calgary Herald With tax season at hand, here’s a useful tip for any tax-weary Canadian. When some people refer to income or other money not taxed as a “loss” to government, remember that they may merely be using technical language. In ...

3. Quebec’s deep-rooted fiscal problems need a big fix

   Appeared in the Montreal Gazette There are times when a problem can be solved with a small fix and perhaps a little tinkering. And there are times when a big fix or fundamental reform is needed. Quebec’s government finances fall into the latter category. ...

4. Prentice’s Path: Getty or Klein?

   Appeared in the Financial Post Alberta Premier Jim Prentice is in the midst of formulating his first budget and the fiscal path of the province while watching oil prices continue to decline. In this environment, the key question for the new premier is: ...

5. France’s failed tax and spend experiment

   Appeared in the Calgary Herald When French President Francois Hollande visited Canada recently, one hopes the Gallic leader looked around. If he did, he would have noticed a stark difference in the economic opportunities between the two countries with the ...

6. Canadians Celebrate Tax Freedom Day on June 9, 2014

   The Fraser Institute annually calculates Tax Freedom Day in order to provide a comprehensive and easily understood indicator of the overall tax burden faced by the average Canadian family. Tax Freedom Day is the day in the year by which the average ...

7. Taxes squeezing household budgets

   Appeared in the Huffington Post Like other Canadians, you work hard for your money. Faced with essential expenses such as food, clothing, and shelter, your household budget may feel squeezed. But what if we told you, your family's biggest expense is ...

8. More taxes buy more government; not a more civilized society

   Appeared in the Ottawa Citizen "Income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf," said the American humourist Will Rogers. Indeed, but let’s not stop there. In Canada, debates over taxes, government and civilization lead some ...

9. Don't let mythical thinking on taxes mess up Alberta

   Appeared in the Calgary Herald As Albertans approach another provincial budget, the usual fables about Alberta's finances often crop up. To inoculate ourselves in advance, let's ponder two myths. Myth Number One: Alberta's wealth is a ...

10. Tax people, not corporations: Public's misplaced sense of fairness costs the economy dearly

    Appeared in the Financial Post Until recently, there was a consensus in favour of competitive business taxes. But whenever governments are strapped for cash- which is most of the time for most of them, given their voracious appetite for spending- eyes ...