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1. Prime Ministers and Government Spending: Updated 2021 Edition

   Per-person federal program spending (adjusted for inflation) reached $17,121 in 2020-21, by far the highest level in Canada’s history. Non-COVID-related per-person spending in 2020-21 was $11,165. Moreover, federal spending is estimated to reach ...

2. Interest Cost Risks to Government Budgets

   This essay calculates the change in government interest costs and budget balances if interest costs return to their 2019-20 levels. Estimates are calculated for 2021-22 gross debt levels for each of the provinces and the federal government. ...

3. Trudeau government keeps ‘imagining’ while Canadians suffer the economic consequences

   For the 45 research projects approved, almost $100 million had been committed but not necessarily spent. ...

4. Comparing pre-recession economic performance—Chrétien vs. Trudeau

   Appeared in the Globe and Mail, February 11, 2021 The contrast between the current Trudeau Liberal government and its Liberal predecessor under Jean Chrétien could not be more stark. As the Trudeau government prepares its 2021 budget, which by all ...

5. Trudeau government shows no interest in properly targeting assistance—despite deficits

   Appeared in National Newswatch, December 3, 2020 Since its election, the Trudeau government has consistently demonstrated its disinterest in targeting spending to those in need and limiting debt accumulation. Despite expected deficits of $381.6 billion ...

6. Trudeau government’s approach to federal finances anything but ‘prudent’

   Appeared in the National Newswatch, December 2, 2020 Since coming to power in 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau —and his finance ministers —have characterized their management of federal finances as “prudent,” an adjective meaning to act with or show care and ...

7. Canada lags behind most industrialized countries on key economic, fiscal indicators

   Appeared in the Financial Post, November 4, 2020 The Trudeau government has generally favoured relative comparisons of its performance (i.e. how we rate versus other countries) rather than historical comparisons. Recent data from the International ...

8. Canada’s spending and deficits higher than comparable countries during pandemic

   Governments around the world have significantly ramped up spending due to the COVID-19 recession. However, recent data from the International Monetary Fund’s semi-annual fiscal monitor reveals that Canada has largely outpaced other ...

9. 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.” ...

10. Federal finances remain vulnerable to fluctuating interest rates

    Appeared in Calgary's Business, August 20, 2020 There’s been a lot of movement in Ottawa lately, including Bill Morneau’s resignation as federal finance minister, with Chrystia Freeland taking his place. Unfortunately, the Trudeau government’s recent ...