Search

Search results

1. Learning from the past—rapid deficit-reduction should be a Ford government priority

   In the spring, former Ontario finance minister Charles Sousa and his incumbent Liberal government surprised many by announcing that Queen’s Park would run an operating deficit of $6.7 billion this year. This was a stunning reversal from ...

2. At least 1.8 million Ontarians will pay more in income taxes

   Ontario’s recent budget is jammed packed with new policies ahead of the upcoming provincial election. But what’s missing is any sign that the government wants to improve its uncompetitive personal income tax (PIT) system. In fact, the ...

3. Ontario budget ignores past promises, offers no plan to enhance economic competitiveness

   Predictably, many of the headlines on Ontario’s 2018 budget, released today, focus on Premier Kathleen Wynne’s so-called “free” child care plan and other big-spending items. It is, after all, a big-spending budget. But crucially, the ...

4. Ontario debt—kicking the can down the road

   A new study released this today by the Fraser Institute examined the Wynne government’s plan to reduce Ontario’s debt burden to pre-recession levels (26-27 per cent) by 2029/30 from its current level of 37.5 per cent. The government’s ...

5. Ontario’s debt plan—weak and risky

   Ontario’s finances remain in deep trouble, despite last month’s announcement of a balanced operating budget for 2017/18. The province still has $312 billion in net debt, and expects to pile on more than $11 billion in new debt annually ...

6. Ontario budget—more spending, more debt

   This afternoon, Ontario’s Finance Minister Charles Sousa delivered the provincial government budget for fiscal year 2017/18. Headlines will likely focus on the government’s first balanced operating budget in a decade. A deeper look at ...

7. Lower taxes instead of business subsidies in Ontario? Let’s drink to that

   This morning, the Ontario government announced a $4.9 million program to subsidize the growth of small cideries and distilleries in the province. Finance Minister Charles Sousa noted that the subsidies would support a thriving small ...

8. Ontario’s plan is hardly working

   Today, the Wynne government released its fall statement—essentially an update on the state of Ontario’s economy and finances. The document’s second paragraph contains a shockingly out-of-touch sentence. It reads: “Our plan is working.” ...

9. Budgetary smoke and mirrors explain a significant portion of Ontario’s deficit decline

   There is very little to feel reassured about when it comes to Ontario finance minister Charles Sousa’s latest budget. Minister Sousa boasted that this year's operating deficit will be $1.8 billion smaller than planned, and ...

10. Ontario Budget: dark cloud of government debt continues to hang over the province

    Today, the Wynne government tabled a budget with a bit of good news for Ontarians. Specifically, we learned that the operating deficit in 2015/16 will be somewhat smaller (at $5.7 billion) than was previously expected ($7.5 billion)—due ...