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1. Ottawa using bounty of robust growth to simply boost spending

   The recently-released 2018 federal budget calls for growth in both spending and revenues. Between 2017-18 and 2022-23, total revenues are forecast to grow from $309.6 billion to $373.9 billion—an increase of 21 per cent. After a three ...

2. Tax hatred? No, tax awareness and tax reform

   Among the modern criteria for a good tax system are the principles of efficiency and equity. But another important principle is also awareness—that is, taxpayers should be aware of the taxes the pay and the benefits they receive from ...

3. In search of new revenue, Ottawa seems to be changing the tax system

   Here’s some interesting information from the 2017 edition of the Federal Fiscal Reference Tables. Total federal tax revenues in 2016-17 were $244.3 billion—up 0.7 per cent from the previous fiscal year. When the tax revenue is broken-up, ...

4. Why federal deficits to 2055 really matter

   The federal finance December 2016 update of long-term economic and fiscal projections recently made news across the country. The projections simulate what the federal government’s long-term finances may look like under certain ...

5. Today’s federal fiscal update—that '70s show

   Patterns recur in the course of human events. In the case of federal government finances, with today’s federal fiscal update we are about to embark on a path with parallels to the 1970s. The ’70s represent a structural break in Canadian ...

6. Why is Canada’s federal government running a deficit?

   Canada’s federal government has embarked on a path of substantial deficit financing with no concrete target laid out of when the budget might be expected to balance. The deficit will be $5.4 billion in 2015-16, $29.4 billion in 2016-17, ...

7. As the federal budget looms, the government’s credibility remains questionable

   The federal budget on March 22 will be a keenly watched document for a variety of reasons. One can expect a ramping up of government spending based on the promises made in the Liberal election program for new initiatives in areas like ...

8. Hasty infrastructure spending in Canada may waste tax dollars

   Canada faces serious economic challenges as 2016 unfolds, and key leadership in dealing with the economic fallout of falling oil prices and slow economic growth must come from Bill Morneau, Canada’s federal minister of finance. The new ...