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1. The Great Convergence: Measuring the Fiscal Capacity Gap Between “Have” and “Have-Not” Provinces

   Since 2007/08, the fiscal capacity gap between richer and poorer Canadian provinces has shrunk dramatically, with the trend accelerating significantly after 2014–15. Fiscal capacity refers to a province’s ability to raise own-source revenues at tax rates ...

2. Alberta fiscal update projects budget deficits over next three years—with consequences

   According to the Kenney government’s mid-year update released on Tuesday, Alberta’s fiscal troubles are far from over. The update projects a $21.3 billion budget deficit in 2020/21, a $15.5 billion deficit in 2021/22 and a $9.9 billion ...

3. Alberta’s multiple crises include waning economic freedom

   Appeared in the Calgary Sun, November 18, 2020 From 2009 to 2015, Alberta proudly ranked first in economic freedom among the 10 Canadian provinces, 50 U.S. states and 32 Mexican states. But according to the Fraser Institute’s new Economic Freedom of North ...

4. Alberta’s government debt was unsustainable—before COVID

   Appeared in National Newswatch, November 12, 2020 The Kenney government will release a three-year fiscal update later this month, and will be tempted to blame Alberta’s fiscal challenges on COVID-19. While the COVID-induced recession has certainly ...

5. High spending and persistent deficits have driven Alberta’s government debt problem

   The Kenney government is asking Albertans for input on how to tackle the province’s growing debt and begin a path towards a more prosperous future. But before determining a path forward, it’s necessary to understand the province’s fiscal ...

6. Massive budget deficit means Kenney government must further reduce spending

   Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, August 28, 2020 The Kenney government Thursday released a fiscal update, which includes a massive budget deficit of $24.2 billion in 2020/21, more than triple the pre-recession forecast of $6.8 billion. While the COVID ...

7. Alberta’s historic budget deficit underscores daunting fiscal challenges

   The Kenney government Thursday released a fiscal update, which includes a historic $24.2 billion budget deficit, highlighting the significant impact the COVID recession has had on Alberta’s already troubling finances. To address these ...

8. Kenney government should learn from past deficit-reduction plans

   Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, August 12, 2020 The Government of Alberta is racking up debt—quickly. The province has accumulated $35 billion in new debt over the past half-decade and will run another $20 billion budget deficit this year. If the Kenney ...

9. Kenney government must continue move towards balanced budget

   To make matters worse, Alberta recently received its third credit downgrade since December. ...

10. Alberta spent during the good times, which means deeper red ink during these bad times

    Alberta’s fiscal trajectory over the past decade has been troubling to say the least. Through good times and bad, the provincial government has run large deficits that have eroded the province’s financial assets. Now, the combined forces ...