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1. How Quebec can reduce its reliance on equalization

   New Quebec Premier François Legault (pictured above) said on the campaign trail that he’d like to “aim for zero equalization.” This is an ambitious goal that would change the face of fiscal federalism in Canada. But is it achievable? ...

2. Quebecers probably felt—and still feel—they don’t get what they pay for

   On Monday, Quebecers elected with an overwhelming majority the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), a party created just seven years ago. Beyond the fact that for the first time in decades, sovereignty wasn’t an issue in a Quebec election, we ...

3. Trudeau government must act now on trade, taxes as possible recession looms

   Appeared in the Moncton Times & Transcript, September 28, 2018 As Parliament resumes, Canada’s policymakers face a turbulent state of affairs as the United States and China wage an economic Cold War armed with tariffs and Ottawa continues negotiating ...

4. Interpret new carbon tax study with caution

   Recently, a group called Canadians for Clean Prosperity (CCP) released a study arguing that the vast majority of Canadian households would receive more money (in the form of carbon dividend cheques) than they would pay in carbon taxes. ...

5. Alberta’s higher taxes, rapid debt accumulation and higher minimum wages are hurting workers

   A strong labour market is critical for the prosperity of workers. It matches workers looking for the right job opportunity with employers looking for workers with the right skills. But to properly judge the strength of Alberta’s labour ...

6. Most middle-class Canadians have seen their income taxes increase, not decrease

   In a recent Globe and Mail commentary ("Crazy rich Canadians: How to tax the 1%"), noted economist Jack Mintz said “Canada is now disadvantaged in attracting entrepreneurial and skilled labour because of its higher personal tax ...

7. Why demographics are Doug Ford’s greatest challenge

   Ontario’s population is aging. The Spring 2018 Ontario Population Projections Update from the Ministry of Finance forecasts population and age structure for the province and its 49 census divisions, and presents some sobering numbers for ...

8. Higher top personal income tax rates discourage entrepreneurship in Canada

   Entrepreneurship plays an essential role in fostering a strong economy for Canada. Entrepreneurs innovate, bringing opportunities and benefits to Canadians. So it’s concerning that the rate of entrepreneurship in Canada has steadily ...

9. Changing equalization won’t be easy—partly for good reason

   You hear a lot these days about reforming equalization. If Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party wins the next Alberta election, you’ll likely hear more. As it is, Saskatchewan has already put a reform proposal on the table: keep ...

10. Metro Vancouver mayors won’t take ‘No’ for an answer

    Back in 2015, as Vancouverites may recall, Metro Vancouver held a somewhat heated plebiscite over whether or not to approve a 0.5 per cent hike in the sales tax to finance a portion of the TransLink 10-year investment plan, estimated to ...