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1. 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 ...

2. 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 ...

3. Trudeau government continues to dodge democratic accountability

   This government has not released a long-term forecast of spending, taxation and borrowing since 2018. ...

4. 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 ...

5. Post-COVID recovery should encourage growth of private sector in Canada

   Appeared in the Calgary Sun, October 28, 2020 All developed economies, including Canada, face economic restructuring challenges post-COVID. Labour and capital must be reallocated across industrial sectors and locations, new investments must be made in ...

6. 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 ...

7. 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.” ...

8. Spend first, ask questions later—not sustainable fiscal policy

   During the first six months of the pandemic, with the effects of the lockdown hitting the economy, government revenues collapsed. Spending increased to provide quick support and relief, producing a federal deficit that reached 15 per cent ...

9. Guaranteed annual income program would guarantee big tax changes

   Appeared in the Financial Post, September 23, 2020 According to reports, the Trudeau government is considering a guaranteed annual income (or GAI) and may even introduce the idea in today’s throne speech. The basic concept is that the government sends ...

10. Green recovery plan ignores practical limitations of government

    The Trudeau government says Canada needs a “ green ” recovery plan, which may include big spending on green infrastructure, low-carbon subsidies and initiatives to create “clean” jobs. Unfortunately, the idea that the government can ...