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1. The case for federal personal income tax reform in Canada

   On the 100th anniversary of Canada’s federal personal income tax (PIT), the federal government would be wise to consider reforming personal income taxes by eliminating several “tax expenditures” (tax credits, deductions and other special ...

2. The evidence mounts—minimum wage hikes reduce job opportunities for vulnerable workers

   Many Canadian provinces have expressed a desire to hike their minimum wage to $15 per hour. Alberta has begun the process with incremental increases, Ontario has formally introduced a plan, and B.C.’s new government has mused about the ...

3. Provincial government net debt up 89% in less than a decade

   After a lull spanning the first decade of the 21st century, it seems that provincial government debt is again on the rise. Based on figures compiled from the Federal Fiscal Reference Tables and plotted in the first chart below, total ...

4. Alberta in net debt for the first time in nearly 20 years

   The Government of Alberta released its 2016/17 Annual Report last week. The official deficit for that fiscal year totalled roughly $10.8 billion, bringing the province into a net debt position for the first time in nearly 20 years. The ...

5. Alberta should look to France, Germany and Australia to improve its health-care system

   The office of the auditor general of Alberta recently delivered a report on the province’s expensive but underperforming health-care system. During an interview, the auditor general (Merwan Saher) rhetorically asked reporters “You are ...

6. Alberta private sector improving but government finances remain in bad shape

   Dave Mowat, president of ATB Financial, said recently that Alberta’s economy was “turning the corner” after a difficult year in 2016. His comment came as the Crown Corporation released its financial results for the past fiscal year. ...

7. Alberta teachers’ ‘me too’ clause strengthens case for public-sector wage restraint

   The Alberta Teacher’s Association recently ratified a tentative two-year agreement with the provincial government after a four-day voting period last week. Yesterday, the Calgary Sun reported that Alberta's school boards also ...

8. Alberta leads the country in spending growth

   Premier Rachel Notley's NDP government inherited a difficult set of fiscal circumstances when it came into power just over two years ago. The new government faced a big budget deficit, caused by a combination of rapid spending ...

9. Alberta’s debt service costs set to double in just four years

   According to Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci (pictured above), the Notley government won’t alter its fiscal plan even if credit agencies again downgrade the province’s credit rating. This is troubling, as it means that Alberta will ...

10. Alberta’s net financial position has deteriorated by $68 billion in 11 years

    Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci (pictured above) recently claimed that the provincial government will maintain its spending trajectory, regardless of whether the province suffers another credit downgrade. With the province having ...