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1. At least 1.8 million Ontarians will pay more in income taxes

   Ontario’s recent budget is jammed packed with new policies ahead of the upcoming provincial election. But what’s missing is any sign that the government wants to improve its uncompetitive personal income tax (PIT) system. In fact, the ...

2. The Wynne budget—more spending, more fiscal problems, more debt

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, March 29, 2018 Finance Minister Charles Sousa has tabled Ontario’s 2018 budget. And above all else, the pre-election document is characterized by a complete absence of fiscal discipline and dangerous willingness to saddle ...

3. Ontario budget ignores past promises, offers no plan to enhance economic competitiveness

   Predictably, many of the headlines on Ontario’s 2018 budget, released today, focus on Premier Kathleen Wynne’s so-called “free” child care plan and other big-spending items. It is, after all, a big-spending budget. But crucially, the ...

4. Ontario’s throne speech ignores growth and competitiveness

   On Monday, Premier Wynne’s government delivered its throne speech to layout its vision for the rest of its mandate and the future. Much will be said and written about what the speech discussed at length (various new government ...

5. Debt and decline—Ontario’s challenges in three snapshots

   Ontario’s upcoming provincial budget will likely include a significant increase in government spending with an eye on the spring election. Liberal Finance Minister Charles Sousa has already indicated that the pre-election budget will now ...

6. Government’s free-spending approach puts Ontario’s finances at risk

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, February 7, 2018 Over the past week, stock markets around the world have taken a beating. It remains to be seen whether these losses are just a bump in the road or the start of a bear market. Regardless, the dramatic market ...

7. Ontario’s fiscal paradox—a balanced budget and mounting debt

   Ontario has wrapped up its 2018 pre-budget public consultations as it prepares to deliver its next provincial budget. Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa confirmed in the fall fiscal statement that Ontario’s 2018 budget will be ...

8. Ontario’s upcoming budget must take the long view

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, January 26, 2018 Ontario’s Finance Minister Charles Sousa recently indicated that this year’s budget could be tabled early due to the upcoming election. He suggested a condensed budget timeline may be helpful to give Ontarians ...

9. Ontario’s finances—remembering the big picture

   Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, October 25, 2017 Last week, Ontario’s auditor general issued a scathing report about the Wynne government’s Fair Hydro Plan, which sought to lower electricity costs for consumers by pushing costs (and resulting interest ...

10. Wynne government places big bet on revenue growth

    Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, August 23, 2017 This year, Ontario’s operating budget is balanced for the first time in a decade. Of course, Ontario remains heavily indebted and is adding billions of dollars in new debt every year from capital spending that ...