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1. Risky business—the clean tech gamble

   Governments across Canada are betting big (carbon tax) money on clean tech. Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta have all directed funds from carbon pricing into ventures promoting “clean tech” (a.k.a. technology that provides ...

2. The high cost of raising revenue through Canada’s personal income tax

   The personal income tax (PIT) is the single largest source of revenue for Canadian governments, but it also has a major impact on the level and growth of personal income. The PIT influences a wide range of important economic decisions ...

3. Saskatchewan and Alberta—two vastly different fiscal paths

   Earlier today, Premier Brad Wall’s government in Saskatchewan tabled its budget for 2017/18. It was impossible not to immediately notice some obvious points of contrast between this document and the budget tabled by Premier Rachel Notley ...

4. Albertans endure abysmal wait times despite 191% health-care spending increase over 15 years

   Another budget, another round of growth in health-care spending in Alberta. The projected 3.2 per cent increase in health-care spending this year may sound reasonable at face-value since it’s generally in line with population growth and ...

5. Budget 2017—Alberta government burning through assets at alarming rate

   By now, Albertans have heard that for a second year in a row, the provincial government plans to run a budget deficit of more than $10 billion. While those numbers are especially large, the unfortunate reality is that budget deficits are ...

6. Alberta’s 2017 budget—a decade of fiscal deterioration with no end in sight

   Ten years ago, Alberta’s finances were in good shape. What a difference a decade makes. Despite high oil prices in many years since 2007/08, the province has run a nearly uninterrupted string of deficits ever since primarily due to rapid ...

7. Poll says Albertans looking for a new fiscal direction in upcoming budget

   The Notley government is set to release its 2017 budget tomorrow. Barring any major surprises, it will contain spending-fuelled deficits as far out as the government provides projections. There’s also no indication that there will be any ...

8. Budget season—Alberta and Ottawa must revert back to proven fiscal policies

   Budget season in Canada is now in full swing as governments unveil their tax and spending plans for the coming year and beyond. Two upcoming budgets deserve special attention: Alberta’s (March 16) and the federal government’s (March 22), ...

9. Only 20.6% of Alberta’s $35 billion capital spending plan will pay for roads and bridges

   When the Notley government unveils Alberta’s 2017 budget next week, it will likely trumpet its multi-billion infrastructure spending plan as a way to grow Alberta’s faltering economy. That was certainly the message in the recent speech ...

10. Spending growth by successive Alberta governments primary reason for big deficit

    Albertans are well aware that their provincial government is set to run a budget deficit this year that may exceed $10 billion. Many may assume this is simply due to a decline in government revenue, driven by lower resource prices. But ...