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1. Rising cost of doing business in Ontario chasing away business investment

   After more than a decade of comparatively weak economic performance, there are finally some green shoots for Ontario’s economy. Unemployment in the province is at its lowest in 16 years, and the province is expected to be near the top of ...

2. To reform its retail liquor market, Ontario can learn from Alberta

   During the recent long weekend, many Ontarians celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday with celebrations at their homes and cottages across our wonderful province. While having fun, relaxing and catching up with friends and relatives, it was ...

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. Ontario government celebrates lotteries and booze while applying ‘sin taxes’

   Ontario’s dispute with Liquor Control Board (LCBO) employees, which led to a tentative agreement earlier this week, highlights the continuing importance of “sin taxes” as a source of Ontario government revenue. Moreover, Ontario’s ...

5. Seattle’s higher minimum wage has lowered earnings for low-wage workers

   The Wynne government in Ontario recently followed Alberta’s lead, announcing a plan to move to a $15 minimum wage. British Columbia is also debating a $15 minimum wage, and the idea will no doubt continue to be hotly debated in Canada ...

6. Premier Wynne gets the facts wrong about minimum wage earners in Ontario

   When the Ontario government announced its plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour last month, Premier Kathleen Wynne made a glaringly false statement about the reality of minimum wage earners. Specifically, she said: “Millions of ...

7. Minimum wage hikes in Ontario likely means lower youth employment

   Premier Wynne’s government recently announced a plan to hike Ontario’s minimum wage by 32 per cent, from its current rate of $11.40 to $15 by 2019. We’ve already written that such a large and rapid increase in the minimum wage is likely ...

8. Economic bright spots no justification for increased government spending in Ontario

   There’s some recent evidence that Ontario’s economy is igniting and may be poised to once again become Canada’s economic engine. Indeed, Canada’s major banks have released forecasts that Ontario will lead the country in economic growth ...

9. Trade war with U.S. states would hurt Ontario economy

   Last week, Texas lawmakers passed a protectionist “Buy American” bill, which would require public construction projects in the state to use iron and steel manufactured in the U.S. The bill, which now only requires the signature of the ...

10. Ontario’s minimum wage hike will mean fewer opportunities for vulnerable workers

    Premier Kathleen Wynne has confirmed her government will dramatically increase Ontario’s minimum wage. The wage floor currently stands at $11.40 per hour and will rise to $15 by 2019. All told, this represents a 31.6 per cent increase in ...