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1. Ontario debt—kicking the can down the road

   A new study released this today by the Fraser Institute examined the Wynne government’s plan to reduce Ontario’s debt burden to pre-recession levels (26-27 per cent) by 2029/30 from its current level of 37.5 per cent. The government’s ...

2. Wishful Thinking: An Analysis of Ontario’s Timeline for Shrinking Its Debt Burden

   Since 2007/08, Ontario’s level of public debt has approximately doubled. As a result, the provincial debt-to-GDP ratio has climbed to historically high levels in recent years. In its 2017 budget, Premier Wynne’s government presented a timeline for ...

3. How public debt begets public debt in Ontario

   Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, Aug 2, 2017 One of the most important policy problems facing Ontario is the province’s big government debt burden, which amounts to approximately $21,000 per person. It’s also proving to be a stubbornly difficult one to solve. ...

4. Electricity bills in Toronto remain high compared to U.S. cities

   Wind, solar and biomass policies have resulted in high additional costs for consumers. ...

5. Ontario’s economy has a long way to go

   Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, July, 26, 2017 Judging solely from recent press releases and rhetoric emanating from Queen’s Park, one might conclude it’s a golden age for Ontario’s economy. Here’s one of many recent examples. In support of its decision to ...

6. Obstacles to business investment in Ontario—uncompetitive tax rates

   A recent study from the Fraser Institute highlights a substantial problem for Ontario’s economy—the fact that business investment to the province remains weak. In fact, business investment still hasn’t recovered to pre-recession levels. ...

7. Canada needs a strong Ontario now more than ever

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, July, 19, 2017 Historically, Alberta and Ontario have been engines fuelling the Canadian economy and significant net contributors to federal finances. In other words, residents of both provinces have generally sent more money ...

8. Ontario environmental policy—excessive costs, little environmental benefits

   In a recent news release, the government of Ontario recognized “outstanding achievements in environmental protection” by announcing the recipients of the 2016 Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Since 2011, the award has been ...

9. Wynne government’s giant rubber duck—the economic effects

   Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, July 12, 2017 For Canada Day, Premier Wynne's government spent about $120,000 to help bring a giant rubber duck to Toronto.  The decision drew criticism from opposition politicians and advocacy groups who saw it as a waste ...

10. Ontario’s planned $15 minimum wage will likely hurt young and low-skilled workers

    Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs is currently touring the province to get feedback on Bill 148, which proposes various amendments to the Employment Standards Act including, among other labour policy changes, a ...