The Implications of an Aging Population for Government Finances in Atlantic Canada

— Nov 30, 2021

The Implications of an Aging Population for Government Finances in Atlantic Canada is a new study that finds health-care expenditures in the region will increase 4.2 per cent in New Brunswick, 4.7 per cent in Nova Scotia, 5.1 per cent in Newfoundland & Labrador, and 5.6 per cent in Prince Edward Island annually (on average) over the next 20 years. As a result of the region’s changing demographics, none may balance their budget until at least 2040/41 unless changes are made to spending.

Canada-US Energy Sector Competitiveness Survey 2021

— Nov 25, 2021

The Canada-US Energy Sector Competitiveness Survey ranks 22 North American jurisdictions (17 states and five provinces and territories) based on policies affecting oil and gas investment. This year, no Canadian jurisdiction made the top ten. Investors flagged uncertainty concerning environmental regulations, regulatory duplication and inconsistencies, and the cost of regulatory compliance as major areas of concern in Canadian jurisdictions compared to US states.

Who Earns the Minimum Wage in Canada?

— Oct 28, 2021

Who Earns the Minimum Wage in Canada? is a new study that finds despite misperceptions, raising the minimum wage would do little to reduce poverty in Canada. That’s because 92.3 per cent of minimum-wage earners in Canada don’t live in low-income families. In fact, the majority of minimum-wage earners in 2019 (the latest year of available data) were teenagers or young adults aged 15-24, many of whom live with their parents or other family members.

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Recent Atlantic Canada Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

Nova Scotia government should restrain spending in face of fiscal risks

Ben Eisen, Alex Whalen

Appeared in the Halifax Chronicle Herald, September 7, 2022

With interest rates rising, it's even more important for the province to manage money responsibly.

Newfoundland and Labrador government should reduce spending in face of dire fiscal outlook

Ben Eisen, Alex Whalen

Appeared in the St. John's Telegram, August 30, 2022

The province’s debt as a share of the economy is projected to more than triple by 2046.

New Brunswick government should reduce spending to solidify provincial finances

Ben Eisen, Alex Whalen

Appeared in the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, August 25, 2022

With interest rates rising, it's all the more important for governments to carefully manage money.

P.E.I. government should reduce spending to avoid fiscal risks

Ben Eisen, Alex Whalen

Appeared in the Charlottetown Guardian, August 25, 2022

The Maritime provinces receive a larger share of their revenue from federal transfers than any other province.

Privatize the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation—it’s a no-brainer

Alex Whalen

Appeared in the Halifax Chronicle Herald, August 16, 2022

The private sector typically provides better hours, better selection and more convenience for customers.

Maritimes had lowest levels of per-worker private-sector investment in Canada

Alex Whalen, Nathaniel Li

Government spending in Nova Scotia encompassed 60.2 per cent of the economy.

Nova Scotia needs much more private-sector investment

Alex Whalen

The province's private-sector investment per worker was $11,300—the lowest level in Canada and 47 per cent below the national average.

New Brunswick needs stronger private sector to prosper

Alex Whalen

Appeared in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner, July 21, 2022

The province ranked ninth in small business startups, a key measure of entrepreneurship.

P.E.I. starved for private-sector investment

Alex Whalen

Appeared in the Charlottetown Guardian, July 14, 2022

The province's level of private-sector investment per worker was the second-lowest in Canada.

Tax Freedom Day in Nova Scotia—not much to celebrate

Evin Ryan, Alex Whalen

The average Nova Scotia family will pay more than 44 per cent of their income on taxes this year.

Research Experts

Elmira Aliakbari

Director, Natural Resource Studies, Fraser Institute
Ben Eisen

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
Jake Fuss

Associate Director, Fiscal Studies, Fraser Institute
Fred McMahon

Resident Fellow, Dr. Michael A. Walker Chair in Economic Freedom
Milagros Palacios

Director, Addington Centre for Measurement, Fraser Institute
Finn Poschmann

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
Mark Raymond

Professor of Economics, St. Mary's University
Alex Whalen

Senior Economist, Fraser Institute

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Atlantic Canada Prosperity

The Implications of an Aging Population for Government Finances in Atlantic Canada

Canada-US Energy Sector Competitiveness Survey 2021

Who Earns the Minimum Wage in Canada?

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Research Experts