Study

October 25, 2010 | EST. READ TIME 2 MIN.

Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada's Premiers

Since there is no measure of how provincial premiers are performing, it is difficult for Canadians to hold the premiers accountable for the relative performance of their fiscal policies. This report provides Canadians with an objective, empirical assessment of how Canada?s premiers have managed their province?s public finances and whether they have pursued sound long-term economic policies.

In a world of increasing competitiveness, sound fiscal policy is a critical determinant of long-term economic success. Sound fiscal policy requires that governments balance their financial affairs and avoid imposing a tax burden so heavy that it becomes a disincentive for people to work hard, save, invest, and be entrepreneurial, while still ensuring adequate and efficient public services. So, our political leaders should prioritize, rather than simply increase, government resources; ensure balanced budgets; and focus on improving incentives for individuals and businesses to engage in productive economic activity.

Since there is currently no objective measure of how provincial premiers are performing in the area of fiscal policy, it is difficult for Canadians to hold the premiers accountable for the relative performance of their fiscal policies. The goal of Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada?s Premiers is to fill this void. This report provides Canadians with an objective, empirical assessment of how Canada?s premiers have managed their province?s public finances and whether they have pursued sound long-term economic policies.

Niels Veldhuis

President, Fraser Institute

Niels Veldhuis serves as President of the Fraser Institute, Canada’s most influential think tank.In his over 20-plus-year career in public
policy, Niels has authored six books and more than 50 peer-reviewed studies on a wide range of economic topics. In 2011, he was awarded (along with his co-authors) the prestigious Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award for the best-selling book, The Canadian Century.Highly regarded for his opinions and perspectives on major economic and social issues, Niels appears regularly in the media across Canada and the United States. He has written hundreds of commentaries that have appeared in over 50 newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, Wall Street Journal, National Post, and The Economist.Known for his ability to explain matters of economics and government policy in a down-to-earth and easily understood manner, Niels travels widely across North America. His speaking engagements extend to diverse audiences, including business groups, corporate gatherings, community organizations, and students.Niels has had the privilege of sharing the stage and moderating discussions with prominent business and political leaders from around the world. Notable individuals include Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and BC Premier Gordon Campbell. He has also moderated discussions with distinguished Canadian journalists such as Chantal Herbert, Andrew Coyne, and Rex Murphy, as well as diplomats such as Canada’s Ambassador to China and Israel’s Ambassador to Canada. Niels moderated a discussion between United States Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in 2011 and has facilitated conversations with impactful authors like Mosab Hassan Yousef (author of "Son of Hamas") and Lord Conrad Black.Niels Veldhuis is an alumnus of Simon Fraser University, was one of Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 by Business in Vancouver in 2010, and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
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Charles Lammam
Amela Karabegovic

Amela Karabegovi is a former Senior Economist of the Fraser Institute. She holds a B.M. (Great Distinction) in General Management
from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta and an M.A. in Economics from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. She was a coauthor of the Economic Freedom of North America , Economic Freedom of the Arab World , Myths and Realities of TILMA , Transparency of Labour Relations Boards in Canada and the United States , Measuring Labour Markets in Canada and the United States , Measuring the Flexibility of Labour Relations Laws in Canada and the United States , Tax and Expenditure Limitations: The Next Step in Fiscal Discipline , and the Prosperity Series-Ontario .
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Milagros Palacios

Director, Addington Centre for Measurement, Fraser Institute

Milagros Palacios is the Director for the Addington Centre for Measurement at the Fraser Institute. She holds a B.S. in Industrial
Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and a M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Concepcion, Chile. Ms. Palacios has studied public policy involving taxation, government finances, investment, productivity, labour markets, and charitable giving, for nearly 10 years. Since joining the Institute, Ms. Palacios has authored or coauthored over 70 comprehensive research studies, 70 commentaries and four books. Her recent commentaries have appeared in major Canadian newspapers such as the National Post, Toronto Sun, Windsor Star, and Vancouver Sun.
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