Increasing the federal tax would be anti-investment, anti-entrepreneurship, anti-innovation and anti-green
By Niels Veldhuis and Jake Fuss The Fraser Institute At a time when the country faces momentous economic challenges, it’s hard to think of a more damaging policy than a capital gains tax hike. Yet rumours persist that prior to the COVID-19 crisis and economic downturn, that’s exactly what the federal government planned to do.…
By Niels Veldhuis and Elmira Aliakbari The Fraser Institute After weeks of delay, the federal government finally announced its aid package for the energy sector. To say it’s underwhelming would be an understatement. More than anything, the package announced on Friday confirms that the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sees one of Canada’s most…
The plan is based on unrealistic assumptions that pose real risks to Ontario finances and includes spending likely to be ineffective
By Jason Clemens and Niels Veldhuis The Fraser Institute With all the announcements last week by the federal government, and the drama surrounding the passage of the federal spending bill, the Ontario fiscal update went largely unnoticed. But since Ontario is Canada’s largest province – in population and the size of its economy – so…
Allowing employers to adjust quickly will improve the chances jobs are waiting for returning workers when the crisis subsides
By Alex Whalen and Niels Veldhuis The Fraser Institute Aside from the enormous health-related challenges due to the COVID-19 virus, employers and workers are feeling major economic pain with job loss, reduced income and revenue. The ability of businesses to adjust quickly will be key to stabilizing the economy and laying the foundation for recovery.…
There’s been a significant drop in investment across 10 of the 15 major sectors of the Canadian economy, and the federal government is to blame
By Niels Veldhuis and Ashley Stedman The Fraser Institute Canada has massive investment potential. We have an abundance of natural resources, one of the most highly-educated populations in the world, and reside next to the world’s most successful economy. We’re also among the freest countries in the world, with freedom of religion, assembly, movement and…
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is following in the footsteps of his father. That’s leading to fiscal calamity and regional dissent
By Jason Clemens, Milagros Palacios and Niels Veldhuis The Fraser Institute As the dust settles from the federal election – which further exacerbated Western frustration, if not outright separatist sentiments – it’s worth considering the policy ebbs and flows of the Liberal Party under Pierre Trudeau and his son Justin. Therein lies the explanation and…
Based on historic trends, Canada is due for an economic slowdown. This means the government needs to move toward a balanced budget now
By Jason Clemens, Milagros Palacios and Niels Veldhuis The Fraser Institute An end-of-year poll by the Angus Reid Institute showed increased concern among Canadians about government spending and deficits. It's a well-founded concern. Government spending and the economy share top spot as the chief issues of concern. Notably, federal finances remain in the red despite…
Neither the Liberals nor the PCs recognize that it’s in the best interests of the province to reduce the size of government
By Niels Veldhuis and Jason Clemens The Fraser Institute With the recent release of the Progressive Conservative platform, People’s Guarantee, and the Liberal government’s 2017 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review last month, Ontarians have a better sense of what will follow next year’s provincial election – the continuance of big government. The most important…
The federal government is digging a perilously deep debt hole that will take Canadian taxpayers years to climb out of
By Jason Clemens and Niels Veldhuis The Fraser Institute As we pass the midway mark in the federal government’s mandate, it’s clear that the only guiding principle for fiscal policy is ‘just spend more.’ Spending more, regardless of economic conditions, is not sound policy. It seriously risks the country’s finances and is all too reminiscent…
Private businesses and international investors have lost confidence in Canada as a competitive place to do business
By Niels Veldhuis and Jason Clemens The Fraser Institute It’s an old joke: Why did God create economists? To make weathermen look good. At times like this, nothing could be closer to the truth (full disclosure, we’re economists). Statistics Canada recently released its August economic growth numbers. They show that the economy contracted. Lo and behold,…