The collapse in oil prices aggravated by Notley government’s economically damaging policies
By Steve Lafleur and Ben Eisen The Fraser Institute The year 2015 was a difficult one for Alberta’s economy. First, the province was hit by a major decline in oil prices. Then, the provincial government introduced a slew of economically damaging policies, tarnishing Alberta’s reputation for providing a pro-growth tax and regulatory environment. These policies…
The recent credit downgrade by Standard and Poor’s is another sign of the severity of Alberta’s fiscal problems
By Steve Lafleur and Charles Lammam The Fraser Institute Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci was handed some disappointing news in advance of the holidays. Standard and Poor’s, a prominent government credit rating agency,downgraded Alberta’s rating, citing weak budgetary performance and a rising debt burden. This remarkable development underscores just how badly Alberta’s fiscal position has…
Too much at stake for Alberta workers to enter the “uncharted waters” of a $15 minimum wage without assessing the potential dangers
By Steve Lafleur and Hugh McIntyre The Fraser Institute In a recent interview, Premier Rachel Notley seemed to hint that the Government of Alberta could slow its plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 if the economy remains weak. The premier’s comments came one day after it was reported that an internal government briefing…
Alberta’s top rate climbs from 39 per cent to 48 per cent because of recent provincial/federal increases
By Steve Lafleur and Ben Eisen The Fraser Institute In last week’s federal Throne Speech, the Liberal government restated its intention to create a new, higher top federal personal income tax rate. This tax hike will hinder Canada’s economic performance, but it is of particular concern in Alberta. The Liberals’ planned new top marginal tax…
Governments often fail to account for the behavioural effects spurred by its personal income tax rate hikes
By Steve Lafleur and Charles Lammam The Fraser Institute The Alberta government recently abandoned the province’s single 10 per cent tax rate on personal income in favour of a five-bracket system with a top rate of 15 per cent – a move that will reduce Alberta’s competitiveness and cause undue harm on an already struggling…
Alberta’s fiscal woes are the result of uncontrolled spending over the past decade
By Steve Lafleur and Charles Lammam The Fraser Institute Alberta’s budget, to be unveiled on Oct. 27, will contain the province’s seventh deficit in the last eight years, most recently projected at $5.9 billion. A popular narrative blames declining oil prices for the government’s deteriorating financial situation. However, as a recent Fraser Institute study found,…
By Steve Lafleur and Ben Eisen The Fraser Institute The year 2015 was a difficult one for Alberta’s economy. First, the province was hit by a major decline in oil prices. Then, the provincial government introduced a slew of economically damaging policies, tarnishing Alberta’s reputation for providing a pro-growth tax and regulatory environment. These policies…
