U.S. President Donald Trump’s expansionary fiscal-policy plans and activist trade policies are on a collision course that could lead to a trade war. To avoid that war, it’s vital that U.S. tax reforms be revenue-neutral and geared at expanding the supply side of the economy.
Now is not the right time for debt-financed “stimulus.” That policy would only lead to larger trade deficits and more pressure on Mr. Trump to adopt protectionist trade policies. To provide wise counsel to our American friends and to prepare for a trade war should it erupt, Canadians must understand why Mr. Trump’s policies are on a collision course.
Mr. Trump is proposing large tax cuts, a rise in defence spending and a large infrastructure program.…
Since December, Canadians have been treated to the spectacle of provincial and territorial health ministers squabbling with their federal counterparts for more health-care dollars. As they argue over cash, they overlook a lesson from Canadian health-care history: Asking how much without also asking how those dollars will be spent is a recipe for more of the same.
The last time health ministers haggled with the feds, in 2004, they received a record $41-billion over 10 years. This so-called “fix for a generation” achieved little of the sort. Across the country, emergency departments are still as congested as ever and unhealthy numbers of hospital beds remain filled by seniors who should be receiving care elsewhere. Even waiting…
Property owners in the Winnipeg School Division are being asked if they are willing to pay more taxes to save school programs. We have been told the nursery program may be on the chopping block if taxes are not increased. Trustees are encouraging parents and ratepayers to attend consultation meetings and provide feedback.
The former NDP government provided consistent funding increases to education over a multi-year period. The current Tory government, faced with a large deficit, wants to reduce spending, so school divisions will not receive as much provincial funding as they would like. The board of trustees warns the shortfall may need to be recovered by increasing property taxes.
During the decade in…
