A Professional Critic’s Festive Fulmination – Financial Post Op-ed
My colleagues and I at the C.D. Howe Institute devote much of our daily attention to criticizing poorly conceived and ineptly implemented policy in Canada. As we should. That’s our job. And our governments keep us all too well supplied.
On occasion, however, people outside Canada ask us about how Canada ranks as a place to live, work, invest, or locate a business. For me, those questions trigger a happy 180-degree turn. The professional nag steps back and the booster of Canada as one of the world’s most favoured nations takes over. As we welcome 2020 with some thoughts about things we in Canada do well, and should keep doing well, here are three ways we stand out.
First on my list — first on so many people’s lists — is…
Seriously Toronto, Another Tax Hike? A $1.4 Billion Surplus Isn’t Big Enough? – Financial Post Op-ed
Toronto city council has just approved an extra increase in property taxes — another 1.0 per cent in 2020 and 2021 on top of a previously approved 0.5 per cent hike, and a full 1.5 per cent for four years starting in 2022. Mayor John Tory, previously a staunch supporter of holding the line on property taxes, pushed it. The vote went 22-3 in favour — a convincing margin considering most politicians hate to vote for higher taxes. Even many conservative commentators praised the hike as necessary to support social services and better infrastructure. Which makes me wonder: how many on council, in the media, or the city at large know anything about Toronto’s fiscal numbers? Does anyone?
Here’s a test. What was the City of Toronto’s…
TFSAs: Time for a Tune-Up
December 19, 2019 – Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) have had great success over the past decade, but could use a tune-up, says a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “TFSAs: Time for a Tune-Up,” author Alexandre Laurin argues that after a decade in existence, there is now enough data and empirical analysis on […] Bill Robson on BNN – What cities can do to improve their fiscal transparency
Bill Robson, President and CEO of the C.D. Howe Institute, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss the latest federal fiscal update as well as the organization’s new report evaluating the fiscal transparency of Canada’s municipalities.
The ‘Solomon’s Choice’ That Could Render Ottawa’s Carbon-pricing Backstop Unconstitutional – Globe And Mail Op-ed
Starting Dec. 16, the Alberta Court of Appeal will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act – the so-called carbon-pricing “backstop,” under which Ottawa would impose a price on greenhouse gas emissions in any province where it deemed provincial measures are not sufficiently stringent. The Alberta government’s challenge to the federal backstop is just the latest in a months-long string of appeals-court processes by governments in Ontario and Saskatchewan, where the legislation was upheld; those appeals are now headed to the Supreme Court, which will begin its hearings in March.
So the legal arguments being deployed feel, at this point, quite well-trod. However, the federal…
Peter Tomlinson – Has Land Value Taxation Gained A Toe-hold In Ontario?
From: Peter Tomlinson To: Public Finance Scholars Date: December 10, 2019 Re: Has land value taxation gained a toe-hold in Ontario? The Ontario government’s Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choice Act 2019, aims at making the housing supply more responsive to increased demand. Technically speaking, an increased supply elasticity would mean added housing units – and less dramatic […] From A to F: Grading the Fiscal Transparency of Canada’s Cities, 2019
December 10, 2019 – Bad budgeting practices impede councillors, taxpayers and voters seeking accountability from city staff and elected representatives, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “From A to F: Grading the Fiscal Transparency of Canada’s Cities, 2019,” authors William B.P. Robson and Farah Omran grade the clarity, comprehensiveness, and […] S1 E17 – Rigged Housing Markets
Host Michael Hainsworth sits down with economist and Harvard professor Edward Glaeser to talk housing supply, the affordable housing crisis, and and why he believes the housing market is rigged against millennials. Living Tree or Invasive Species? Critical Questions for the Constitutionality of Federal Carbon Pricing
The Supreme Court must tackle vital constitutional questions and confront whether greenhouse gases represent a national concern under the peace, order and good government power, says a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Living Tree or Invasive Species? Critical Questions for the Constitutionality of Federal Carbon Pricing,” author Grant Bishop argues that, in […] Prof. Edward Glaeser on BNN Bloomberg – Boosting prosperity in North American cities so young people aren’t left out
BNN speaks to Harvard University professor Edward Glaeser about what’s affecting prosperity in North American cities.
Alexandre Laurin – Reforming The Child Care Expense Deduction
To: Finance Minister Bill Morneau From: Alexandre Laurin Date: December 2, 2019 Re: Reforming the Child Care Expense Deduction The Child Care Expense Deduction (CCED) allows eligible childcare expenses for an eligible child to be deducted from taxable income, in most cases on the return of the lower-income parent. In addition to a maximum claimable limit per child, low-income […] Bev Dahlby – The Evidence That Corporate Tax Cuts Work
From: Bev Dahlby To: Albertans concerned about the budget Date: November 19, 2019 Re: The evidence that corporate tax cuts work While most of the commentary on last month’s Alberta budget remains focused on the expenditure restraints intended to return the province to a balanced budget in 2022, a central piece of the government’s economic program is the […]