Eichenbaum, Alexopoulos and Kronick – Let’s Reclaim the Billions We’re Paying for Canada’s Internal Trade Barriers
Studies suggest that removing interprovincial trade barriers alone could boost Canada’s GDP by up to 7%, adding over $160 billion to the economy. To achieve meaningful reform, experts suggest independent tribunals, stronger cost-benefit analysis, and federal-provincial deals to reduce barriers in exchange for tax incentives. Charles Eagan – A Path to Trusted AI
From: Charles EaganTo: AI observersDate: November 11, 2024 Re: A Path to Trusted AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) has infiltrated our lives for decades, but since the public launch of ChatGPT showcasing generative AI in 2022, society has faced unprecedented technological evolution. With digital technology already a constant part of our lives, AI has the potential to […] Stockwell Day – Only if Imprudence Prevails Will a Trump Presidency be Disastrous for Canada
From: Stockwell Day To: US Election observersDate: November 4, 2024 Re: Only if Imprudence Prevails Will a Trump Presidency be Disastrous for Canada The ability of Canada’s political leaders to treat our relationship with the US, and with the US president, with the highest priority and care, has always been of paramount importance. With today’s US election […]Eichenbaum, Alexopoulos, and Kronick – Here’s how Ottawa’s productivity working group could have made a difference
Published in The Hill Times.
It’s a good start: on Aug. 27, the federal government announced that “the Honourable Anita Anand, President of Treasury Board, will immediately set up a working group to examine productivity and inform the government’s economic plan. The working group will address barriers to achieving greater efficiencies for businesses so we can help increase productivity across the country.” Anand highlighted restrictions on internal trade and overly burdensome regulations as critical, closely linked areas that policymakers must address.
The minister is right. However, for this working group to provide real value for Canadians, we need it to produce actionable ideas that can be swiftly implemented—and not just…
Colin Busby – Ultimatum Day Arrives: What to do about Bill C-319 and OAS?
From: Colin BusbyTo: Pension observersDate: October 29, 2024Re: Ultimatum Day Arrives: What to do about Bill C-319 and OAS? In late September, the Bloc Québecois, which holds 33 seats in the House of Commons – enough to give the Liberal minority government (153 seats) the votes it needs to pass votes of confidence – gave […] Brian Lewis – What to Watch for in the Ford Government’s Fall Economic Statement
Published in TVO Today.
Ontario’s upcoming fall economic statement presents the Ford government with an opportunity for strategic policy announcements ahead of a possible 2025 election. Traditionally an update on the province’s fiscal outlook, this year’s FES is likely to be shaped more than usual by political considerations — for example, the government plans to issue a $200 cheque to every Ontarian.
The Ford administration faces a delicate balancing act: introducing new initiatives while keeping an eye on provincial finances amid economic uncertainties. At a minimum, the FES offers insight into the government’s fiscal outlook and reports on key policy priorities. It should also tell us whether the province is focused on…
Graph of the Week: Rising Federal Debt Charges After 30-Year Decline
Public debt charges are what the government spends to pay the interest on its outstanding debt. After a 30-year decline from their 1990s highs, federal public debt charges as a share of GDP are now on the rise. With an election looming and the customary costly spending promises from all parties, it will be interesting […] Colin Busby – Bill C-59: Is Canada Setting Back Sustainable Investment Opportunities for Green Investors and Pension Funds?
From: Colin Busby To: Investment watchers Date: October 17, 2024 Re: Bill C-59: Is Canada Setting Back Sustainable Investment Opportunities for Green Investors and Pension Funds? Canadian policymakers aim to attract more investment, especially from large international and domestic pension funds. These investors pursue opportunities globally, and competition is fierce. They seek the best returns that consider various risks, […] Michael Wernick – Unlocking Productivity in the Public Sector: Focusing on Internal Services
From: Michael WernickTo: Public service observers Date: October 16, 2024 Re: Unlocking Productivity in the Public Sector: Focusing on Internal Services It is difficult to have a wide-ranging, national conversation about having a more productive economy without touching upon the public sector’s role and its efficiency. We should delve deeper than fiscal analyses of costs, assets, and […] Bob Baldwin – Pension Bill Paralysis Provides Useful Chance for Broader Thinking
From: Bob Baldwin To: Pension watchers Date: October 11, 2024 Re: Pension Bill Paralysis Provides Useful Chance for Broader Thinking With the members of the government, and notably all cabinet members, voting against Bill C-319, the Bloc bill to increase Old-age Security (OAS) benefits by 10 percent to those aged 65 to 74, it appears to be fully stalled […] Chris Bonnett – Ignore the Siren Call of Making Pharmacare Single-Payer
From: Chris BonnettTo: Pharmacare WatchersDate: October 9, 2024Re: Ignore the Siren Call of Making Pharmacare Single-Payer As Bill C-64 moves through Parliament, there are voices calling for amendments to ensure the fledgling pharmacare program adheres to the recommendation from the National Advisory Council on the Implementation of Pharmacare that it be a publicly funded single-payer […] Manley, Hall Findlay – Trouble from Trump II: Let Us Count the Ways
From: John Manley and Martha Hall Findlay To: Concerned Canadians Date: October 8, 2024 Re: Trouble from Trump II: Let Us Count the Ways It is critical for Canadians to have a conversation now about the prospect of a second Trump presidency. While the decisions of any US president reverberate in Canada, Trump’s worldview and governing style could wreak havoc […]