John Lester – Consultations on a Patent Box Regime for Canada (Part 2)
From: John Lester To: Finance Canada officials Date: February 7, 2024 Re: Consultations on a Patent Box Regime for Canada Last week’s Finance Canada launch of consultations on a cost-neutral modernization and improvement of the Scientific Research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentives included the suitability of creating a patent box regime. In my Memo […] Canada’s Healthcare System Needs Urgent Transformation
A new report from the C.D. Howe Institute and HealthCareCAN states that bold action is urgently needed to transform Canada’s healthcare system to better meet the needs of citizens across the country. A new Special Policy Conference Report “…Canada’s Healthcare System Needs Urgent Transformation
A new report from the C.D. Howe Institute and HealthCareCAN states that bold action is urgently needed to transform Canada’s healthcare system to better meet the needs of citizens across the country. A new Special Policy Conference Report “…Special Policy Conference – Better Health Outcomes: What’s Holding Canada Back?
Canada’s healthcare systems face many crises, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s straining of capacity and resources. Many Canadians lack access to primary care. Fewer surgeries are being performed than before the pandemic. Overtime hours among the healthcare workforce have increased, linked to staff shortages and worsening burnout.During the first two-and-a-half years of […] Ottawa’s EV timeline is way too optimistic – Financial Post
The federal government recently finalized regulations for its “zero-emissions vehicle” mandate. The mandate requires sellers of light vehicles (passenger cars and light trucks) to sell a rising minimum of zero-emissions vehicles — basically, electric vehicles or EVs — every year, culminating with 100 per cent EVs in 2035, just 11 years from now. Reasonable forecasts of production and sales make clear that Ottawa’s timeline is unrealistic.
The mandate states that new light vehicles must be at least 20 per cent EVs in 2026, 60 per cent in 2030 and, as mentioned, 100 per cent in 2035. The theory is that these requirements will guarantee a market for EVs and therefore encourage imports, construction of domestic manufacturing…
Six Reasons Why Canada Needs Strategic Spending Reviews
February 6, 2024 – Ottawa should implement regular strategic or spending reviews, drawing on past Canadian and international experience, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. …Smarter Government for Turbulent Times
The current spending review underway in Ottawa is a modest start and should be followed by more comprehensive, regular strategic reviews of spending and programs drawing from past Canadian and international experience. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a burgeoning deficit and new expenditures, and the rapidly changing economic and security climate, the […] John Lester – Consultations on a Cost-Neutral Modernization of SR&ED (Part 1)
From: John Lester To: Finance Canada Officials Date: February 6, 2024 Re: Consultations on a Cost-Neutral Modernization of SR&ED (Part 1) Finance Canada announced last week the start of consultations on a cost-neutral modernization and improvement of its scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentive program, and on the suitability of creating a patent box […]The Scope and Nature of Private Healthcare with Katherine Fierlbeck
Curing what ails Canada’s healthcare system requires us taking the financial bull by the privatization horns. Dalhousie University political science Professor Katherine Fierlbeck and host Michael Hainsworth discuss the importance of accurately framing the nature of our system so we can understand it’s expectations – and limitations. Dadson, Waitzer – Who Should Set Provincial Energy Policy?
From: Aleck Dadson and Ed Waitzer To: Canadian regulatory agency observers Date: February 5, 2024 Re: Who Should Set Provincial Energy Policy? Who gets to decide the direction of energy policy in Ontario? The Ontario government itself, led by the Minister of Energy? Or the specialized regulatory agencies that adjudicate rate setting and establish rules […] Lennie Kaplan – Alberta Needs Comprehensive Budget Stress Testing
From: Lennie Kaplan To: Alberta budget observers Date: February 2, 2024 Re: Alberta Needs Comprehensive Budget Stress Testing Alberta’s revenue forecasting prowess is back in the spotlight as the province faces potential budget deficits over the next two fiscal years. Alberta has several revenue sources, most notably non-renewable resource revenues and corporate income taxes, that are significantly affected by […]