Losses, Risks and Reputation: Bolstering the Bank of Canada for the Road Ahead
Central banks around the world, including the Bank of Canada, are dealing with a hangover from the quantitative easing (QE) policies undertaken during the pandemic. Ensuing inflation and interest-rate hikes have created balance sheet mismatches and net interest losses. As an example, the interest rate the Bank of Canada earns on its bond portfolio is […] Bolstering the Bank of Canada for the Risks Ahead
The Bank of Canada needs bolstering for the losses and risks ahead, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Losses, Risks and Reputation: Bolstering the Bank of Canada for the Road Ahead” author Janet Cosier, who served as the Bank’s Chief Risk Officer and…Malcolm Burrows – AMT and Donations
From: Malcolm Burrows To: The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance Date: October 4, 2023 Re: AMT and Donations Changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) rates and rules are scheduled to take effect on January 1 and for the first time AMT will apply to charitable donations from high-income individuals. This is poor tax policy that will […] Mahboubi, Lotin – Housing and International Student Numbers – Some suggestions
From: Parisa Mahboubi and Henry Lotin To: Canada’s Immigration Watchers Date: October 3, 2023 Re: Housing and international student numbers: Some suggestions. As Canada grapples with surging housing demand, the federal government is exploring solutions to limit the influx of international students. Two strategies have been under consideration: setting a cap on international student visas and introducing a […] Drummond, Sinclair, Walker, Jones and Gladkov – Statistics Canada Identifies Deficiencies in Canadians’ Health: Governments Must Address Them Now
From: Don Drummond, Duncan Sinclair, David Walker, David Jones and Philipp Gladkov To: Canada’s Premiers Date: September 29, 2023 Re: Statistics Canada identifies deficiencies in Canadians’ health: Governments must address them now Two years ago, we argued that Canada pays insufficient attention to the promotion of good health and the collection of data and information on the health […] Jon Johnson – Current Republican Thoughts on Trade
From: Jon Johnson To: Canadian Trade Watchers Date: September 28, 2023 Re: Current Republican Thoughts on Trade On August 22, former President Trump proposed a “universal baseline tariff” of 10 percent on virtually all imports to the United States. The rationale: “When companies come in and they dump their products in the United States, they […]Solving Canada’s Housing Affordability Crisis with Romy Bowers and Bob Dugan
There are solutions to Canada’s housing crisis, but with high interest rates and falling housing starts, it takes innovation and a willingness to cut red tape. The CMHC’s Romy Bowers and Bob Dugan join Michael Hainsworth to discuss how we can double housing starts for single family homes – and purpose-built rentals. Robson, Laurin – More Inflation Pain: The Insidious Tax Effects
To: The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance From: William B.P. Robson and Alexandre Laurin Date: September 26, 2023 Re: More Inflation Pain: The Insidious Tax Effects Inflation in Canada has been above the Bank of Canada’s 2-percent target since early 2021. By the time the Bank’s own projections show it returning to 2 percent next August, the purchasing […] Colin Busby – RRSP or TFSA? Canadians Need Help to Make the Call
From: Colin Busby To: Retirement savings observers Date: September 25, 2023 Re: RRSP or TFSA? Canadians Need Help to Make the Call A successful savings plan is the product of both how much is saved and the returns on those savings, which one could call saving efficiency. This second aspect of savings decisions is often […] Statistics Canada finds deficiencies in Canadians’ health, which governments must address now – The Hill Times
Two years ago, we argued Canada pays insufficient attention to the promotion of good health and the collection of data and information on the health of Canadians. The focus has been on health care, the treatment and care of those already in ill health.
Policymakers could argue they did not have the full range of insights needed to implement a more comprehensive set of health policies at the time. However, thanks to a new report from Statistics Canada, there is no longer any excuse.
Unfortunately, the report clings to the custom of equating good health with the absence of disease, especially of chronic conditions, but does report on Canadians’ self-perception of their health status and…
Canada and its Provinces Fall Short When it Comes to Seniors’ Care
September 21 – Canada and its provinces, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, can do more to improve access to seniors’ care and overall equity in the health system, a new E-Brief from the C.D Howe Institute shows. In “Shortcomings in Seniors’ Care: How Canada Compares to…Shortcomings in Seniors’ Care: How Canada Compares to its Peers and the Paths to Improvement
Among 11 countries surveyed by the Commonwealth Fund, Canada’s seniors’ care ranks eighth, ahead only of France, the UK and Sweden. At the provincial level, some provinces compare more favourably to international jurisdictions while others, particularly Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, sit at the bottom of the ranking. PEI, Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba, rank […]