Climbing Out of COVID
New C.D. Howe Institute Book Chronicles COVID-19 Policy Insights A new book from the C.D. Howe Institute provides an overview of the Institute’s critical policy recommendations made in response to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. “Climbing Out of COVID” compiles communiqués from the Institute’s Crisis Working Groups, as well as Intelligence Memos and op-eds, published up […] New C.D. Howe Institute Book Chronicles Covid-19 Policy Insights
A new book from the C.D. Howe Institute provides an overview of the Institute’s critical policy recommendations made in response to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. Read by government policymakers and the public alike, these ideas – aimed at preserving the wellbeing of…Competition can best contain food delivery fees, not unnecessary regulation – Globe and Mail Op-Ed
As restrictions continue on in-person dining, COVID-19 has made restaurants increasingly dependent on food delivery platforms. Last month, the City of Toronto asked Ontario to temporarily cap the service fees restaurants are charged, which can be as high as 30 per cent of the bill.
There is superficial appeal to price caps, but taking economic guidance from Hippocrates – first, do no harm – they amount to quackery. Regulatory interventions need to be carefully dosed according to a precise diagnosis of market failure and the extent of the disease.
Instead of introducing new price cap regulations, Premier Doug Ford urged food delivery apps to slash commissions as a way to help out pandemic-stricken restaurants. This moral…
Jenkins, Kronick – Dealing With The Second Wave: Further Results
From: Paul Jenkins and Jeremy M. Kronick To: Policymakers Across the Country Date: November 16, 2020 Subject: Dealing with the Second Wave: Further Results In a recent Intelligence Memo we presented results using an epidemiological-economic model to analyze a range of possible interventions to turn the recent surge in infection rates back down to our […] Cost and Use of Development Charges: Ontario and British Columbia
New research from Benjamin Dachis explores how homebuyers in Canadian cities face a multitude of taxes and charges that increase the cost of buying a home. These charges include development charges – charges paid by the developer to compensate the municipality for the cost of building infrastructure, such as sewers, to service new homes and […] Paul Jenkins – The Bank’s Balance Sheet: A Perspective
From: Paul Jenkins To: Bank of Canada Watchers Date: November 13, 2020 Subject: The Bank’s Balance Sheet: A Perspective Bank of Canada watchers, rightly, have been giving considerable attention to the unprecedented expansion of its balance sheet, which has increased since mid-March by approximately $410 billion to $530 billion – a nearly 4.5 fold increase […] Gimme Shelter: How High Municipal Housing Charges and Taxes Decrease Housing Supply
Taxes, Charges Drive up House Prices, Limit Supply Taxes and charges on new and existing homes are a key driver of the cost and supply of affordable homes for Canadians. Author Benjamin Dachis points to development charges, land transfer taxes, and murky density bonus payments as partial drivers of reduced supply and soaring house prices […] Taxes, Charges Drive Up House Prices, Limit Supply
Taxes and charges on new and existing homes are a key driver of the cost and supply of affordable homes for Canadians, says a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Gimme Shelter: How High Municipal Housing Charges and Taxes Decrease Housing Supply,” author…When it comes to trade, Canadians should temper their enthusiasm for Joe Biden – Globe and Mail Op-Ed
Whew. Canadians are showing unalloyed relief with the results of the U.S. election, ending four year’s worth of chaos, unpredictability and antagonism under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. The tone of the bilateral relationship will change 180 degrees under a Joe Biden presidency.
Yet when it comes to trade, there are some hard facts that give reason to temper some of this enthusiasm. Here is a short list of items – some good, some not so good – to consider in the days ahead.
SUPPORT FOR MULTILATERALISMThe Biden administration will reverse Mr. Trump’s disdain and disregard for the World Trade Organization and the multilateral system generally.
We can look to the United States removing its veto over…
Miles Wu – An International Debt Comparison
From: Miles Wu To: Canadian Policymakers Date: November 11, 2020 Re: An International Debt Comparison Since March, Canada has announced more than over $350 billion in spending measures to confront the pandemic. Comparing the evolution of Canadian gross debt with the rest of the world, which is also grappling with COVID-19, can help assess our […] S2 E19: The Path to Prosperity Post COVID-19
What will it take to put Canada on the path to prosperity in a post-COVID world? The economy is forecast to rise in 2021 but it’s a case of “one step forward, two steps back.” Taxing our way out of Coronavirus debt isn’t the solution, warn Goldy Hyder and Robert Asselin of the Business Council […] Luc Godbout – Fiscal Anchors, Compasses, Golden Rules, Guardrails Or Targets – By Any Name, Let’s Get One
From: Luc Godbout To: Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance Date: November 10, 2020 Re: Fiscal anchors, compasses, golden rules, guardrails or targets – by any name, let’s get one We can never repeat it enough – the COVID crisis is a prime example of the need for government economic regulation. This essential intervention is required to prevent the Canadian […]