What Is to Blame for the Widening Racial Earnings Gap? – Globe and Mail Op-Ed
Canada’s labour force has become more diverse, but visible minorities as a whole still struggle to achieve parity in the labour market. Even accounting for differences in individuals’ characteristics, the data show that the slow process of integration for immigrants merits special attention.
More than one-fifth of Canadians are visible minorities – non-Indigenous and “non-Caucasian” in race or non-white in colour – according to the 2016 Census. Visible minorities earned only 81.2 per cent of what non-visible minorities earned in 2015 – a gap that has widened by 2.6 percentage points since 2000.
Education, work experience and occupation play important roles in earning outcomes, but they are not able to fully…
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation: More Educated, But Less Skilled Canadians
Canada’s workforce has experienced a troubling slide in literacy and numeracy skills, despite higher levels of education and improvements in learning technology, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation: More Educated, But Less Skilled Canadians,” author Parisa Mahboubi compares results of international surveys from 2003 and 2012 […] Bill Robson on BNN – Ontario has no ‘rainy day’ money
Bill Robson, CEO at C.D. Howe Institute, and market commentator Dennis Mitchell, join BNN for a closer look at Ontario’s Fall Provincial Economic Update and why there is concern the province has not socked away enough money for a rainy day.
William B.P. Robson – The “factor Of Nine” Crushes Retirement Saving Opportunities – Let’s Pension It Off
From: William B.P. Robson To: Canadians Struggling to Save for Retirement Date: November 13, 2017 Re: The “Factor of Nine” Crushes Retirement Saving Opportunities – Let’s Pension it Off Ottawa should raise contribution limits for savers in RRSPs and defined-contribution pension plans. In a recent paper, I outlined how current limits are outdated, unfair, and put savers in RRSPs […] Jim MacGee – Limit the Buildup of Risk, not Competition, in Mortgage Lending
From: Jim MacGee To: Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance Date: November 10, 2017 Re: Limit the Buildup of Risk, not Competition, in Mortgage Lending Last month saw another move to limit the buildup of risk in housing markets, with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions updating guideline B-20 on residential mortgage underwriting practices and procedures. A key […] Addy, Manji-Knight – Revised Immunity Program May Not Be Your Best Weapon
From: George N. Addy and Alysha Manji-Knight To: The Competition Bureau of Canada Date: November 09, 2017 Re: Revised Immunity Program May Not Be Your Best Weapon Last month the Competition Bureau released for public consultation a revised version of its immunity program, its self-described ‘best weapon’ to provide incentives to businesses and individuals to report criminal anticompetitive […] Kevin Milligan – Lessons for Canada in Republican Tax Plan
From: Kevin Milligan To: Concerned Canadians Date: November 08, 2017 Re: Lessons for Canada in Republican Tax Plan The tax reform debate in the United States is taking firmer shape in recent weeks, with a new Republican proposal in the House of Representatives that is scheduled for a vote next week. It would be easy […] Rosalie Wyonch on BNN – Ottawa chooses middle ground on cannabis tax
The Institute’s Rosalie Wyonch joined BNN to discuss Ottawa’s cannabis tax proposal, and whether it will have an impact on reducing marijuana in the black market.
Rethinking Limits on Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings in Canada
Ottawa should raise contribution limits for savers in RRSPs and defined-contribution plans, according to a new C.D. Howe Institute report. In Rethinking Limits on Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings in Canada, author William Robson finds current limits are outdated, unfair, and put savers in RRSPs and defined-contribution plans at a major disadvantage. Ottawa Should Lift Unfair Contribution Limits On Rrsps, Pension Plans
November 7, 2017 – Ottawa should raise contribution limits for savers in RRSPs and defined-contribution pension plans, says a new C.D. Howe Institute report. In “Rethinking Limits on Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings in Canada,” author William Robson finds current limits are outdated, unfair, and…William B.P. Robson – Lesson from the Sears Disaster: Fund Pensions Properly!
From: William B.P. Robson To: Members of Parliament and pension regulators Date: November 7, 2017 Re: Lesson from the Sears Disaster: Fund Pensions Properly! The bankruptcy of Sears Canada, and the threat that its underfunded pension plan won’t pay what it promised, has drawn widespread attention, not least from members of Parliament. Understandably so. You don’t get a second chance at retirement and when your payout suddenly falls, […]A lesson from the Sears disaster: We must fund pensions properly – Globe and Mail Op-Ed
The bankruptcy of Sears Canada, and the threat that its underfunded pension plan won’t pay what it promised, has caught the attention of members of Parliament. Understandably so. People don’t get a second chance at retirement. Getting an annuity less than you counted on is a terrible blow.
After the sponsor of an insolvent pension plan has gone bankrupt, moreover, governments have no happy choices. A bailout – taxpayers paying for the actions of an irresponsible employer – would be unfair, and set a terrible precedent. Some want a national pension guarantee fund that would charge premiums and pay out upon failures. But experience in the United States, Ontario and elsewhere shows that those schemes also tax responsible people to…