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FRASER UPDATE
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Latest Research Jan 27-Feb 1, 2020
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Any province—including Alberta—has ability to mandate constitutional negotiations on equalization, other issues
Refining Alberta’s Equalization Gambit argues that, despite popular misconceptions (particularly in Central Canada), Alberta can compel other provinces and the federal government to negotiate aspects of the Constitution including equalization. The essay cites past Supreme Court judgments and germane sections of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Read More ([link removed])

Public-sector workers in Atlantic Canada were paid 11.9 per cent higher wages than comparable private-sector workers in 2018
Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Atlantic Canada finds that public-sector employees in the four Atlantic provinces—including municipal, provincial and federal government workers—received 11.9 per cent higher wages on average than comparable workers in the private sector in 2018, and also enjoyed more generous pensions, earlier retirement, more time off for personal leave and greater job security.
Read More ([link removed])

Recent Commentary and Blog Posts
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Ontarians shoulder provincial government debt—and big chunk of federal debt ([link removed])
(Appeared in the Ottawa Sun) by Ben Eisen and Jake Fuss.
The government’s debts exceed its financial assets by approximately $353.7 billion.

Union leaders want smaller classes, yet the evidence does not support their claims ([link removed])
(Appeared in the Toronto Sun) by Ben Eisen.
Ontario union leaders say proposed increases to the number of students per teacher will hurt the quality of education in the province.

Trudeau tax relief plan—funded by borrowed money—will do little for economic growth ([link removed])
(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Jake Fuss, Finn Poschmann.
The government’s plan to increase the “basic personal amount” will cost nearly $7 billion annually.

Government debt—the burden on Albertans continues to grow ([link removed])
by Jake Fuss and Steve Lafleur. 
Alberta’s portion of the federal debt totals approximately $135 billion.

Morneau seems uninterested in perilous state of federal finances ([link removed])
(Appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press) by Jason Clemens, Jake Fuss, and Milagros Palacios.
The federal deficit this year will increase from original budget estimates of $19.8 billion to $26.6 billion.

Kenney reforms may reduce health-care wait times, like in Saskatchewan ([link removed])
by Bacchus Barua and Mackenzie Moir. 
Alberta hopes to mirror Saskatchewan’s successful wait time-reduction.

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. For more, call (800) 665-3558 ext. 590.

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