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FRASER UPDATE
A weekly digest of our latest research, commentary, and blog posts
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Featured Reading
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Revisions to ‘wage subsidy’ program leave many questions unanswered
For now, the new wage subsidy program will cost $71 billion.
Read More [[link removed]]

Commentary and Blog Posts
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Ford government’s budget update overly optimistic and likely ineffective [[link removed]]
(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Jason Clemens, Niels Veldhuis, and Milagros Palacios
Ontario announced no measures to tackle the underlying problems in the province’s electricity market that cause higher prices.

Crises—an ideal time for the state to grab power [[link removed]]
(Appeared in the National Post) by Bruce Pardy
In response to the COVID crisis, Parliament granted sweeping powers to the finance minister.

Modern Monetary Theory, Part 2: Will MMT hold down taxes? [[link removed]]
by Steven Globerman
Default risk and exchange-rate risk increase for foreign lenders as they increase their holdings of any government’s debt.

Queen’s Park postponing property tax reform today could hurt businesses tomorrow [[link removed]]
by Josef Filipowicz
Businesses large and small face disproportionate property tax rates for the foreseeable future.

Employers must be allowed to temporarily lay off workers during COVID crisis [[link removed]]
(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Alex Whalen and Niels Veldhuis
High regulatory and severance costs alongside legislative uncertainty will exacerbate an already bad situation.

Alberta deficit likely far worse than expected [[link removed]]
by Steve Lafleur
Chronic deficits through good times and bad have led to a roughly $70 billion erosion of the province’s financial assets.

Newfoundland and Labrador faces fiscal crisis, other provinces should take note [[link removed]]
by Ben Eisen and Alex Whalen
Alberta’s per-person government debt has eclipsed $10,000 this year.

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