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Latest Research

Fewer regulations and loosening foreign ownership restrictions in telecoms and broadcasting would improve services and lower prices for Canadians

Promoting Efficient Competition in Canadian Telecommunications and Broadcasting finds that opening up telecommunications and broadcasting in Canada to increased and less regulated competition, including from foreign investors, would promote more consumer-focused content, more choice and lower costs for Canadians over time.

Relying on deeply flawed ESG (environment, social and governance) ratings is incompatible with investment fiduciaries’ legal obligations

A Lawsuit Waiting to Happen: The Use of Non-Financial Metrics by the Investment Industry is a new study by Prof. Bryce C. Tingle that finds ESG ratings are unreliable, can vary widely between rating agencies and are vulnerable to fraudulent marketing claims, which is worrying given the increasing use of ESG ratings by investment managers.

Houston government has reduced per-person net debt (inflation adjusted) more than any government from 1980 to 2024

Nova Scotia Premiers and Government Debt, 1980 to 2024 finds that the Houston government has reduced inflation-adjusted per-person provincial net debt more than any other Nova Scotia government over the past 45 years.

Newfoundland & Labrador Premiers and Government Debt, 1980 to 2024

Danny Williams reduced Newfoundland and Labrador’s per-person net debt (inflation adjusted) more than any other premier between 1980 and 2024

Newfoundland and Labrador Premiers and Government Debt, 1980 to 2024 finds that the government of Danny Williams oversaw the largest reduction in provincial per-person net debt (inflation adjusted) over the past 45 years.

Premiers Blaine Higgs and Brian Gallant reduced per person debt in New Brunswick, returning it to levels not seen since the early 1990s

New Brunswick Premiers and Government Debt, 1980 to 2024 finds that former premiers Blaine Higgs and Brian Gallant presided over a near-decade long period of reductions in per person government net debt (inflation-adjusted), returning the province’s debt (in per person terms) to levels not seen since the early 1990s.

PEI’s Premier King reversed 10-year debt reduction trend; province again accumulating debt

Prince Edward Island Premiers and Government Debt, 1980 to 2024 finds that former premier Dennis King reversed a 10-year debt reduction trend in the province, as measured in per-person inflation adjusted net debt.

Commentary and Blog Posts

Looming Air Canada strike highlights need for more competition in the air

by Alex Whalen and Jake Fuss

Air travel labour disruptions may never be fully eliminated, but Canadian government policy is making the situation worse than it needs to be.

Closing the economic and fiscal books on the Trudeau era

by Jason Clemens, Grady Munro and Milagros Palacios

From 2015 to 2024, private-sector employment increased by 13.4 per cent compared to 27.0 per cent for government-sector employment.

Legal rights should not depend on lineage—Indigenous or otherwise

(Appeared in the National Post) by Bruce Pardy

The court found that the Cowichan First Nation holds Aboriginal title over 800 acres of government land in British Columbia.

Governments in Canada should get out of EV business as Trump pulls the plug

(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Kenneth P. Green

The Trump administration is poised to eliminate several large-scale environmental regulations.

Albertans simply want a fair shake in the federation

(Appeared in the Calgary Sun) by Tegan Hill and Nathaniel Li

From 2007 to 2022, Albertans’ net contribution to federal finances was $244.6 billion.

Toronto taxpayers should demand better of city’s homelessness services

(Appeared in the Toronto Sun) by Matthew Lau

In 2024, the gross expenditures operating budget for Toronto Shelter and Support Services was $787.5 million.

Ontario’s economy is broken—and has been for a long time

(Appeared in the Hamilton Spectator) by Ben Eisen

From 2000 to 2023, the province's per-person GDP grew at a compound annual rate of just 0.55 per cent.

Trump’s trade war—an update from the front

by Jock Finlayson

Many Canadian industries are heavily dependent on the $30 trillion U.S. market.

No quick fix for Ontario’s economic decline

by Livio Di Matteo

Ontario went from the top province in terms of per-capita GDP to mid-ranked.

Islanders who celebrate toll reduction should remember there’s no free lunch

(Appeared in the Charlottetown Guardian) by Alex Whalen

The government estimates the toll reduction will cost $100 million to federal coffers.

Ontario government should dismantle school boards and empower parents

(Appeared in the Toronto Star) by Michael Zwaagstra

Replacing school boards with provincial bureaucracies is not the way to make schools more responsive to community needs.

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