Ottawa’s use of federal transfers to the provinces discourages health care reform; penalties linked with the Canada Health Act deemed a real impediment to reform

Ottawa’s Enforcement of the Canada Health Act Constrains Provincial Health Care Reform finds that the federal government has been increasing its fines on provinces for non-compliance with the Canada Health Act in recent years, further discouraging provinces from pursuing much-needed reforms, while Ottawa levied a total of $267 million in penalties for provincial non-compliance of the CHA from 2014-2024.

Government workers in Ontario receive 7.9% higher wages, on average, than comparable private-sector workers

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Ontario, 2026 Edition, finds that government employees across Ontario were paid 7.9 per cent higher wages, on average, than workers in the private sector in 2024, in addition to generous non-wage benefits such as pensions, earlier retirement, and job security.

Government workers in BC receive 4.4% higher wages, on average, than comparable private-sector workers

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in British Columbia, 2026 Edition, finds that government employees across BC were paid 4.4 per cent higher wages, on average, than workers in the private sector in 2024, in addition to generous non-wage benefits such as pensions, earlier retirement, and job security.

Commentary and Blog Posts

Ottawa’s deal with Alberta won’t keep Canada competitive as Venezuela reemerges

(Appeared in the National Post) by Julio Mejía and Elmira Aliakbari

Canada currently sends more than 95 per cent of its oil and natural gas exports to the United States.

As Trump tries to dominate the U.S. Federal Reserve, how bad could things get?

(Appeared in the Globe and Mail) by Lawrence L. Schembri

The president's efforts to undermine the independence of the Fed have not gone unnoticed by markets.

Weak job numbers last year may mean weak job numbers this year

(Appeared in the Toronto Sun) by Jock Finlayson

The number of unemployed Canadians averaged 1.53 million in 2025, up from 1.40 million in 2024.

Canadians continue to misunderstand the CPP

by Tegan Hill and Jason Clemens

The year individuals are born and the year they retire are major factors in determining their level of CPP benefits.

Even the Globe and Mail (finally) gets it—build the pipeline now

(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Kenneth P. Green

Let’s hope Prime Minister Carney replaces talk with action.

Health-care lessons from Down Under

by Nadeem Esmail and Mackenzie Moir

Australia has 64 per cent more doctors (per population) than Canada.

Ottawa’s EV ambitions clash with electricity grid realities

by Annika Segelhorst and Elmira Aliakbari

Canada would need either the equivalent of 134 Site Cs or 16 nuclear plants the size of Ontario’s Bruce Power facility.

Three lessons from Venezuela’s economic collapse

(Appeared in the Daily Economy) by Matthew D. Mitchell

President Trump is strong-arming U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela.

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