Canada fell to 12th position in global innovation rankings over past decade, while U.S. improved to 2nd

Taxes, Innovation, and Productivity Growth is a new study that highlights the negative effect that higher corporate and personal income taxes have on innovation. In particular, Canada’s tax system is uncompetitive compared to those of other advanced economies—including the United States—when it comes to encouraging innovation-related activities, which in turn slows productivity growth, a key driver of higher living standards.

Don’t squander Alberta’s surpluses by spending them— instead, lower taxes, pay off the debt and/or re-establish rainy-day fund

Don’t Spend Away the Windfall: Better Options for Alberta’s Unexpected Revenues is a new study that finds when resource revenues have increased in the past, previous governments have increased spending, which led to sizeable deficits when resource revenues declined—making this an ample opportunity for Alberta to strengthen the province's finances and economy for the long-term.

Commentary and Blog Posts

Provinces strengthen their shackles in exchange for more federal health-care dollars

by Bacchus Barua, Jake Fuss, and Mackenzie Moir

The Canada Health Act severely limits the ability of provinces to innovate and experiment with health-care policy.

Current crime rates in Ontario raise questions about police proposals for more money

(Appeared in Toronto Sun) by Livio Di Matteo

Officers per 100,000 peaked in 2010 and then began to decline, with crime rates bottoming out around 2015.

Premiers meet prime minister under cloud of dysfunctional federalism

(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Lydia Miljan

Ottawa has a long history of overpromising and underdelivering on program promises.

Federal government’s climate spending tab excludes costs you’ll pay

(Appeared in the Toronto Sun) by Matthew Lau

The ban on single-use plastic products will force Canadians to pay higher prices for lower quality alternatives.

ChatGPT underscores importance of traditional education

(Appeared in the Epoch Times) by Michael Zwaagstra

Tests are the best way to assess students on actual knowledge and skills acquired in a course.

B.C.’s new ‘rental’ fund may actually reduce rental housing in the province

(Appeared in True North) by Steve Lafleur

Vancouver's rental vacancy rate was just 1.2 per cent.

Toronto Police Service wants to increase police budget by more than $48 million

(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Livio Di Matteo

Crime rates in Ontario have declined over a 30-year period and today remain at historic lows.

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