Informed views on some complex socio-economic issues
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A carbon tax is the right policy
This article was published in the Globe and mail on April 3, 2024:https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-carbon-tax-climate-change/ Let’s be honest: A carbon tax will hurt the economy, and Canada reducing its emissions will not do much for climate change. But we should also do our part, and carbon pricing is the option that should appeal the most to conservative-minded…
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Changes to the Bank of Canada Governance would be helpful
This article was published in the Globe and mail on March 18, 2024: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-we-must-consider-serious-structural-changes-for-the-bank-of-canada/ The current monetary policy framework agreement between the government and the Bank of Canada, which lays out the mandate of the central bank, is set to expire at the end of 2026. Some important structural changes should be contemplated for the next agreement,…
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Big government is not necessarily bad
(This article was published in the Globe&Mail on June 9, 2024: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-has-99-problems-but-a-high-tax-regime-aint-one/) A majority of people are tired with the Liberal “bigger government agenda.” Close to 60 per cent of Canadians believe that the government is spending too much and 75 per cent feel overtaxed. That is a lot of unhappy people. The recent tax hikes on capital gains…
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Industry Support: Do taxpayers get value for money?
Although the government swore in the last federal budget that it is not doing industrial policy, how else do you describe the $20 billion provided to some sectors or technologies over the next 5 years? And what about the $14 billion provided to Volkswagen? By providing benefits to certain sectors, regions, or technologies at the…
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Inflation: Workers Bear Too Much Blame
(français plus bas) [A revised version of this article was published in Policy Options: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/june-2023/inflation-blame-workers/] Central bank governors are concerned about wage increases. Carolyn Rogers, Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, notes: “If we continue to have above-average wage growth (…), it will be difficult to bring inflation down to 2%. Governor Tiff…
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Quand l’économie est une obsession
Les considérations économiques sont au centre de toute décision politique. Subventions, réticence à enrichir le filet social ou à protéger davantage l’environnement, tout pour assurer une croissance plus forte de notre consommation. On semble même préférer relocaliser des gens que de forcer une entreprise à respecter la réglementation environnementale. Pourquoi? Parce que les élus, et…
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L’Immigration: Qu’ossa donne?
Revised version in English published in Policy Options here: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/july-2023/immigration-positive-negative/ Et une version révisée de la version française a été publiée ici: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/juillet-2023/immigration-positif-negatif/ Pour certains, l’immigration est un problème – passeurs illégaux, menace à nos emplois et à notre culture – mais pour d’autres une solution à nos pénuries de main-d’œuvre et au vieillissement de…
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