Mark Twain said, “Whiskey’s for drinkin’ and water’s for fightin’ over.”
Year: 2001
The Rise of eGovt
Just as the early 20th century’s sleepily parochial governments transformed themselves into sprawling bureaucracies to keep pace with industrialization, that lumbering, inflexible, messy, inefficient institution we call government today must — and surely will — transform itself in honor of the Digital Age.
School Choice, Kiwi-Style
As in most jurisdictions in North America, including Manitoba, New Zealand was grappling with major policy questions about education, from improving student performance to funding formulas, from charter schools to classroom size.
Competition in Emergency Healthcare
The Stockholm metropolitan area has witnessed a rapid transition in the style and format of health care. The new, competition-based model of public healthcare is now about to hit the emergency room and operating theatre in that city.
Featured News
Traditional Teaching is not Obsolete
Artificial intelligence has come a long way. Unlike the rudimentary software of the past, modern-day programs such as ChatGPT are truly impressive. Whether you need a 1,000-word essay summarizing the history of Manitoba, a 500-word article extolling the virtues of...
Ottawa’s Policies Defeat Its Critical Minerals Push
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a recent rush visit to the Saskatchewan Research Council’s experimental rare earth refining facility in Saskatoon. He touted his government’s efforts to promote rare earth discovery, development, and extraction, along with the...
From State to Market: A Survey of Empirical Studies on Privatization
In most settings empirical studies show that privatization “works” in that the firms become more efficient, more profitable, and financially healthier, and reward investors
*The cruel hand of equalization
After 44 years and $180-billion dollars in equalization spending (not adjusted for inflation) the Atlantic provinces are only barely more able to meet the needs of their citizens with their own revenue sources than they were when equalization was introduced in 1957.
Fixing the Indian Act
Canada's most archaic legislation, the Indian Act, may finally be revised this year, but the changes under discussion will do little to remedy the abject poverty of most aboriginal citizens. Until they experience the full range of rights enjoyed by other Canadians,...
A Better Way For Transit
Fewer Canadians are taking the bus. Before mass transit reaches the end of the line, we should look at solutions that have worked elsewhere. The demographic indicators are not favourable. Our cities are dispersing, as more people choose the suburban and country...
A Conversation with Nick Newton
It’s really recognizing what the public sector and private sector are best at. The public sector is best at specifying what it needs in terms of funding, controlling, coordinating and the private sector are best at driving efficiencies in operations and improving customer service.
A Conversation with Henry Zondervan
Charter schools are popular because they are providing a vastly needed improvement in choice and various alternatives of delivery within the public system. They are creating a stronger voice for parents, which is one of the main reasons why many are dissatisfied with the broader public system.
Value Added Builds Rural Communities
As the farm belt struggles to make a living, many are turning to alternative crops and processing. This trend should be encouraged.
Private health — it works for Sweden
Private hospitals? Contracting out of health services? Last week, Mr. Harris flirted with the unthinkable: “If we’re going to have a universal system, we should not be afraid to say, ‘Can the private sector run this hospital better? Can they provide this service better? If they can, why should we fear that?’ “
Introduce merit pay to the school system
The winds of change are beginning to buffet public education in Canada. In Alberta, charter schools receive operating funding from government, but are free to run their own affairs absent the dead hand of bureaucracy.