Ben Eisen shows that simple national emissions targets in international climate change treaties disadvantage countries like Canada that are experiencing rapid population growth.
Ben Eisen
The Myth of North American Carbon Reduction Laggards
This study reassesses the greenhouse gas emissions reduction performance of Canada and the United States in light of relevant demographic and economic statistics.
Quebec’s Tuition Increases Are Nothing To Protest Over: Quebec university students already among most highly subsidized
Ben Eisen discusses recent protests over tuition increases in Quebec, and argues that the province’s modest tuition hikes no cause for outrage.
Low Tuition Fees No Panacea for Low-income Families: Low tuition fees does not necessarily promote higher university participation for youth from low-income families
An examination of university participation patterns across the country reveals that provinces with very low tuition fees do not generally attract greater ratios of young adults from low-income families compared to provinces where tuition fees are higher.
Featured News
Our Health Ministers Need to Take a Lesson from Hockey Coaches
Those of you who are tired of my rants about the demise of our once great health system will be pleased to know that this is my last editorial. I am retiring from the BCMJ Editorial Board; currently, I am the longest-serving member (more than 20 years). I have been a...
Zinchuk: Oilpatch Only Spending Half What It Spent in 2014
Back in the lofty, pre-Justin Trudeau government days of 2014, back when oil was booming, pipelines were planned to east and west coasts, and Alberta and Saskatchewan were swimming in money, around $81 billion was spent in capital expenditures (CAPEX) in the Canadian...
Thinking About Welfare and Poverty
I’ve been doing a bit of reading about poverty and the impact of welfare programs the past couple days and have come across some really fascinating, innovative ideas and research.
Jon Chait Explains Why Reform Is Hard
This is helpful in understanding why it is often difficult to eliminate quirks in tax codes, government programs and policies that seem to irrationally benefit particular individuals, groups or organizations.
Healthy Living Vouchers?
A little while ago I posted here, arguing that public awareness campaigns will likely prove an ineffective strategy for reducing obesity in Canada. One alternative is using incentives to encourage people to lose weight or engage in healthy activities. One proposal...
Small Disagreement Over Corporate Taxes Isn’t Worth An Election
I think that we'd be better off with a corporate income tax rate of 15% rather than 16.5%, but is this really worth an election?. Both sides seem to be exaggerating the importance of this relatively small policy dispute. Cutting the rate, as planned, won't add that...
Why Teachers Unions Shouldn’t Run Education
Congratulations to Gary Mason for a fine piece in today's Globe, correctly asserting that the elected government of British Columbia rather than the B.C. Teachers' Federation should run the province's education system. The union and the government are currently in a...
No Surprise- Government “Nagging” Hasn’t Boosted Productivity
Now, I for one am not baffled that government “nagging” hasn’t resulted in private sector productivity gains!
Pop Goes The European Green Energy Bubble
This should give pause to Canadians before we accept claims that well-placed green energy subsidies today will produce vibrant, self-sustaining enterprises a few years down the road.
When $8 Billion Just Isn’t Enough
The Prime Minister has an obligation to pursue policies that benefit the entire country, and writing Quebec another big fat cheque just doesn’t qualify. The response should come swiftly and be unequivocal: “No deal. The rest of Canada won’t be shaken down.”
More Evidence on Fast Food Nutrition Labelling
More evidence that mandatory nutrition labels on menus at fast food restaurants don’t appear to work.