In recent years, equalization and other regional subsidies have captured the attention of many Albertans. Much useful research has been done at the University of Calgary and by the former Wildrose Party. There has been extensive comment in Alberta’s media on Canada’s...
The stated objective of Canada’s equalization program is to ensure provincial governments in less-prosperous regions of the country are able to deliver high-quality public services to residents. This is a worthwhile, even noble objective. That the program is motivated...
Frontier Senior Fellow David Mackinnon discusses the problems with Canada’s antiquated equalization system and how it suppresses growth in recipient provinces. On 580 CFRA News Talk Radio on December 11, 2018 with Rob Snow. Listen here.
Earlier this week, as a Senior Fellow with both the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, I made a presentation to independent Senators in Ottawa. Senators were advised that Canada’s regional subsidies were ineffective. The...
The indictment of former U.S. president Donald Trump for crimes invented by his political opponents is the most egregious example yet seen of the weaponizing of the law. The United States is now full of examples. However, in Canada, we also see the law being...
OTTAWA, REGINA - Last week, two things happened that could have profound impacts on natural resources development in Saskatchewan. One is a hint the federal government might want to take control of natural resources away from the provinces, and the other is the...
Rather than focus on old, discredited explanations for New Brunswick’s poor economic performance, leaders must acknowledge the role that excessive federal subsidies play in underperformance.
I’d like to start my presentation with a warning. The warning is that I’m going to speak very frankly about difficult issues. I will be taking fundamental issue with the approach the federal government, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba have been taking in relation to the many subsidies the Government of Canada provides to regions.
David MacKinnon discusses the benefits of rapid economic growth in developing countries like China and India, as well as the challenges facing Canada in an increasingly competitive global economic environment.
In the 1960’s Canada’s regions were doing well. A fast forward fifty years shows that most regions have fallen short of the promise of fifty years ago.
The new federal parliament has a golden opportunity in its hands to provide meaningful and badly needed fiscal reform to the country. Such reforms could lead to economic renewal, increase productivity, lessen inter-governmental tensions, and strengthen the federation.
Reports by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Frontier Centre for Public Policy in Winnipeg indicate that Ontarians have the least accessible provincial programming in Canada.
In a paper published by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Frontier Centre Senior Fellow David MacKinnon examines the flaws and unintended consequences of Canada’s equalization program. MacKinnon shows that Canada’s current approach to equalization is damaging to all of the provinces, including those that receive large equalization payments.
In a Toronto Star column, the Chair of the Ontario Institute for Public Policy points out equalization harms Ontario.
Equalization is a problem because it is one of the principal pillars of Canadian federalism—but unprincipled in its design and impact.