One of the most widespread economic myths is that inflation—the reduced purchasing power of a currency—is a win for a nation, a sign of a booming economy. For the privileged classes in government and with initial access to monetary expansion, it is a win. For everyone...
Canada is struggling economically. From inflation and deficits to investment and employment, everything that should be up is down, and everything that should be down is up. One striking symptom of economic rot is household debt, which is rising faster than incomes....
Supply chain problems, both international and domestic, could create shortages and hoarding, and make recent inflationary pressures even worse. Although problems with our ports and railways may beg policy solutions, the short-term response of everyday Canadians should...
The percentage of self-employed Canadians is the lowest it’s been in almost 35 years, while public sector employment is at its highest percentage in nearly 30—and neither trend bodes well for the economy. Just 2.6 million Canadians identified as self-employed in...
Earlier this year, a group called Equity Matters asked the province to establish an education equity secretariat. They want this office to oversee equity officers working in Manitoba schools. Equity Matters wants to ensure that all Manitoba students are reflected in...
Frances Widdowson probably isn't someone most Canadians recognize. I'm here to tell you why they should. In terms of Canada's intellectual culture, Frances Widdowson matters because she is a classic and prolific academic. In a time when demagoguery easily flourishes,...
Manitoba is temporarily in an enviable position COVID-wise. Both compared to our southern neighbors and even to most of our fellow provinces. But, this is mainly because few people travel to Manitoba in winter. Travelers from western provinces are now allowed to enter...
The idea that our entire civilisation could depend on millions of foreign slaves that we pretend don’t exist is like something out of a dystopian novel, but it is the world in which we have lived for decades now. COVID-19 is proving to be the wake-up call we needed. ...
Despite decades of subsidies by Canadian taxpayers, Bombardier continues to be mired in a financial crisis jeopardizing its future. The latest humiliation came as the company had to sell its train-making division to pay off a substantial amount of debt due this year....
In recent months and years, a plethora of social, cultural, academic and political critics and self-appointed ‘activists’ have all decried the supposed increase in income and wealth inequality in Western nations, particularly the United States of America. The first...
A recent story covered in The Monitor – a magazine published by the left-wing, union-friendly think tank Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – provides an important lesson in basic economics. The headline of the story triumphantly proclaimed: “Gig workers win the...
Canada’s Triple A credit rating was downgraded a notch to AA by Fitch Rating on June 24th. Sadly, it’s no surprise - expect more downgrades as politicians stumble over each other to throw borrowed (and printed) money at the victims of their unwise COVID-19 virus...
In these times when everyone’s attention seems to be riveted on COVID-19, it is important to remember that there are still bad policy ideas that have some chance of becoming legislation in the not too distant future. The Alberta government recently convened an expert...
In looking forward towards a post-pandemic recovery for Canada, an important player is the bond market. Over the last 20 years, Canadian provinces have borrowed heavily. Total provincial bonds now exceed federal government bonds - $650 billion outstanding for the...
After months of COVID-19 restrictions causing a full economic shutdown of our country and others worldwide, what will be the result? Our guest today is Fergus Hodgson, Research Associate at Frontier Centre for Public Policy and Director of EconAmericas. WATCH FULL...