“If you want to understand the European crisis, you only need two statistics. The first is the development of the ratio of government expenditure to GDP over time; the second is the level of government debt.”
Taxation
Higher Taxes in Illinois and the Beauty of Federalism
Yesterday, the state of Illinois approved an increase in the state’s personal income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. Corporate taxes are also set to increase. I’m not familiar enough with Illinois’ budgetary circumstances to say whether the tax increases are a good...
HST Saves Business Money
This type of cost sharing is one more reason why Manitoba and Sask should be looking at implementing a HST.
Manitoba Should Consider An HST
Manitoba has a reputation as a diversified and steady long-term economic performer. Indeed, in 2009, Manitoba alone among Canada’s provincial economies did not contract. Yet there is the nagging feeling that all is not right and Manitoba demonstrates some economic weaknesses.
Featured News
Strike Before the Crumble
COVID-19 has left a gaping hole in Quebec’s healthcare system. Lack of nursing personnel, testing shortages, overflooding hospitals and postponed surgeries have turned Quebec’s healthcare into complete chaos. "We must invest in the health-care system, which is in the...
Let a Thousand Capital Markets Bloom
Alarm bells ought to be ringing in Canada. Business, industrial and foreign direct investment have performed pitifully over the past decade, with no reason to believe there will be a turnaround any time soon. As noted by Steven Globerman of Western Washington...
Celtic Tiger Lessons
The burgeoning beast known as the Celtic tiger is more proof that tax cuts can pay for themselves and more.
The Elegance Of The Flat Tax
Alberta’s plan for a flat provincial income tax has merit.
Voting with their Feet
Manitoba and Saskatchewan are losing brainpower workers to other parts of the country because their taxes are too high.
Manitoba Taxes, Ontario Tax Cuts, And Bracket Creep
The only plan that comes closest to the major tax cuts needed to discourage movement of our most valuable tax base – well-paid and educated people — to Alberta and Ontario and to compensate Manitobans for years of bracket creep.
Manitoba at the Crossroads
Despite many grounds for optimism, new threats to Manitoba’s competitiveness are building. Substantially lower taxes in Alberta and Ontario will pull jobs and investment from our economy.
A Tale of Two Worlds
The great divide between the public and private sectors, in terms of productivity and efficiency, continues to expand.
When Revenues Collapse
The book predicts that governments will eventually be controlled by their customers, citizens who pay for and use their services. Thus we will see innovative policies to reduce operating costs – but for real this time. In a world of dwindling revenues, we will, of necessity, see high-performance government.
Lessons From Ireland
Ten years ago, this island’s population of 3.6 million suffered 18% unemployment. Its economy was based mainly on farming and natural resources. Talented folks did what generations before them had done to get ahead – leave, just as many of our own have done on the Prairies.
Falling Dollar Creates Half Price Canada
With the growing turmoil in world currency markets, our dollar is plummeting like a rock. Last week the Loonie sank to its lowest rate since 1858, below 64 cents, despite a one percent interest rate hike by the Bank of Canada.