Taxpayers have good reasons to be concerned about the skyrocketing costs of education. Recently, William Baumol, professor emeritus of economics at Princeton University, used the term “cost disease“ to describe the exponential increase in the cost of social services—a...
Results for "health spending in Manitoba"
Harbingers of Distress
The signs of insidious and steady decline are, as the late French philosopher and social theorist and historian Michel Foucault’s works suggest, usually best found in the day-to-day reports of a society.
Suggestions for the Next Liberal Platform
The Liberal Party of Canada has now chosen its leader. Now the tough job of putting together a platform to meet Canada’s economic challenges begins. This column suggests some policy measures that would help modernize Canada’s economy.
Auditor General, Absence Missed
The Auditor General would perform a valuable public service by announcing and commencing a thorough investigation and ‘value for money’ audit of Hydro’s plans and actions.
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Demand Fairness from Ottawa and Edmonton
A few weeks ago, Albertans voted to reduce the inequities in the federal equalization program. The deficit between the dollars that leave to and come back from Ottawa has recently been as high as $27 billion in one year. During times of crisis, it feels like salt in...
Inflation: They Win, You Lose: Politicos, Cronies Fleece Canadians with Monetary Expansion
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...
Rebranding with Pooh
Exaggerated national reporting of Winnipeg’s many policy problems has damaged its “brand” in Canada. It’s time to play to our strengths.
Reforming Public Education in Canada
The reformist approach to better education involves decentralizing control of the product to the school level, rewarding teacher performance and holding principals responsible for outcomes.
Our Cities, Canada’s Political Doormat
Why are Canadian cities expected to do so much with so little? Let’s open up both angles, how they do things and the resources available.
Follow the Swedish Model and Keep the VON
An important lesson fron Sweden’s healthcare reforms is their salutary effects on worker performance. We should contract more services to outside providers, not fewer.
Deregulation, Privatization, and the Rebirth of the CNR
It is one of the Chretien government’s least talked about policy successes. The renaissance of the Canadian National Railway offers a unique object lesson in good public policy. Taking the CNR out of the public sector allowed it to jump onto the success track.
Alberta’s Liquor Policy Bonanza
The consequences of Alberta’s privatization of liquor retailing have been better than anyone expected.
Internet Starts Shattering Low-Performance Public Policy Paradigm
What will governments do for revenue when commerce moves into venues that are impossible to tax?
Lack Of Property Rights Part Of Native Poverty Puzzle
It’s time to get serious about bringing native Canadians into the Canadian economic mainstream.
Rent Control In Winnipeg
This short report discusses the damage caused by rent control in Winnipeg and suggests approaches to ease out of them