Research Papers
Cutting the Smart Way: A Plan to Cut Federal Finances to More Sustainable Levels
The key to meeting Carney’s or Poilievre’s ambitious fiscal targets will be a systematic approach to both reviewing existing spending and controlling future spending. As discussed below, such an approach must target ineffective program spending as well as inefficient government operations. The goal should be to reconceptualize both what the government does and how it does it.
DownloadReflecting on Canada’s Fiscal Past: An Assessment of the Fiscal Performance of Canadian Prime Ministers
With a new Prime Minister arriving and an election potentially on the horizon, now is as a good a time as any to assess the economic and fiscal performances of Canada’s prime ministers
DownloadMining: Canada’s New Engine of Growth
Mining’s resurgence stands out as an example for Canada’s many struggling industries that positive market conditions can follow even the harshest of decades. The goal here is to profile its experience and draw on its lessons for other parts of the economy.
DownloadUnderstanding the Costs of Supply Management
This essay discusses the persistent problems with the supply management system and presents a path forward.
DownloadMoving Into Uncharted Waters: How Canada Could Benefit From a Clearly Defined Population Policy
It is argued here that any future Canadian government would be well served in carefully developing a “distinctly Canadian population policy.”
DownloadThe Three Keys to Airline Deregulation in Canada
With a new federal government likely on the horizon and affordability being an important issue in the eyes of voters, pursuing the policy reforms of ending cabotage restrictions, removing foreign ownership limits, and privatizing airports could bring much-needed competition to the airline industry while lowering prices for Canadians.
DownloadIs It Time for a Carbon Policy Time Out?
Canada’s energy industry needs a carbon policy “time out.”
DownloadWhy Bill C-11’s Misdiagnosed Canada’s Broadcasting Woes
More than 18 months later, implementation of the bill has been a regulatory mess, marked by multiple court challenges and the prospect of trade battles that have been exacerbated by the imminent return of President Donald Trump to the White House.
DownloadUnlocking Growth: Liberalizing Canada’s Telecom Sector for Dynamic Competition
This paper outlines amendments to the foreign ownership restrictions under the Telecommunications Act as well as accompanying changes to spectrum and wholesale policies that would need to be part of an overall agenda to open up the industry.
DownloadWhy Canada Doesn’t Need Another Broadband Provider
While Canada faces unique broadband challenges, none of them can be solved by government fiat
DownloadAssessing the Immigrant Share of Canada’s Population
This paper argues that the number of Canadians born abroad could actually be approaching ten percentage points higher (8-9 percent) once you fully account for non-permanent residents, overlooked residents, and undocumented residents to Canada.
DownloadMarket-Based Competition and the Canadian Telecommunications Sector
This study offers an alternative conception of competition than the prevailing one in Canada based less on the number of market participants per se and instead focused on creating the conditions for greater market-based competition in the industry.
DownloadEstimating the Impact of the Capital Gains Tax Increase on Canada’s Economy
The purpose of this latest paper therefore is to better understand the economic effects of the capital gains tax increase—with a focus on investment, jobs and GDP.
DownloadFour Policy Priorities for Parliament’s Return
In order to situate the fall parliamentary sitting, we’ve compiled four short essays from leading experts on some of the policy issues that are likely to animate its deliberations.
DownloadHas the Recent Surge in Immigration to Canada Affected Productivity?
In this paper we ask whether these two phenomena of falling productivity and rising immigration are connected. More specifically, has the surge in immigration had anything to with Canada’s disappointing productivity performance?
DownloadExploring the State of Physician Supply in Canada
This paper aims to assess whether Canada actually has a physician supply problem and provide an overview of the burdens that Canadian physicians face.
DownloadTwo-Parent Families in Canada
This paper looks at the historical trends in the distribution of children across different family types and considers how this distribution differs across provinces. It then discusses how family structure impacts fertility rates—currently at an all-time low in Canada. Finally, we will see how Canada compares to peer countries: the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
DownloadGovernment Support and Trust in the Canadian News Media
Canadians are losing their trust in the media.
DownloadWhat a Pro-Growth Tax Reform Might Look Like
It’s time for a growth-oriented tax reform to minimize economic distortions and maximize the potential for innovation and investment to support a thriving, dynamic economy.
DownloadThe Capital Gains Tax Hike Will Hurt the Middle-Class Too
The analysis shows that the effect of the capital gains tax affects not just the wealthy but many middle-class and even Canadians with modest incomes.
DownloadInflation and Affordability in Canada: Problems and Solutions
The burning issue right now in Canada is the cost of living – and it’s not going away anytime soon.
DownloadHow Happy are Canadians?
A key question pervading our politics is: how are Canadians doing?
DownloadThe Contribution of Natural Resources to Canada’s Economy
It’s increasingly recognized in policy and political circles that one of the biggest challenges facing the country is economic stagnation and declining living standards.
DownloadWhat is the State of Canadian Defence Spending?
The current state of Canada’s military and defence spending has been the subject of international criticism and a source of growing isolation from key allies.
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