Financial system risks brain drain of innovative young companies
Our system is still geared to an economy focused on investment in tangibles such as buildings, machinery, and equipment.
As Keynes said, ‘Look after unemployment and the budget will look after itself’
Re: “PBO projects ‘sluggish’ economic growth this year, with $11.5-billion increase in budgetary deficit in 2023-24,” (The Hill Times, March 7, by Mike Lapointe). For many economists, the current unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent is considered low. Unfortunately, this level translates to more than a million Canadians actively seeking work who are not earning […]
It’s difficult to ‘follow the money’: former MPs, bureaucrats, and PBOs say budget and estimates process makes it tough for Parliament to hold government spending to account
As the government prepares to table its budget in April, individual MPs and Senators have ‘very little influence’ on spending, says Parliamentary Budget Office Yves Giroux.
Fighting inflation can’t be left to central banks alone
Governments need to do more to support lasting affordability for housing, food, and energy.
Investing in sport is a winning play
A functioning, healthy sport system is more important than ever in a time when the deliberate division of people and communities is far too common.
Main estimates asks jump 3.8 per cent to reach $449.2-billion in budgetary spending
Comparing the 2023-24 and 2024-25 main estimates, The Hill Times identified 30 departments and agencies for which spending authorizations will change by $100-million or more.
PBO projects ‘sluggish’ economic growth this year, with $11.5-billion increase in budgetary deficit in 2023-24
Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page says some observers are concerned about the loss of ‘fiscal room’ because of debt generated during the pandemic.
Minister Freeland should take a walk in beer industry workers’ shoes
The finance minister should cancel the largest beer tax increase in 40 years, and at the same time, preserve Canadian jobs and support middle-class families.
Feds look for $13.2-billion boost to budgetary spending to wrap up 2023-24
Roughly $8.9-billion of the additional spending authorities being sought through the most recent supplementary estimates for 2023-24 will be voted on by Parliament.
Paying the price for a false promise of prosperity
The supply-side neoliberal economic thinking favoured by the likes of Brian Mulroney, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher is driving today’s shifting political winds towards left-wing populism.
