Switzerland has nearly 65% more doctors and much shorter wait times than Canada, despite spending roughly same amount on health care

Building Responsive and Adaptive Health-Care Systems in Canada: Lessons from Switzerland is a new study that finds despite Canada and Switzerland spending roughly the same amount on health care, Switzerland had 64.3 per cent more doctors than Canada, with 94 per cent of Swiss patients report being satisfied with their health-care system compared to just 56 per cent in Canada.

Moving to single 8% provincial personal income tax rate would help restore the Alberta Advantage

Revenue Effects of Tax Rate Changes in Alberta finds moving to a single eight per cent personal income tax rate could help restore Alberta’s tax competitiveness. The province’s current combined federal and provincial rate is 48 per cent, the 10th highest among 61 jurisdictions in North America. A flat eight per cent rate would lower Alberta’s ranking to 16th lowest, putting it more in line with energy-producing regions such as Texas and Wyoming.

Clearly defined property rights for Indigenous Peoples supportive of economic development would help get large infrastructure projects built in Canada

Property Rights, Transaction Costs and Indigenous Participation in Major Projects: A Double Dose of Coase is a new study that explains how clearly defined property rights can improve Indigenous participation in major natural resource and energy projects, speeding up their approval, and increasing economic activity and wealth creation for Indigenous Peoples and for Canada.

Commentary and Blog Posts

Federal government’s ‘affordable housing’ strategy doomed without strong income growth

(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Jake Fuss and Austin Thompson

Home prices have risen dramatically due largely to immigration-fuelled population growth.

Carney government’s throne speech—different delivery, same old approach to policy

by Jake Fuss and Grady Munro

More ambitious and broad-based reforms and tax cuts are needed to make a meaningful impact on growth.

EV fantasy losing charge on taxpayer time

(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Kenneth P. Green

General Motors will soon close the CAMI electric van assembly plant in Ontario.

Federal government’s ‘very different approach’ will further erode Ottawa’s finances

(Appeared in the Ottawa Sun) by Jake Fuss and Grady Munro

Over 10 years, Canada’s gross government debt increased from 85.5 per cent (as a share of GDP) to 110.8 per cent.

Ontario government should shorten teacher education programs

(Appeared in the Epoch Times) by Michael Zwaagstra

Like other provinces, Ontario doesn’t have enough teachers to fill every classroom.

Provincial pension plan may mean big savings for Albertans

(Appeared in the Calgary Sun) by Tegan Hill

From 1981 to 2022, the province's net contribution to the CPP was $53.6 billion.

Governments in B.C. must spur homebuilding amid population explosion

(Appeared in Business in Vancouver) by Tegan Hill and Austin Thompson

In 2023, the province added a record-high 185,360 new residents followed by 125,633 in 2024.

Ottawa’s mixed signals create more uncertainty in energy sector

by Julio Mejía and Elmira Aliakbari

Dependence on the U.S. for energy exports has made Canadian energy producers vulnerable to U.S policy changes.

Carney government’s proposed tax cut misses the mark—twice

by Jake Fuss, and Grady Munro

The narrow scope of the proposed tax cut limits its effectiveness at improving incentives.

Ontario government will spend more—for less housing

(Appeared in the Toronto Star) by Jake Fuss and Austin Thompson

Ottawa’s supercharged immigration targets have created many more potential homebuyers and renters, driving up costs.

Atlantic provinces should focus on growth—despite Carney’s transfer policies

by Alex Whalen

Nova Scotia’s recent policy shift to emphasize natural resource development is a good start.

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