The Myth of Expansionary Austerity
As the US and Europe turn from stimulus to fiscal austerity, claims are heard that spending cuts actually stimulate economic growth. That is the argument heard, not just from the…
fiscal policy
Still Progressive and family friendly: evaluating Québec’s income tax policy
University of Sherbrooke economist and fiscal specialist Luc Godbout with Suzie St-Cerny and Michaël Robert-Angers has just published a timely research paper evaluating the net fiscal impact on households of…
Strengthening the Treasury
Consider the simple reality. The current provincial administration has more money – without considering federal transfers – than any other government in the province’s history. Most of the government’s money…
GDP Report: Awfully Weak Tea Leaves
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was unusually blunt on CTV’s Question Period yesterday, saying he was worried about the possibility of another recession. (Finance Ministers are usually very cautious about using…
A few words about monetary policy
Liberal policy meant severe cuts to social program spending at the provincial level and massive provincial deficits to maintain programs, or punitive cuts. Also, liberals introduced us to bracket-creep tax…
False Consciousness, Part I: On Elections and the Middle Class
The following appeared in the National Post today. We’re in the last week of a federal election campaign, and every party wants you to believe they’re there for the hardworking…