Taxpayers aren’t unlimited pools of cash In a rare show of unity, members of Parliament from all parties are angrily demanding answers about sky-high expenses racked up by Governor General Mary Simon and her team. Curiously, Rideau Hall’s rebuttal is essentially that the expenses are “not very extravagant.” [Emphasis added]. MPs haven’t bought that line since the
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Powerful Government Unions Weaken The Economy
on August 16th, 2018
While the U.S. is curtailing the strength of such unions, Canadian government finances are stretched by the cost of public-sector workers American taxpayers and workers won a big victory recently, with the United States Supreme Court ruling 5-4 in Janus versus American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that government employees not part
How Much Money Does a B.C. Political Party Really Need?
on September 21st, 2017
The headlines should have read “B.C.’s Wild West reputation laid to rest.” Instead, British Columbians woke up to “Taxpayers would give millions to political parties in NDP plan,” all thanks to an ill-advised decision to slide two unexpected provisions into the government’s campaign finance reform package: a transitional allowance for political parties – otherwise known
The Folly of Protectionism
on July 2nd, 2015
Free trade creates many more jobs than it ever kills Years ago when I lived in Victoria, British Columbia and manned a small office, a salesman wandered in and tried to sell me his particular photocopier. He noted my current machine was Japanese but his was Canadian. So obviously, I should support Canadian jobs and
Canada’s $500-million Drug Problem
on May 26th, 2015
Piecemeal drug insurance coverage costs cities – and taxpayers – plenty Canada’s cities face a number of problems, including traffic congestion, housing costs, crime rates and shabby infrastructure. Now prescription drugs can be added to the list; it is a problem that is costing local governments as much as $500 million every year. Recognizing that
Income Splitting Not The Best Economic Bang For The Buck
on October 31st, 2014
The government missed an opportunity to enact tax reform that lays the foundation for stronger economic growth After seven consecutive years of budget deficits, the federal government is finally set to balance the budget. While the government has long expressed that tax relief is its top post-deficit priority, the major question has always been: what
Politicians’ pension plans aren’t the only problem
on May 21st, 2012
Politicians are part of a much larger public sector and the debate should always focus on what governments should or should not do (and from which the size of the public sector then flows); what is affordable for taxpayers; and private and public sector comparisons.
Don’t Expect Trudeau to Slash Spending Anytime Soon, if Ever
Ministers tasked with finding $15B in ‘savings’, but only so the money can be spent on other pet projects Cutting back on Big Macs so you can spend more on beef Wellingtons isn’t saving money. Taxpayers want to be optimistic as Treasury Board President Anita Anand orders ministers to find $15 billion in savings.