HST hike part of troubling policy trend
AIMS policy analyst Jackson Doughart writes in his recent column that HST hikes in Atlantic Canada are a part of a troubling trend. The Atlantic Provinces will soon have the highest HST in the country as PEI, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador are all raising rates this year. Three Atlantic Provinces will have the country’s highest HST rate [...]
Good tax policy will fuel economic growth
In his latest column, AIMS VP Research John Williamson looks at New Brunswick's economic position. He argues the answer to the province's economic woes is not to hire more in-house government "experts". Rather, good tax policy is what matters and evidence is available from successful economies in Canada and beyond. This article originally appeared in the Telegraph-Journal. New Brunswick [...]
Radio: Natural Gas Prices
Natural gas has great promise as a fuel source. It is cleaner, more efficient, and cheaper than petroleum. But despite more businesses making the switch, costs in Atlantic Canada have risen. Local prices are higher than in Western Canada, sometimes substantially so. Part of the reason is our region’s dependence on imported natural gas. With its untapped reserves, [...]
Radio: Declining School Enrollment
In Atlantic Canada, school enrollment has dropped 19 percent since the year 2000. These are worrying numbers. The next generation’s base of labour and taxes is shrinking. Families are moving west to seek better opportunities. Natural birthrates decline. Greater healthcare costs dominate public funds. Meanwhile, our education system is under-performing. The upcoming generation must be well-prepared for the [...]
Radio: Rising HST Rates
New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Newfoundland & Labrador are raising their HST rates. They join Nova Scotia at 15 percent, the highest level in the country. These hikes mean that Atlantic Canadians will pay more for almost everything they buy. Prices will rise at hotels and restaurants. Motorists will be hit especially hard, as they already contend with gasoline [...]
Junk Science Week: Sugar’s not making us fatter … but the decline of smoking is
In his Financial Post column, AIMS Fellow Patrick Luciani examines the scientific literature on sugar, suggesting that it may not be the singular culprit for obesity that some fad diet believe it to be. In fact, the greatest single fault for gain in weight appears to be declining smoking rates. Read the full piece on the Financial Post website. The [...]