AIMS research fellow Joseph Quesnel discusses the compliance of Atlantic First Nations with the federal First Nations Financial Transparency Act. He argues that their leadership constitutes "a win-win for all Canadians, but transparency and accountability mostly benefits First Nations communities by ensuring revenues are wisely spent to help band members." This article appeared in the [...]
The Beacon - June 4, 2016 | Vol XXII, No. 13 Atlantic Provinces Should Join the New West Partnership By Marco Navarro-Génie President & CEO Governments in Atlantic Canada have a vital political task: to break down all barriers, overcome all obstacles, and invalidate all irritants to interprovincial exchange. To this end, a regional free trade agreement is [...]
Vice President of Research John Williamson writes that bad economic policies in New Brunswick gives one the impression that its government has stopped trying to reverse the province's woes. Banning hydraulic fracking, maintaining protectionist measures on alcohol, and inadequate education are mixing with outmigration to produce an economic death spiral. This article appeared in the [...]
Jackson Doughart writes that P.E.I.'s HST increase is a poorly-conceived policy, largely because greater consumption taxes are not being adequately offset by income tax reductions across the board. Instead of taking more from Islanders' pockets, P.E.I.'s government needs to focus on prioritizing needs and cutting spending to prevent tax hikes. This article appeared in the [...]
In Saint John's Telegraph-Journal, AIMS Fellow in Education Michael Zwaagstra argues against the temptation to lower class sizes as a solution to underperforming schools. Rather, governments in charge of public schools need to focus on ameliorating the quality of the instruction, which is shown to be a more effective measure. Read the full article on [...]
The Beacon - June 4, 2016 | Vol XXII, No. 12 The Healthcare Financial Crunch For a service as important as healthcare, it is vital that our public policies distinguish between sound, evidence-based solutions and mere fads. And where problems exist, we must find and respond to their true cause. Health policy has been on our [...]
Atlantic Canada is in a financial squeeze. With our ageing population, healthcare costs are rising. But these circumstances aren't created by neglect from the federal government, as Ottawa’s health transfers to our region are at record highs. Rather, our poor economic policies – like high taxes and banning onshore shale gas development – [...]
In the Telegraph-Journal, AIMS Vice President of Research John Williamson argues that the fault for Atlantic Canada’s financial squeeze in healthcare lies more with our economic policies than with Ottawa’s funding formulas. When a young worker moves West, his federal health subsidy goes with him, rather than staying here. Read the full article on the [...]
In Halifax's Chronicle Herald, AIMS President & CEO Marco Navarro-Génie argues that each of the four Atlantic Provinces should seek entry into the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, creating "a virtual agreement between Atlantic Provinces, adding new markets and a common trade policy with three dynamic co-members of the federation." Read the full piece on [...]
Sinclair Davidson Halifax Speaking Event Sponsored by AIMS, Professor Sinclair Davidson will visit Halifax at noon on Monday, May 30, to speak on the impact of plain packaging in Australia and lessons that could be learned for other jurisdictions, including Canada. This will be followed by a question and answer session. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP [...]