Reviving and Revising the Canada First Defense Strategy
AIMS research fellow Jeff Collins outlines the argument in favor of reviving and revising the Canada First Defense Strategy in this commentary published by the C2C Journal.
No-zero Policies Just As Misguided As Ever
AIMS Fellow in Education Policy Michael Zwaagstra discusses the ineffectiveness of no-zero policies in Newfoundland and Labrador's education system in this opinion piece published by the Telegram.
Building a Better Bus System
Paul Bennett and Derek Gillis, authors of the newly released AIMS policy study "Education on Wheels," discuss the findings of that paper in an opinion piece published by the Telegraph Journal.
Education on Wheels: Seizing Cost and Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Student Transportation
Paul Bennett of Schoolhouse Consulting and Derek Gillis, an independent research consultant, argue that public transportation costs are too high in the Atlantic region and outline the many ways in which provincial governments can reduce them.
MEDIA RELEASE: Student Transportation Costs Straining Education Budgets
Halifax, NS (13 January 2015): A new AIMS research report, “Education on Wheels,” shows that student transportation costs are rising steadily across Maritime Canada, even as student enrolment declines, and that provincial governments in the region are missing opportunities to achieve cost and energy efficiencies. The authors, Paul W. Bennett and Derek M. Gillis, demonstrate [...]
Free Tuition No Magic Bullet
AIMS research associate Jeff Collins and Director of Research Ben Eisen discuss the flaws of "free tuition" and argue that there is little evidence to support calls for it.
These Provinces Can Expect More Unemployment, Less Investment, and Lower Income
AIMS Director of Research Ben Eisen and Fraser Institute Senior Fellow Mark Milke discuss their new paper "Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Equalization Policy Crutch" and argue that evidence from across North America indicates that natural resource development is an important driver of economic growth.
Eisen on the Maritimes, Equalization, and Natural Resource Development
AIMS Director of Research Ben Eisen discusses a paper he coauthored with Mark Milke of the Fraser Institute, wherein they argue that Canada's equalization formula discourages natural resource development.
Money Does Buy Happiness, Lots of It
AIMS Senior Fellow Robert Roach argues that money does, indeed, buy happiness: "It may not be intentional, but the mantra that money does not buy happiness implies that being poor may not be such a bad thing, and that efforts to raise incomes are misguided."
The Downside of Equalization
Equalization in Canada means that Saskatchewan, a "have" province, is sending money to "have-not" provinces like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Those two provinces have raked in more than $27 billion in equalization since 2005. And it's those payments, according to the Fraser Institute and the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, which discourage those provinces from developing their natural resources. Ben Eisen, director of research and programs at AIMS says equalization makes it easier for the two eastern provinces to forgo natural resource development that would help spur economic growth. At the same time, Saskatchewan is developing natural resources here and sending some of that revenue to places like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Eisen says if governments there want to help create jobs at home, raise income for workers, and increase tax revenues, they should pursue policies that do not harmfully restrict resource development.