High Homeowner Property Taxes in Atlantic Canada, the latest study from the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, found that of the four Atlantic provinces, the rate increased significantly faster in New Brunswick when measured against increases in the Consumer Price Index. Residents of New Brunswick are also paying more of their household expenses for [...]
MEDIA Radio Clip: Responsible Conservation AND Sound Economic Development? Nova Scotia leads the country in preserving natural habitat for future generations with more land in parks and protected areas than any other province or territory. The challenge in finding the balance between responsible conservation and sound economic development [...]
Paul Bennett proposes a new approach to public education in the province to create a more effective, accountable, and responsive school system. His latest study from the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies suggests school-based management that would reduce governance to two levels: the department and the school. This would eliminate school boards while addressing [...]
A Valuation and Analysis of Atlantic Canadian Liquor Monopolies by Ian Madsen and Alex Whalen details the myriad problems with monopolies, places a value on our liquor corporations, and explores options for the future. “The study reveals that Atlantic Canadians pay higher than average prices for alcohol” said Whalen, adding, “the valuations demonstrate the [...]
From tax to security: an alternative to Employment Insurance – by Justin Hatherly proposes an alternative to the current employment insurance system that would discourage dependence on seasonal work, promote productivity and labour mobility, and end a practice that has damaged Atlantic Canada. Hatherly says that the Chilean system gives people a greater incentive to [...]
What’s Still Missing from Your Wallet by Marco Navarro- Génie is an analysis that returns to a previous study done in 2009, in which the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies examined the adverse effects of gasoline price regulation in Atlantic Canada. Just as What’s Missing from Your Wallet proved, this current study demonstrates how [...]
Legislating further increases to the minimum wage would likely worsen youth unemployment in Atlantic Canada. Evidence shows that minimum wages price low-skilled persons out of work and reduce the opportunity for training and experience among young people. Given these effects, raising the wage floor is bad policy. New research published by the Atlantic Institute for [...]
All Canadian provinces face mounting health expenditures, owing in part to the cost of tobacco smoking. Yet, tobacco sold on First Nations reserves is not subject to taxes, unlike off-reserve purchases. Even though exemptions are not enshrined in the constitution or in any treaty with aboriginals, they are a loophole in the tax system. According [...]
Sketch: Arrival of Radisson in an Indian camp, 1660. The Benefits of Trade examines the economic argument for free trade, with an emphasis on the importance of trade for Canadian provinces. The author discusses international, interprovincial, and local trading relationships, explaining the benefits of free exchange for all three types. He argues [...]
Household Savings in Atlantic Canada, 1981-2015 discusses a low rate of household savings by Maritimers. While New Brunswick has an improved savings rate from the previous decade (following a modest upturn throughout Canada), Prince Edward Island’s household savings have remained constant. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia’s have worsened, with an average annual savings deficit of over [...]