Atlantic gateway study out Friday
As Ottawa prepares to announce funding for the Atlantic Gateway, there is some concerns being expressed. AIMS acting president Charles Cirtwill notes that a successful Atlantic Gateway will result from good marketing and key infrastructure improvements, not from politically motivated pork-barrel spending.
To be or not to be
Are workers’ rights in Canada being violated by forced membership in labour unions? With Swedish human rights lawyer Jan Södergren
Liberals will pay the price for raising taxes, posting $260-M surplus — taxpayers’ rep.
The Liberal government in New Brunswick recently announced a better than expected surplus. This comes after the government increased taxes for 2007-08. Charles Cirtwill, AIMS acting president, says that while surpluses are positive, they should trigger tax cuts and not increased spending.
AIMS report hits principal target
In his column for the Chronicle-Herald Alex Roberts agrees with AIMS' study "Getting the fox out of the schoolhouse" that principals should be removed from the collective bargaining unit.
Historical Atlantica
This paper by Carleton University and UPEI economics professor Robin Neill takes a look back at Atlantica and points out that it is anything but a new concept. He suggests that the region's history should guide policy, and government should step aside. He says government could act as facilitator by providing the infrastructure to allow Atlantica to thrive.
Factor in fees if you shop in U.S.
With the Canadian dollar reaching parity with the American dollar a lot of Canadians are heading south to shop. However, Charles Cirtwill, AIMS acting president, explains that once duty fees and taxes are taken into account, shopping in the U.S. may not be worth the trip.
Failed education reform: don’t blame the unions
AIMS' paper, "Getting the fox out of the schoolhouse" has generated a lot of debate across the country. In this opinion piece for the National Post Charles Cirtwill, AIMS acting president, and two of the report's co-authors argue that much of the blame for the state of education rests on our heads. Unions are responsible to their members; we are responsible as parents and citizens to represent the interests of our children. Unfortunately, we have long allowed unions to drive the education agenda and take control of the education system.
Buy local, ’til it hurts
Charles Cirtwill, AIMS’ acting President, examines the recent drive to encourage Nova Scotians to buy more local food. In his fortnightly column in the Chronicle-Herald he argues that a food supply plan that relies predominantly on local producers will limit consumer choice, raise costs and inhibit the industry's ability to grow. He goes on to say that Nova Scotia should take a lesson from its neighbours, forego protectionist instinct and try to expand into newer and larger markets, such as the North American organic food market.
U.S. lobby group slams drug trade with Canada
AIMS' recent report, "Drug Re-Importation in North America and Europe: An Overview" is getting noticed on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. The report, written by Brian Ferguson, AIMS Fellow in Health Care Economics, elicited the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America to issue a statement warning Americans that foreign drugs aren't safe. AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro goes on to note that such plans may have an impact on the drug supply in Canada and cause shortages.
Drug Re-Importation in North America and Europe
The United States cannot solve its "Medicare donut hole" through Canada’s back door. That’s the conclusion of this health care paper by Brian Ferguson, AIMS Fellow in Health Care Economics and a professor of Economics at the University of Guelph. The paper points out that as Americans head into an election year, drug re-importation will likely become an issue, particularly with several states actively promoting the re-importation of prescription drugs from Canada as a method to control Medicare costs.