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Part One: Taxes too high? Equalization may be why: AIMS paper
Equalization, although noble in intent, actually creates incentives for less-developed provinces to raise taxes and overtax their citizens. AIMS latest report “Taxing Incentives: How equalization distorts tax policy in recipient provinces” thoroughly examines and compares the burden of various taxes of both recipient and non-recipient provinces. The striking empirical evidence illustrates not only that equalization encourages poorer provinces to keep taxes on their population too high, but also that the bigger the province the stronger the incentive to do so.
Of particular interest is the fact that the highest tax rates in recipient provinces tend to be on personal income and, to a slightly lesser extent, taxes on consumption. In other words, the perverse effects seem to be showing themselves most strongly via taxes on people.
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Part Two: AIMS prescribes “Better Medicine”
Better Medicine: Reforming Canada’s Health Care is a brilliant collaboration of essays by some of Canada’s leading authorities in health care policy. Introduced and edited by Dr. David Gratzer, author of the award winning book “Code Blue”, and co-sponsored by AIMS, Better Medicine features academics, journalists, policy analysts, and physicians as they examine and analyse the past, present, and future outlook of Canada’s health care system. In addition to AIMS’ sponsorship role, Better Medicine includes an edited version of the Institute’s influential paper “Public Health, State Secret” by David Zitner, AIMS Fellow in Health Care Policy, and Brian Lee Crowley, AIMS President.
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Part Three: Waiting for Voisey’s Bay: Six Years Was Too Long
After six long hard years of negotiation a deal has been struck that will see the nickel ore deposits at Voisey’s Bay begin to be mined. In looking at the deal, Peter Fenwick, AIMS’ voice on Newfoundland & Labrador, asks why a similar deal was not concluded a long time ago. Most of the terms included in the final deal have been on the table for some time and the public has given a rousing endorsement to the terms reached between Inco, the provincial government and the Innu and Inuit people.
Gauging the damage done to the Newfoundland mining industry by these negotiations is difficult. What exploration programs were cancelled, and what promising finds not developed, is impossible to say. So, in Fenwick’s eyes, in the long run the fact the deal was done at all is as important as the details of the agreement itself. A province with abundant natural resources, 16% unemployment and a continuing exodus of its population cannot afford to be the pariah of mining investment in Canada. Whether the fact that Voisey’s Bay will now go ahead is sufficient to entice other prospectors and mine operators back to Newfoundland and Labrador remains to be seen.
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Part Four: AIMS releases special publication on Equalization
“Ideas Matter” is a special publication, released by AIMS in collaboration with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy and the Montreal Economic Institute, providing a summary of our Sir Antony Fisher Award winning Equalization Initiative. It features the work of some of today’s top experts on equalization including renowned father of equalization and Nobel Laureate James M. Buchanan. The innovative ideas created through the works of the three Institutes, outlining the negative effects of equalization, have sparked a national debate and garnered supportive reactions from top opinion leaders including former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna, and former federal Finance Minister Paul Martin.
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Part Five: Protesters or G-7 countries: Who’s right?
The anti-globalization protesters that were recently on the streets of Halifax were having a marvellous time. They weren’t just there for fun however, but to show their heart-felt support for a global movement that sees continued integration of the world’s economic activity as being inimical to justice and, in particular, sees globalization as a front for vicious exploitation of the peoples of the Third World. Are they right? In his regular column, AIMS’ President Brian Lee Crowley reviews the status of Third World countries that follow the prescriptions of the anti-globalization protesters and shows a more appropriate slogan for those truly wishing to help them should be “More Trade, Less Aid”.
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Part Six: AIMS seeks Operations Assistant
The Operations Assistant is a member of AIMS’ support staff and has responsibility in two key areas: Development and Communications support and Financial Systems support. The successful candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years experience in an office environment with a complete knowledge of office procedures, including excellent business communication skills, both written and verbal and will possess a high level of interpersonal, organizational and problem solving skills. The selected candidate will have proven PC skills, with emphasis on proficiency in Excel, Simply Accounting, Word and e-mail/internet and a working knowledge of Access and Maximizer. The position works closely with AIMS’ Manager of Special Projects, and reports to the Director of Operations. The job opening is located at the Institute’s head office in Halifax.
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