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 – [...]
On May 11, 2016, AIMS President Marco Navarro-Génie testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, in a hearing about internal trade within Canada. In his statement, he recommended that the federal government encourage open borders, and that the Atlantic Province join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. “It is proposed that they [...]
Elected officials mean well when they lobby to reduce class sizes. But the evidence doesn't support their efforts. Education research shows that having fewer students in a class has little influence on learning. A far more important metric is the quality of the instruction. Classrooms of 30 children with a great teacher are [...]
Atlantic Canada competes with New England for business, which is influenced by tax rates. Let’s look at the differences. Vermont prides itself on social programs like we do, but taxes much less. Its low-income earners pay just 3.6 percent on taxable income, compared with our best rate in Newfoundland, over twice as much. [...]
In his Telegraph-Journal column, AIMS Vice-President of Research John Williamson criticizes the New Brunswick government for its takeover of the Naval Centre is Bas-Caraquet, which he characterizes as taking on "a sinking ship." This is not a needed infrastructure plan, but a $38-million Fredericton bailout that is destined to fail. Read this article on the [...]
In Halifax's Chronicle Herald, AIMS President & CEO Marco Navarro-Génie argues that governments often sit around waiting for a big "silver bullet" to come and save their economies. With reference to the forthcoming Nova Scotia budget, government should focus on smaller but incremental ways to improve competitiveness and market certainty. Read the full piece in [...]
Customs today reports on AIMS' study, "I'll Take New England Any Day!", authored by Mark Milke. The study compares tax regimes in Atlantic Canada with those in New England, our region's closest geographic competitor, with an eye to improving the Atlantic business environment.. You can read the full study here. A new report is calling [...]
Halifax, NS – The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) today released a report about the differences in major tax rates in Atlantic Canada and New England – our nearest regional competitor – that have an impact on take-home pay, investment, and job creation.
This tax report is authored by Mark Milke, PhD. He analyzes the differences in major tax rates between Atlantic Canada and its nearest regional competitor — the New England states — for investment, jobs, and tax revenues. In general, these six U.S. states have a significant tax advantage on most measurements. As a "road map" [...]
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Associated Press) -- As most Americans brace themselves for losing an hour of sleep this weekend, some corners of the country are considering bold alternatives to daylight saving time. California has a bill that would ask voters to abolish the practice of changing clocks twice a year. Lawmakers in Alaska and nearly a [...]