Canadian Regional Subsidies: Killing the Golden Goose and Weakening Canada
AIMS Senior Fellow in Fairness in Confederation; the Ontario Perspective David MacKinnon explains why equalization is anything but equal.
Let’s speed up highway rebuild
When dissecting the details of the $634-million federal infrastructure announcement the Cape Breton Post turned to AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill. The result is this editorial, in which Cirtwill points out that the federal government is re-using some of its past promises.
Recycling Money
Comments by AIMS once again sparked debate and led to this editorial in the Halifax Daily News. AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill noted that many of the federal government's recent infrastructure promises have been delivered to Nova Scotia before.
Tories re-wrapping old gifts: AIMS
The federal government plans to invest $634-million in Nova Scotia's infrastructure. AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill welcomes the investment in infrastructure, but questions whether government-to-government transfers is the most effective way to fund such projects.
N.B. could benefit from offshore deal – pundit
Now that Nova Scotia has made peace with the federal government over the Atlantic Accord some pundits are calling for other provinces to negotiate their own deals. However, Charles Cirtwill, AIMS acting president, notes that the federal government was obliged to honour a previous agreement and that provinces without that deal have little leverage.
The Beacon, 13 September 2007
This edition of The Beacon focuses on two of the most important policy issue in Canada: education and health care. You will also find information on an upcoming AIMS event and an opinion piece requested from AIMS by the Globe & Mail.
Don’t count your have-nots until they hatch
There’s no doubt it’s great news for Newfoundland and Labrador, finally a deal to develop the Hebron Ben Nevis offshore oil field. The project had been put on hold by the operators over a dispute with the province about royalty and ownership issues. However, in this opinion piece, requested by the Globe and Mail, AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill examines the flaws in equalization revealed by the Hebron deal. Is it a case of having your cake and eating it too? Cirtwill stresses that while it’s an excellent deal for Newfoundland & Labrador, it was based mostly on circumstances and timing and other provinces should not expect similar deals.
Friends or foes: What’s better for N.B.?
It seems New Brunswick is the only Atlantic province not fighting with Ottawa these days, but then maybe Premier Shawn Graham hasn't had any reason to. In this newspaper article, AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill cautions that a cozy relationship with Stephen Harper doesn't guarantee there won't be future conflict.
Bureaucratic Bloat: New Brunswick’s civil service ranks as one of the largest per capita in Canada
This article in New Brunswick's Telegraph-Journal mirrors research conducted by AIMS. The civil service in Atlantic Canada is too large. The Telegraph-Journal turned to AIMS for an explanation of the extra weight such a bloated bureaucracy places on our economy.
Have we fostered a dependency habit?
This columnist in The Guardian on PEI, directs Premier Ghiz to the AIMS website and an AIMS policy briefing with David MacKinnon on Equalization.