Equalization

The AIMS special Commentary Series on Equalization prompted editorials and columns across Canada. Alan Holman, a columnist with The Guardian, was prompted to write this column after reading that not only are there more civil servants per capita in equalization receiving provinces, but they are paid considerable more than the provincial average.

This editorial in the national edition of The Globe and Mail, reviews the first two papers in AIMS' special Equalization Commentary Series. It accepts the research saying Canada is over-equalizing, and concludes - "Enough already!"

In his regular Globe and Mail column on 4 July 2006, John Ibbitson turned his attention to a pending national labour shortage. He pointed out governments need to wake up and used AIMS Special Commentary Series on Equalization to show governments actually encourage workers to be unproductive.

Equalization in Canada is supposed to ensure people across the country have access to reasonably comparable public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation. This special Commentary Series goes beyond the dollar and cents to the actual public services.

In his column in the National Post, Lorne Gunter uses AIMS special Equalization Commentary Series to support his arguement that equalization needs to be scaled back, not increased as has been proposed.

AIMS special Equalization Commentary Series attracted the attention of Nigel Hannaford, a member of The Calgary Herald editorial board. In his regular weekend column, he takes a closer look at the Equalization numbers.