Voting on a package to boost salaries a conflict
Whether acting on independent advice or not, AIMS executive vice president Charles Cirtwill says politicians voting on their own pay raises is a conflict of interest.
765K set for MLA pay hikes
MLAs in New Brunswick are set to vote on a pay increase for themselves. AIMS executive vice president Charles Cirtwill suggests a more transparent process where raises are effective only after the next provincial election.
MLAs stand to profit from ‘unseemly’ vote – CEO
New Brunswick MLAs are expected to vote this year on their own pay raise. AIMS executive vice president Charles Cirtwill suggests any pay raise for MLAs should only be effective after the next provincial election.
It’s pay raise time
AIMS executive vice president Charles Cirtwill questions whether MLAs should vote on their own pay raises.
List of writeoffs names ACOA clients
AIMS has written extensively about ACOA over the years, so when Canadian Press reporter Michael Tutton was looking for comment on the latest report from the federal agency, he turned to Director of Research Ian Munro for insight.
Taxes can be cut
As New Brunswick prepares to review its tax structure, the Times & Transcript turned to policy experts for some taxation advice. AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro makes some suggestions including a property tax system that is based on the services received and not the value of your property.
N.B. walks fine debt line
In this front page story, AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro explains that in good times governments, just like families, should be paying off their debt.
Tuition freeze not enough: students
In this pre-budget story, AIMS acting president Charles Cirtwill points out that a tuition freeze is not the way to help post-secondary students. He says the New Brunswick government is following a trend that hasn't proven very efficient rather than forging ahead with innovative policies to address student debt, population growth, and access to a university education.
Government bails out pensions
In this front page story, AIMS acting president Charles Cirtwill points out that any plan by the New Brunswick government to bail out a private pension fund for nursing home workers sets a bad precedent.
Fixing the Roof with Crumpled Twenties
In this op/ed in the Chronicle-Herald, AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro argues that relying on windfall revenues is the wrong way for governments to fund the maintenance and replacement of key infrastructure like bridges, roads, and sewers. Ensuring the safety and quality of infrastructure should indeed be a high priority, says Munro, but the process of choosing high priorities for funding also entails determining which lower priorities should see funding reductions.