In his fortnightly column, AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill dispels some of the baseless fears that pop-up whenever the government even suggests partnering with private industry. He notes that so-called P3s allow the government to tackle projects it wouldn't otherwise be able to contemplate without raising taxes or cutting jobs.
The New Brunswick government has said it may raise the provincial portion of the HST in order to offset the federal reduction planned for the new year. AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill points out that such a move contradicts the government's drive for self-sufficiency.
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.
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.
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.
The Moncton Times & Transcript called on AIMS for comment on the high-flying loonie. Ian Munro, Director of Research, pointed out that a rising Canadian dollar does present challenges for exporters, but also makes Canadian consumers richer and provides a golden opportunity for Canadian firms to invest in capital and boost productivity for the long term.
Nova Scotia has been actively engaged in public-private partnerships (P3s) for a number of years now. While some of the projects have functioned smoothly with little public opposition, others have generated controversy. Charles Cirtwill, AIMS acting president, notes that even P3s that elicited a public outcry managed to accomplish things that the govenrnment wouldn't have been able to do alone.
As the federal finance minister was announcing tax cuts, reporters were turning to AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill to explain the impact. He says the plan to cut taxes by $60 billion over the next five years will help small and medium sized businesses, and the low corporate tax rate can lead to a competitive advantage globally.
In the lead up to the proposed cut to the GST, a Globe & Mail survey showed that Canada’s top economists disagreed with the cut. Among the 20 economists surveyed was Ian Munro, AIMS Director of Research. He argued that the federal government’s giant surplus would be better spent by reducing the source of the surplus – personal income taxes and taxes on business.
As New Brunswick explores the possibility of starting a number of mega-projects some local firms are looking for the government to institute an industrial benefits program. Such a program would see local companies given preference in contracts. AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill says such polices are folly and inevitably lead to higher costs and fewer projects.