Government Spending

Global Aftermath: The Economic and Fiscal Effects of COVID in Canada and the World

— May 11, 2023

Global Aftermath: The Economic and Fiscal Effects of COVID in Canada and the World finds that during the pandemic, despite high levels of government spending and debt accumulation, Canada’s economy underperformed compared to most other advanced countries.

How Provincial Governments Respond to Fiscal Shocks and Federal Transfers

— May 2, 2023

How Provincial Governments Respond to Fiscal Shocks and Federal Transfers is a new study that finds despite misperceptions that government deficits have no cost, higher deficit-financed spending by provincial governments over the past 50 years has, in fact, led to higher taxes and higher debt-servicing costs for taxpayers.

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Canada, 2023 Edition

— Apr 18, 2023

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Canada, 2023 Edition, finds that government employees across Canada—including federal, provincial and municipal workers—were paid 8.5 per cent higher wages, on average, than workers in the private sector in 2021, the most recent year of available comparable data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey.

Canada’s Fiscal Policy Has Undermined Efforts to Tackle Inflation

— Apr 6, 2023

Canada’s Fiscal Policy Has Undermined Efforts to Tackle Inflation finds that the federal government’s decision to increase already high levels of spending and continued budget deficits will hinder the Bank of Canada’s efforts to tame inflation.

Nova Scotia Premiers and Provincial Government Spending

— Mar 21, 2023

Nova Scotia Premiers and Provincial Government Spending is a new study that reviews annual per-person program spending (inflation-adjusted) by Nova Scotia premiers from 1965 to 2021, finding that the highest single year of per-person spending on record was under Premier Robert Stanfield.

New Brunswick Premiers and Provincial Government Spending

— Mar 21, 2023

New Brunswick Premiers and Provincial Government Spending is a new study that reviews annual per-person program spending (inflation-adjusted) by New Brunswick premiers from 1965 to 2021, finding that the highest single year of per-person spending on record was under Premier Louis Robichaud, with a 17.3 per cent average annual change in per person spending.

Recent Government Spending Commentaries and Blog Posts

Federal government estimates don’t reflect true costs of national pharmacare

Grady Munro, Mackenzie Moir

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, May 30, 2024

The expected costs of national pharmacare have already increased by approximately $400 million.

Governments in Canada accelerate EV ‘investments’ as automakers reverse course

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, May 15, 2024

According to the mandate, all new passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in Canada must be zero-emission by 2035.

Electric vehicle mandates mean misery all around

Matthew Lau

Appeared in the National Post, May 10, 2024

It now takes 55 days to sell an electric vehicle in Canada, up from 22 days in the first quarter of 2023.

Let’s be clear—the Alberta government’s fiscal problems aren’t over

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, May 8, 2024

In 2023/24, debt interest payments will cost a projected $3.4 billion, equal to $691 per Albertan.

Trudeau and Ford should attach personal fortunes to EV corporate welfare

Jason Clemens, Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, May 5, 2024

Several automakers including Toyota and Ford have scaled back their EV production plans.

Misleading polls may produce more damaging federal policies

Jason Clemens, Jake Fuss

Support for pharmacare drops from 79 per cent to 40 per cent when the question includes a GST hike.

Today’s federal government—massive spending growth and epic betting

Jock Finlayson

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, May 1, 2024

According to the budget, the government will spend $95 billion more in 2024-25 than it planned only three years ago.

Canada can solve its productivity ‘emergency’—we just need politicians on board

Jake Fuss

Appeared in the Hill Times, April 30, 2024

More government spending appears to be the popular solution to every problem for most governments in Canada these days.

Federal government’s fiscal record—one for the history books

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

The size of the federal government has expanded by more than one quarter in a decade.

Latest federal budget will continue trend of negative outcomes for Canadians

Matthew Lau

Appeared in National Newswatch, April 28, 2024

Compared to last year’s fiscal plan, the government will now overspend by $120.8 billion over five years.