The B.C. Conservatives have a new leader, with former Harper era Cabinet minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay narrowly winning the party’s months-long leadership race. Findlay ran as a “true blue” candidate, promising not to shy away from controversial issues. As one of the more conservative candidates in the race, Findlay’s victory will ensure that the party does […]
While many federal politicians were debating whether the fact that Canada has just registered two consecutive quarters of economic decline was a “technical recession” or a “real recession,” some Ontario economic data from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) also had some bad news to report. As federal Liberals tried to pretend that national […]
An old saying suggests that trends originate in California and gradually migrate eastward. Cultural values, fashion trends, and business models frequently trace their roots back to the West. Applying this logic to Canada suggests that the country’s national movements often begin in British Columbia. In recent days, Prime Minister Mark Carney has received a frosty […]
When conservative-oriented politicians talk about government waste, they are often criticized by left-leaning politicians who claim it is just a smokescreen to hide underfunding or a way to drum up support for government spending cutbacks. But sometimes, the accusations are true. And whenever it occurs, it undermines taxpayers’ faith in the system. Such was the […]
The government can’t waste this massive windfall. The price of oil is surging. That means that the provincial government is likely to end up with a massive resource revenue windfall this year. That’s a blessing for the Saskatchewan government that just released a budget that increases the provincial debt by $3.4 billion and wastes more […]
The recent announcement that Ontario will cut teachers’ college back to one year, increase in-class training, and establish a mentoring program is a win for kids, parents, taxpayers, and teacher candidates. When the union representing teachers complains about a lack of consultation or raises concerns about working conditions and early bargaining, the government has likely […]
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has been musing about potential school board reforms for months. Last week, he finally ended the suspense with broad-based legislation to make school board governance more accountable, improve financial management and strengthen student achievement. There is little doubt that significant change was needed. Questionable financial and governance decisions by too […]
A strong freedom-of-information law is a cornerstone of representative democracy. But if the Ford government has its way, those days might be over in the province of Ontario. The Ford government has introduced sweeping changes to Ontario’s freedom-of-information legislation, with Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Minister Stephen Crawford insisting that the new changes […]
Manitoba’s latest budget did not make life more affordable. Instead, it covers up tax hikes and piles the cost of government debt on current and future generations of Manitobans. The government is highlighting its so-called tax relief in the budget. The government is removing the Retail Sales Tax from a few more grocery items. Most […]
Pity Canada’s poor finance ministers these days. It is not an easy job. Your boss is always keen to spend on new initiatives that might be politically popular. Your cabinet colleagues are happy to present you with a long list of financial asks, all urgently needed. Not to mention the seemingly endless demands from stakeholder […]