Alberta Prosperity

Don’t Spend Away the Windfall: Better Options for Alberta’s Unexpected Revenues

— Feb 9, 2023

Don’t Spend Away the Windfall: Better Options for Alberta’s Unexpected Revenues is a new study that finds when resource revenues have increased in the past, previous governments have increased spending, which led to sizeable deficits when resource revenues declined—making this an ample opportunity for Alberta to strengthen the province's finances and economy for the long-term.

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Alberta, 2021

— Nov 8, 2022

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Alberta, 2021 is a new study that finds even after adjusting for differences such as age, gender, education, tenure, type of work, industry, and occupation, government employees are still paid 5.6 per cent higher wages on average in Alberta compared to their private sector counterparts, in addition to many non-wage benefits such as Registered Pension Plans, personal leave, and early retirement.

Alberta Premiers and Government Spending

— Aug 3, 2022

Alberta Premiers and Government Spending finds that from 1965 to 2020, the highest level of per-person provincial government spending (adjusted for inflation) in Alberta occurred in 2017—three years before the pandemic.

What Changed in Alberta from the Fall 2021 Mid-year Update to Budget 2022

— May 12, 2022

What Changed in Alberta from the Fall 2021 Mid-year Update to Budget 2022 is a new study that finds following a windfall in resource revenue, the recent Alberta budget increased program spending by $4 billion over the next three years. This increase in spending is above and beyond what would be required to keep pace with inflation and population growth.

Four Myths about Economic Diversification in Alberta

— Mar 10, 2022

Four Myths about economic diversification in Alberta is a new study that finds despite misperceptions, oil and gas production in the province does not dominate economic activity or employment in Alberta to the point that the provincial economy is notably less diversified than other provinces. In fact, with respect to employment, Alberta’s was the most diversified provincial economy in Canada in 2020.

A New Fiscal Framework for Alberta

— Feb 3, 2022

A New Fiscal Framework for Alberta is a new study that finds rather than use precarious resource revenue to support high spending in Alberta, the Alberta Sustainability Fund (ASF) should be reintroduced and have contributions to the Heritage fund renewed to ensure long-term financial stability in the province.

Recent Alberta Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

Provincial pension plan could have big benefits for Albertans—and big costs for rest of Canada

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, September 22, 2023

Each Albertan would save up to $2,850 in 2027, the first year of the hypothetical Alberta plan.

Alberta government should cut corporate welfare to generate tax relief

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, September 20, 2023

In 2019, the Alberta government spent $2 billion on corporate welfare.

Here’s how Smith government can fix Alberta’s longstanding fiscal problem

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, August 30, 2023

The idea is simple—save during good times to help avoid deficits during bad times.

Crucial economic indicator down more than 50 per cent in Alberta

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, July 19, 2023

Business investment provides workers with the tools and new technologies to produce more and better goods and services.

Wait times for health care cost Albertans $600 million

Ben Eisen, Bacchus Barua

An estimated 181,333 Albertans faced a median wait of 19.2 weeks between specialist consultation and treatment.

Alberta’s showdown with Ottawa should focus on means, not ends

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in the Western Standard, June 21, 2023

The federal government's emission-control plans would cripple the province's oil and gas industry.

Alberta government should pursue single 8 per cent income tax rate

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, June 14, 2023

Lower income tax rates incentivize people to work, save, invest and engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Smith needs constitutional change to protect Albertans from future tax hikes

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, June 7, 2023

Future governments can easily and unilaterally change any law passed by the legislature.

Gimmicks and handouts won’t turnaround Calgary’s downtown—business investment will

Tegan Hill, Elmira Aliakbari

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, April 17, 2023

Capital investment in Alberta’s oil and gas industry fell from $58.1 billion to $21.5 billion.

Canadian history lacking in Alberta schools

Michael Zwaagstra

Appeared in the Western Standard, April 15, 2023

Most provinces do not require high school students to take a Canadian history course.