Government Spending

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.

Stress Testing the Federal Fiscal Anchor

— Mar 16, 2023

Stress Testing the Federal Fiscal Anchor finds that that there is a 30 per cent chance that the federal debt to GDP ratio will increase over a 10-year time period, meaning the federal government would fail to achieve its core fiscal goal.

The Cost of Business Subsidies in Canada

— Mar 14, 2023

The Cost of Business Subsides in Canada finds that from 2007 to 2019 (the latest year of available pre-COVID data), federal, provincial and local governments spent more than $350 billion on business subsidies—also known as corporate welfare.

Prime Ministers and Government Spending: 2023 Edition

— Mar 9, 2023

Prime Ministers and Government Spending:2023 Edition is a new study that finds federal spending reached $19,208 per-person in 2020-21, which represents the single highest level in the country’s history, with the current federal government is on track to record the five highest levels of per-person spending (2018 to 2022) in Canadian history.

Recent Government Spending Commentaries and Blog Posts

Federal budget’s scale of spending and debt reveal a government lacking self-control

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

In 2024/25, federal program spending will reach a projected $483.6 billion—up $16.1 billion from the previous budget’s estimates.

Ottawa touts wait lists for dysfunctional child-care program

Matthew Lau

Appeared in the Financial Post, April 11, 2024

Only public and non-profit providers have access to the billions in government grants.

It’s time for an honest conversation about the costs of new federal programs

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Support for government-funded pharmacare, dental care and daycare plummeted to well below 50 per cent if the programs are paid for by tax hikes.

Growing the government won’t help Canada’s economy

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro, Alex Whalen

The Trudeau government has recorded the five-highest years of federal spending in Canadian history.

Canada’s federal government disregards its own fiscal rules—unlike Sweden

Grady Munro, Jake Fuss

Rather than adopt the discipline necessary to get back on track, Ottawa simply moves the goalposts.

Alberta and B.C. budgets represent two different approaches to government finances

Grady Munro, Tegan Hill

According to projections, government debt interest will cost nearly $1,000 per British Columbian by 2026/27.

Federal government should listen to Canadians and restrain spending in upcoming budget

Grady Munro, Jake Fuss

In 2023/24, interest costs on federal government debt will reach a projected $46.5 billion.

Balanced budget within reach—if Ottawa restrains spending

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Since 2014/15, annual federal program spending has increased by $193.6 billion—or 75.5 per cent.

New Brunswick government should resist temptation to increase spending before election

Alex Whalen

This year, the province will spend a projected $548 million on provincial debt interest.

Newfoundland and Labrador government must balance budget to tackle massive debt

Grady Munro, Alex Whalen

Appeared in the St. John's Telegram, March 15, 2024

In 2023/24, the province will spend roughly $1.1 billion on debt interest.