Government Spending

The Growing Debt Burden for Canadians: 2023 Edition

— Jan 10, 2023

The Growing Debt Burden for Canadians: 2023 Edition finds that not only has Canada’s projected combined government debt (the federal debt and the provincial debt of all 10 provinces) nearly doubled since 2007/08, the year before the last recession, but the combined debt now equals 74.6 per cent of the Canadian economy.

The End of Spending Restraint in British Columbia

— Jan 4, 2023

The End of Spending Restraint in British Columbia finds that after a long period of relative spending restraint, the B.C. government significantly increased spending—even before any COVID-related spending began.

Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada's Premiers, 2022

— Nov 17, 2022

Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada's Premiers, 2022 is a new study that ranks Canadian premiers (seven current and four former) based on three fiscal policy categories: government spending, taxes, and deficits and debt up to the fiscal year 2021/22. Premiers who managed spending more prudently, balanced the budgets, and or paid down debt ranked higher.

Population and the Fiscal Outcomes of Subnational Jurisdictions

— Oct 20, 2022

Population and the Fiscal Outcomes of Subnational Jurisdictions is a new study that finds once a province or state exceeds a certain population size, the government’s role in the economy begins to grow.

Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2022 Edition

— Oct 6, 2022

Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2022 Edition finds that despite common misperceptions, spending on public schools across Canada increased in seven out of 10 provinces between 2012-13 and 2019-20, before COVID-related spending began.

Comparing per-Person Spending and Revenue in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, 2009–2019

— Aug 25, 2022

Comparing per-Person Spending and Revenue in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, 2009–2019 is a new study that finds across the 26 municipalities that constitute the GTHA, per person spending (adjusted for inflation) increased by 9.6 per cent between 2009 and 2019, and Toronto remained the highest spending municipality in 2019. Not surprisingly, there is a connection between high spending municipalities and high tax municipalities, as Toronto, the highest spending municipality was also the 3rd highest taxing municipality (total per person revenues adjusted for inflation) in 2019.

Recent Government Spending Commentaries and Blog Posts

Spending sprees by governments across Canada help fuel inflation and high interest rates

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, December 6, 2023

Between 2024/25 and 2027/28, the federal government has increased projected spending by $30.7 billion more than previously forecasted.

Saskatchewan’s surprise deficit should serve as warning for Alberta

Tegan Hill

The provincial government revised its $1.0 billion projected budget surplus to a $250.5 million projected deficit.

Ottawa’s red ink leaves little room for defence spending commitments

Alex Whalen, Jake Fuss

Appeared in National Newswatch, November 25, 2023

The federal government wants Canada’s military to cut $1 billion from its budget.

Federal government points to misleading debt rankings to justify debt explosion

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, November 23, 2023

In reality, Canada’s government debt is high relative to other comparable countries.

Federal government maintains high levels of spending and abandons fiscal anchor

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Projected federal spending from 2024 to 2027 is now $30.7 billion higher than previous forecasts.

Federal government poised to pile on more spending and debt

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Appeared in the Financial Post, November 16, 2023

Since 2014/15, federal government debt interest costs have nearly doubled.

Quebec’s tuition hike punishes out-of-province students, rejects spirit of federal cash transfer

Grady Munro, Jake Fuss

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, November 2, 2023

The province will receive an expected $1.37 billion from the Canada Social Transfer in 2023/24.

PBO report underscores Ottawa’s irresponsible spending spree

Jake Fuss, Grady Munro

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, October 18, 2023

Federal spending in 2023/24 will increase by $5.6 billion more than the government’s previous projection.

Time for governments to boldly reduce government spending

Matthew Lau

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, October 4, 2023

There’s nothing peculiar about letter delivery, trains, television and radio programs, or alcohol sales that justifies governmental operation.

Prime minister’s threat to grocery chains won’t solve food price problem

Jason Clemens, Milagros Palacios

Appeared in the Financial Post, September 21, 2023

A serious approach to food inflation would focus on reducing costs to producers and encouraging greater supply.