— Jan 31, 2023

Measuring British Columbia’s Prosperity Gap finds that, among eight peer jurisdictions (including Alberta and Washington State), B.C. in 2019 had the lowest median employment income, a key indicator of economic well-being.

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Ontario, 2023 Edition

— Jan 24, 2023

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Ontario, 2023 Edition finds that the wages of government employees in Ontario are 34.4 per cent higher, on average, than wages in the private sector in 2021, the most recent year of available comparable data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey.

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Quebec, 2023 Edition

— Jan 24, 2023

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Quebec, 2023 Edition finds that the wages of government employees in Quebec are 32.2 per cent higher, on average, than wages in the private sector in 2021, the most recent year of available comparable data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey.

Broken Promises: The Persistence of Elevated Personal and Corporate Income Taxes in Ontario

— Jan 5, 2023

Broken Promises: The persistence of elevated personal and corporate income taxes in Ontario is a new study that finds due to both federal and provincial tax hikes, Ontario now has the third highest top combined federal/provincial or federal/ state top income tax rate in Canada or the United States—having jumped from 46.41 per cent in 2012 to 53.53 per cent.

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.

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.

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Recent Provincial Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

High income taxes make B.C. less attractive and productive

Ben Eisen, Jake Fuss

Appeared in the Surrey Now-Leader, February 3, 2023

The province's top combined income tax rate increased from 43.7 per cent to 53.5 per cent.

Alberta government can send ongoing cheques to Albertans—if it saves resource revenue

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, February 1, 2023

Alberta's fund was valued at just C$16.2 billion compared to US$65.3 billion for Alaska’s fund.

B.C.’s recent spending spree may soon lead to budget deficits

Ben Eisen

During the restraint period, per-person spending increased by $44 per year compared to $401 from 2016/17 to 2019/20.

B.C. government should tackle province’s tax competitiveness problem

Ben Eisen

Appeared in Business in Vancouver, January 27, 2023

The province has the highest average level of tax on new investment of any large province.

High income tax rate hurting Alberta economy

Ben Eisen, Jake Fuss

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, January 25, 2023

The province's top combined income tax rate increased from 39 per cent in 2014 to 48 per cent today.

B.C. government ramped up spending after 2017 election

Ben Eisen

The provincial budget forecasts a large increase in debt over the next few years relative to the size of the economy.

Alberta government must commit to spending restraint and reform

Jake Fuss, Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, January 11, 2023

The province had the largest growth in government net debt in Canada from 2007/08 to 2021/22.

Ford continues string of broken promises about taxes in Ontario

Ben Eisen

Appeared in the Hub, January 10, 2023

Research suggests corporate income taxes are among the most harmful components of the provincial tax mix.

Smith government may continue Alberta's spending problem

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, December 28, 2022

Alberta went from spending $61 per person on provincial debt interest costs to roughly $563.

Ontario’s fiscal challenges—is there political will to address them?

Ben Eisen, Jake Fuss

Despite years of criticizing its predecessors for reckless spending, the Ford government has followed a similar fiscal path.

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Provincial Prosperity

Measuring British Columbia’s Prosperity Gap

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Ontario, 2023 Edition

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Quebec, 2023 Edition

Broken Promises: The Persistence of Elevated Personal and Corporate Income Taxes in Ontario

The End of Spending Restraint in British Columbia

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Alberta, 2021

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