Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty could learn a thing or two from his colleague in New Brunswick, Liberal Premier Shawn Graham.
In 2006, after defeating the incumbent Conservative government, the newly elected Graham took a page from McGuinty's playbook and increased personal and corporate taxes. However, unlike McGuinty, Premier Graham seems to have learned from his mistakes and is reversing course.
Most finance ministers say now is not the time to cut taxes. But the experience of British Columbia provides a different perspective. In 2001, after a decade of dismal economic performance, the newly elected government enacted a series of bold, incentive-based tax cuts. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. If Canadian governments are worried about the health of the economy, they should follow B.C.'s lead and cut taxes.