What is the main reason for government debt accumulation in Canada?  Is the main driver of debt the public policy choices made by governments, or are non-policy factors, like interest rates and the economic environment to blame?  Answering this question is the first step for governments to take in order to get that debt under […]

In December 2012, prompted by the proposed purchase of Nexen by the Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE) CNOOC, the federal government announced revised guidelines for investments by SOEs in the oil sands. Declaring that the Nexen sale marked “the end of a trend and not the beginning of a trend,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper explained that, […]

As anyone paying attention during the 2008–2009 financial crisis is aware, the Canadian financial system weathered the storm uniquely well. Exactly why Canada’s system remained so comparatively stable, while so many other foreign systems broke down, is a question that remains largely unsettled. One explanation may be that the regulatory system that emerged from a […]

Canada’s roads, bridges, wastewater treatment centres and sewer systems are over the hill. In the next 10-15 years, Canadian cities will face some seriously expensive bills. But what is the best way to fund needed infrastructure? For many reasons, the best solution is one that municipalities are most reluctant to implement: user fees. In a […]

Fuelled by the province’s booming energy sector, Alberta’s two largest cities have experienced extraordinary growth, both surpassing one million in the last decade. Traditionally, Calgary and Edmonton have focused on suburban expansion to accommodate their growing populations, but those cities are now moving down different development paths. In a report released today by The School […]

In a report published today by The School of Public Policy, author Wendy Dobson examines the deepening relationship between the world’s two largest economies – China and the United States – and argues Canada needs a strategy for deeper integration with Asia. Specifically, she stresses the need for a long-term “strategic framework to replace the […]

Are Canada’s railways safe? In a report published today by The School of Public Policy, Jennifer Winter argues that an answer is almost impossible to discern because data around rail incidents are “worryingly inaccessible, sometimes conflicting and in certain cases not available at all.” Winter finds these shortcomings to be very troublesome. “The inability to […]

A report published today by The School of Public Policy argues that Canada’s policy stance restricting takeovers by Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOE’s) is too restrictive and will hinder future investment between the two countries. Author Wendy Dobson evaluates how Canada’s policies have changed since last year’s Nexen-CNOOC deal and concludes that the federal government has […]

By any reasonable standard, Canada exports a lot of energy. Public perception towards energy trade in our country often negative, especially when it comes tithe oilsands and pipelines. We all know the criticisms – but what about the benefits of an energy economy? A ground-breaking report released today from The School of Public Policy offers […]