The Ontario government must take decisive action to get the budget under control when the COVID-19 crisis has passed
Ontario is the most indebted sub-sovereign borrower in the world. Interim financial results for the 2019-20 fiscal year show that the Ontario government ran a $9.2-billion deficit. According to estimates from economists, the deficit is likely to more than triple, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic lockdown, to around $29.3 billion…
Blame economic contraction due to COVID-19 and increased government spending at the provincial and federal levels
Ontario’s provincial government now carries more net debt per person than any province except Newfoundland and Labrador. In a reversal of historical norms, Ontario carries significantly more debt – almost $4,000 more per person – than Quebec. Of course, debt (financial assets minus total liabilities) means interest payments. But Ontarians aren’t just responsible for interest…
And 2019 shows signs of being an even better tourism year for the province, according to an ATB report
Alberta offers international tourists numerous places to visit. And international visitors seem to love coming to this province. Last year, international visitors (including business travellers) spent almost $2.2 billion in the province. And spending in the first three months of 2019 was 26 per cent higher than during the same period last year, says a…
Tim McGuire of Mobile Klinik is building a national service network to meet the needs of all smartphone users
Tim McGuire is chief executive officer of Mobile Klinik. What is Mobile Klinik and what does it do? McGuire: Mobile Klinik is Canada’s largest and fastest-growing retail network of while-you-wait smartphone and tablet repair, care, sales and services stores. As Canada’s only national Samsung and LG-authorizd in- and out-of-warranty repair retailer, Mobile Klinik offers no-appointment-needed,…
Electricity sector is playing in reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Canada’s electricity sector have declined by 34 per cent since 2005 and further reductions are expected, says the Conference Board of Canada in a new report released on Tuesday. “Canada-wide, the electricity sector is undergoing fundamental transformation. In each province, electricity generators are playing a leadership role in the move…
Encouraging short-term stability at the expense of economic performance and fairness is folly when alternatives are available
In recent years, equalization and other regional subsidies have captured the attention of many Albertans. Much useful research has been done at the University of Calgary and by the former Wildrose Party. There has been extensive comment in Alberta’s media on Canada’s fiscal arrangements, including equalization. Issues connected with regional subsidies are important to all…
Jason Kenney and Doug Ford don't have great approval ratings. But voters seem to favour their parties in Alberta and Ontario
An intriguing phenomenon is beginning to occur in our nation’s politics. Some Canadians seemed to be pleased with the policies of Conservative parties and are willing to vote for them – in spite of some apprehension toward certain party leaders. Here are two recent examples. A Mainstreet Research poll released on Jan. 22 revealed that…
The smarter alternative would be to just bite the bullet and abandon the pretence of abiding by the flawed Paris agreement
The yellow vests demonstrations across the Atlantic against climate change-driven fuel taxes offer Ontario Premier Doug Ford yet another reason to congratulate himself on repealing Ontario’s carbon tax. Less reassuring, however, is the speculation that he intends to introduce a measure similar to the Australian Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). A sop to the leftists within the…
Ontario, Alberta and Quebec continued to account for the majority of energy consumed in Canada
Primary energy production in Canada increased five per cent in 2017 to 20,741 petajoules, following a 3.1 per cent increase in 2016, according to Statistics Canada. In a report released on Thursday, the federal agency said crude oil accounted for the largest proportion of primary energy production in Canada in 2017 at 46.4 per cent,…
Co-founder Stephanie Florio talks about plans to expand the concept, which runs through an app
Stephanie Florio is co-founder of Swob. It operates in the Toronto area but has plans to expand the concept to other areas. What is Swob and how did it come about? Florio: Swob is designed to make job searching for students easy and recruitment even easier. Using their smartphone, students looking for a job can…
Ontario is the most indebted sub-sovereign borrower in the world. Interim financial results for the 2019-20 fiscal year show that the Ontario government ran a $9.2-billion deficit. According to estimates from economists, the deficit is likely to more than triple, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic lockdown, to around $29.3 billion…
