Publications

Whitehall’s Last Colonies – August 3, 2006
The transfer payment system in Britain is causing a pattern of inequities, as richer regions subsidize large public sectors and economic malaise in poorer parts of the country.

The Flypaper Effect – July 23, 2006
This paper jointly published by Halifax's Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and the Frontier Centre demonstrates that equalization subsidies simply inflate the size of the recipient province's public sectors, more government personnel with higher salaries, at the cost of more effective public services.

Do We Over-Equalize? – July 22, 2006
Making the case for a needs-based approach to equalization to prevent over subsidizing recipient provinces in the goal of providing "reasonable" levels of public services.

Improve Federalism By Cutting Duplicity – July 18, 2006
Since the introduction of the goods and services tax in 2000 the states have received about 20 per cent more than expected, equalling $70 billion in unanticipated revenue. Instead of using their windfall to continue the process of reform and sustain the good economic times, they have expanded the size of government and increased the numbers and salaries of public servants.

Transfer Real Taxing Power to the Provinces – July 11, 2006
Ontario and the other provinces should put their own tax on the GST base, while the federal government cuts federal transfers and its GST rate to compensate.

Ask Not What Ottawa Can Do for You – July 4, 2006
Canadians have been taught to think in terms of national entitlements -- about "getting." But entitlements do not build countries. They create insatiable expectations and demands, and then they disappoint.

The Equitable Solution for Equalization is to Get Rid of It – July 3, 2006
Fiscal Equalization is the way Ottawa "tops up" the provincial tax revenues of weaker provinces. But everyone pays.

Falling Further Behind – June 23, 2006
The Doer government should spend more time on serious economic issues like this and less time on bogus marketing exercises like the "Spirited Energy" campaign if it truly wants to make Manitoba a better place to live.

Centralism Masquerading as Federalism – May 24, 2006
The long history of moving power to Ottawa and away from the provinces has had some unsalutary effects.

Equalization should be Scrapped – May 19, 2006

Let's Compare the 'Have-Not' With the 'Have' – May 18, 2006

Centralization: Canada’s Cure - or Problem? – February 28, 2006
Canadians do have a choice, but it is not between a strong federation and a decentralized confederation, it is between decentralization and separation.

Fair Equalization Payments? Not in Canada – February 27, 2006

Selinger's Focus on Handouts – February 26, 2006
What Manitoba needs is a strategy to reduce dependence on transfers, not increase it.

GST and Transfer Reform – February 22, 2006
Instead of lowering the GST, why not give it to the provinces in exchange for an end to federal transfer programs?

A Frontier Throne Speech – January 28, 2006
Frontier takes a shot at a throne speech - in the Canada West Foundation's Dialogues magazine, January 2006.

Equalization Called a Drag on Productivity – December 31, 2005

Alberta Must Prepare for Federal Attack – October 25, 2005
The Alberta government should immediately put before the federation a formal constitutional amendment to severely restrict federal taxation and transfers.

AIMS News Release - Good Intentions Gone Wrong – August 24, 2005
A report released today by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce provides a sobering but realistic view of the damaging impact of equalization on the nation and on Ontario itself.

The Help that Hurts (Speech by Brian Crowley) – June 9, 2005
The President of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, Brian Lee Crowley discusses how equalization harms Saskatchewan in a Frontier Centre speech in Regina, April 20, 2005