Where tomorrow's public policy begins today.

AIMS is an independent, non-partisan social and economic public policy think tank based in Halifax, NS. It examines such crucial issues as public education, health care, public finances, equalization, natural resources, Atlantica and demographics.

Young Love

Will Generation Y ever get that special feeling for Atlantic Canada?

girl boardwalk

With an aging population, low birth and immigration rates, and ‘brain drain’, Atlantic Canada faces major challenges for business and economic growth. The unique characteristics of Gen Y may be the key to revitalizing the Atlantic Canadian economy.

 

Currently, Atlantic Canada is not a particularly lucrative locale for Gen Y. It offers high taxes, expensive education, low wages and few job opportunities. 

 

AIMS Intern John Kennedy explains what makes his generation tick, and offers advice on how businesses and policymakers can attract and retain these twenty-somethings to the Atlantic Canadian workforce. 

 

Click here to read the full paper.

 

 

Nova Scotians Without Borders

Why economic and industrial development strategies should refocus on people rather than regions

road 

 

Regional development strategies in Canada have failed to improve the economies of their target regions.

 

In Nova Scotia, the government has provided financial incentives to companies to operate in regions with high unemployment. Frequently these initiatives have failed—often after additional infusions of assistance.

 

AIMS Director of Research Don McIver contends that industrial strategies are not a legitimate role of government. The most people-oriented strategies would help create an inclusive, skilled labour force with the flexibility to locate to where their personal economic and social wellbeing is maximized. If that is outside the province, it may be a loss to Nova Scotia—but to those individual Nova Scotians it would be a personal gain.

 

Click here to read the full paper.

Click here to read Don McIver's op-ed Public policy in Nova Scotia must put people first

Atlantica
Unlocking the potential of the International Northeast Economic Region; it's not just about trade anymore.

Education
Real Education Reform: AIMS is an independent voice on public education research and reform.

Energy
Whether it is electricity, or oil & gas, there is extensive research on energy policy.

Equalization
AIMS groundbreaking work on equalization changed the way people in Canada think about regional economics.

Fisheries & Aquaculture
This research examines some of the latest policy issues facing the traditional fishery and the upstart aquaculture industry.

Healthcare
Research offering real solutions that result in better health care for Canadians.

History of Economic Thought
Think tanks help people see why some policy ideas are good and work, while others, no matter how good they may sound, don't and can't work.

Labour
AIMS extensive research on the demographic shift provides insight of the labour shortage and policy changes that can lift the burden for our aging population.

Pharmaceuticals
Access to drugs, barriers to R&D, global trade impacts and much more in this research on the prescription drug industry.

Public Finances
From tax reform, to fiscal responsibility, to balanced budgets, AIMS kibrary examines the fiscal policies that can make a difference to your life.

Regional Development
AIMS built its strong reputation as a leading voice for the examination of the effects of government subsidies, regional development schemes and other disincentives to growth.

Regulatory Reform
Government regulation in the age of the Internet, globalization and consumer empowerment.

Security & Defence
AIMS research related to public policy on security and defence matters in today's post 9/11 world.

Social Programs
Showing the choices that can promote the greatest social and economic development for those at the bottom of the income scale as well as the economy as a whole.

Urban Affairs & Local Government
Transparency and accountability are just some of the topics caovered by AIMS in our research on municipal government.

 

 

Latest Publications
Healthy Alternatives
AIMS is pleased to provide a forum for fresh perspectives on the Canadian public health care system. AIMS Health Policy Fellow David Zitner and AIMS Board Director George Cooper offer their points of view on what can be done to fix a system in need.
OF INTEREST: The Sky Has Limits
Online Learning in K-12 Public Education in Canada
The Way We'll Get By
Perry Newman suggests people independently dig a little deeper into their pockets and their hearts to help their neighbours get through these tough economic times.
Good for you, if you have a job (and keep it) Why minimum wage increases are a costly way to make little progress
AIMS Research Intern Andreas Korfmann explains how raising the minimum wage can have unintended consequences such as higher prices and unemployment rates.
Report Cards

‘Whether it’s schools or city hall, it’s about openness and accountability. Here are the direct links to our ground-breaking research on school report cards, municipal performance, and gas price regulation.

»Atlantic CDN High Schools
»Western CDN High Schools
»National Municipal Performance Report
»Nova Scotia Municipal Performance Report
»New Brunswick Municipal Performance Report
»Gas Price Regulation
»View All
AIMS in the News

SUPPORT US

Help us make a difference with ideas that matter and policies that work.

AIMS is a registered charity and takes no money from  Government to maintain its independence.

Support Us


Atlantica

Visit the The International North-east Economic Region (AINER) website

Also known as the International Northeast Economic Region, Atlantica enjoys enormous potential to succeed, but that can only happen if it is easier to move people, goods and sevices across the border and between provinces and states.

Learn more on the Atlantica website »