AIMS // Atlantic Institute for Market Studies

As new members of parliament begin familiarizing themselves with key economic and social issues, AIMS Director of Research Don McIver takes the time to review some of the more perverse consequences of existing strategies.

This editorial in the Calgary Herald uses AIMS' work on non-renewable resource revenues to make its point. AIMS has repeatedly published material that tells Governments revenues from non-renewable resources (such as oil & gas) should not be squandered on day to day operations.

The dream of equalization, of comparable services for all Canadians, has turned into the nightmare of entrenched disparity and dependence. In this op-ed, AIMS Executive Vice President Charles Cirtwill explains how equalization perpetuates the very inequities it is intended to diminish.

In this Opinion piece that appeared in the Toronto Star, AIMS Senior Fellow David MacKinnon explains why equalization is bad public policy and how regional subsidies are damaging the economy of the entire country.

AIMS Senior Fellow in Fairness in Confederation; the Ontario Perspective David MacKinnon explains why equalization is anything but equal.

Prince Albert MP Brian Fitzpatrick turned to the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies when he had questions about equalization saying he valued the extensive work AIMS has done on the issue.

It's just days from the federal election, days of political promises and political finger-pointing. In this series of commentaries, AIMS lays out the public policy issues that will mean make a difference in Atlantic Canada. It is not a wish list for handouts or preferential treatment. Collectively they are a request that whoever forms the new government thoroughly scrutinize and quantify the actual effects of existing policies. We believe that such an examination will lead to the same conclusions that many authors published by AIMS have arrived at over the past several years.

Don McIver, Director of Research AIMS presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance

Atlantic Canada can be put back onto the road to growth. Lower taxes and a favourable business climate will be central to such a strategy. But many of the well-meaning but destructive old government programmes that reward dependence and obstruct growth will have to go first.

In this article for the Citizen Centre Report Magazine, AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley makes outlines AIMS’ intellectual contributions to Atlantic Canada’s quiet economic revolution.

AIMS Research Fellow David MacKinnon argues that PEI needs to ensure they approach other Canadians for financial support in an informed way, showing understanding of the circumstances of the people they are seeking money from - none of which is present in the PEI government's recent appeal to Ottawa.

A proposal for a regional transmission system for electricity takes the headlines in the midst of discussion about the sale of NB POwer assets to Hydro Quebec. AIMS President Charles Cirtwill explains the regional system is worth consideration with or without the NB Power deal.

Media was quick to respond to the release of AIMS second publication of ACOA Watch: Locking Up the Pork Barrel. In two articles, one from the Ottawa Bureau of the Halifax Chronicle Herald and another appearing in the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley outlines the importance of the C.D. Howe research on the political motivation behind ACOA spending. According to the figures released in Brooking No Favourites by Jack Mintz and Michael Smart and the subsequent AIMS document ACOA Watch, the total of grants and contributions from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency peak just before the federal election calls.

Media was quick to respond to the release of AIMS second publication of ACOA Watch: Locking Up the Pork Barrel. In two articles, one from the Ottawa Bureau of the Halifax Chronicle Herald and another appearing in the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley outlines the importance of the C.D. Howe research on the political motivation behind ACOA spending. According to the figures released in Brooking No Favourites by Jack Mintz and Michael Smart and the subsequent AIMS document ACOA Watch, the total of grants and contributions from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency peak just before the federal election calls.

Nova Scotia's unemployment rate rose in November, but the reasons hold promise for the provincial economy. Statistic Canada reported the province's unemployment rate last month rose to 10.1 per cent, up from October's 9.5. The national trend rate fell slightly to 7.5. the provincial economy actually added 6,000 jobs -- most of them part-time -- in November, while losing another 3,000, a net gain of 3,000. But more importantly, another 6,300 people joined the workforce, driving up the participation rate. Brian Lee Crowley, president of the Atlantic Institute of Market Studies says the fact that more people have entered the workforce is a positive sign for the province.

Examines new evidence of the politicization of ACOA spending

Inaugural Issue: Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! The Numbers Game

Equalization creates incentives for poorer provinces to keep taxes too high

AIMS' 10th Anniversary was celebrated in New Brunswick on Tuesday, May 31st with the Celtic Tiger Dinner. The guest speaker was Dr. Garret FitzGerald, the former Prime Minister of Ireland.

AIMS Talk Triggers Debate.

James Buchanan, Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics revisited the case for equalising grants during a luncheon conference at the University Club in Montreal

In this edition of The Beacon, ignore the hype and look at the true opportunity LNG provides the region, consider the crisis that could soon face the NB forest industry, understand why the regulation of gasoline prices hurts consumer, and examine the regulation of land use and its cost to consumers, particularly low income families.

Atlantica: Moncton’s New Neighbourhood in the Global Economy. AIMS addresses Greater Moncton Chamber’s AGM, Five Big Ideas: AIMS’ Roadmap for Atlantic Prosperity, Brian Lee Crowley's commentary in the National Post on Canada's first aboriginal-run MRI clinic and more.

New thinking key to Newfoundland prosperity, an excerpt from Mark Milke’s new book, Tax Me I’m Canadian – Your Money and How Politicians Spend It and Australia looks to AIMS for analysis of Equalization.