AIMS // Atlantic Institute for Market Studies

Pension issues remain a key challenge facing small businesses today. AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill thinks pooled registered pension plans (PRPPs) are an interesting option to look into.

Upon Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi's visit to Halifax, AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill explained Nenshi's efforts to lure Haligonians to Calgary as "competition at its best", but was vaguely offended, as so many Atlantic Canadians already leave Halifax to work out west.

In this op-ed, AIMS Director of Research Don McIver discusses how the consequences of population aging are finally beginning to drive mainstream economic policy, and offers some solutions.

In this op-ed, AIMS Director of Research Don McIver argues that the government should pay greater attention to ensuring that all Nova Scotians are fully integrated into the workforce. As population aging generates sharp declines in the number of working-age persons over coming decades, skills mismatches will become increasingly apparent. McIver argues that: “Perhaps the least welcome outcome of the emerging aging predicament would be to introduce an aggressive immigration policy while simultaneously failing to ensure the active workforce inclusion of Nova Scotians with long and deep attachments to the province.”

The website, Social Policy in Ontario, directed followers to AIMS' paper on early childhood education, as a must-read for those interested in education and out children.

Chronicle-Herald columnist Marilla Stevenson uses AIMS' research on early childhood education to make her point in this column.

AIMS President & CEO Charles Cirtwill suggests one way that New Brunswick can boost its employment figures is to make the province attractive for business. He says government can't spend its way to prosperity.

This Commentary provides food for thought on our looming debt and demographic squeeze.

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.

Our population is getting older. This Commentary, based on a talk to the Canadian Education Association, examines how that fact will impact education policy.

AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley was again in 2003 a guest panellist at the annual retreat of senior managers of the federal Department of Finance that took place in Cornwall, Ontario. Four panellists were set the task of painting a picture for the Finance officials of the main policy challenges facing the country.

Brian Lee Crowley was a guest speaker at the Workforce Strategy Forum put on by the Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Nova Scotia to look at strategies to deal with the industry’s growing labour shortages.

AIMS Director of Research Don McIver argues that a sensible expansion policy should seek to achieve comprehensive education and skills development for all Nova Scotians — including our frequently disadvantaged communities.

A new research paper makes the case that government has to stop subsidizing business, and it should start by doing away with regional development authorities.

Atlantic Institute for Market Studies’ director of research Don McIver is calling for an end to Regional Development Authorities in Nova Scotia.

A Nova Scotia think tank is suggesting the province abolish its regional development authorities including the Cumberland Regional Development Authority.

In this op-ed, AIMS Board Vice Chair Dianne Kelderman suggests that a local MP - and anyone who thinks exporting our workforce to Alberta is good for Nova Scotia's economy - may need a lesson in Economics 101.

A university degree is still the best way to increase one's earnings over a lifetime, but new research suggests that one in five Canadian graduates end up on the lower end of the income scale. AIMS President and CEO Charles Cirtwill stresses that one is solely focused on income, there are certain choices one should make.

AIMS' report on early childhood education made headlines. This article explains how assistance for at risk children will benefit the economy and society in the long run.

This article from the Times & Transcript looks at the progress New Brunswick has made in achieving its self imposed benchmark in regards to population growth. It draws on AIMS' research to explain the population crunch.

Immigration continues to be an important public policy issue for the Atlantic region because of its declining population. AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill says one of the major barriers to increasing immigration is a system that seeks "ideal" candidates instead of trying to match people to open poisitions.

The latest Statistics Canada report shows Nova Scotia has doubled the number of immigrants in just over a decade. However, AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill says that's not enough and more must be done in order to replace workers in an aging province.

Are workers’ rights in Canada being violated by forced membership in labour unions? With Swedish human rights lawyer Jan Södergren

Join Bill Black at the Halifax Club, where he will discuss demographics in Nova Scotia. Read about Canada's wireless industry, secure and green energy, and multiculturalism.

Take in AIMS' event with Tom Flanagan, author of "Beyond the Indian Act".