Atlantic Canada is in a financial squeeze.

With our ageing population, healthcare costs are rising. But these circumstances aren’t created by neglect from the federal government, as Ottawa’s health transfers to our region are at record highs. Rather, our poor economic policies – like high taxes and banning onshore shale gas development – are driving business and employment away.

Provincial governments collect less tax revenue as young families leave for work elsewhere; this means less money to pay for important social programs like healthcare. Instead of lobbying Ottawa for more money, provincial governments should adopt policies that improve our economic health. This way, we can keep more young workers, and more tax dollars, here at home.