The sale of NB Power could be a good thing for NB taxpayers. AIMS acting President Charles Cirtwill says such a sale would not interfere the province's plan for self-sfficiency. And AIMS author Gordon Weil explains that while the government may not be shopping the utility, an unsolicited offer may emerge.
Conclusive research shows that increasing minimum wages will cause a drop in employment. AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro refutes claims that bumping the minimum wage in New Brunswick to $12 an hour would be helpful to the labour market.
It's about choice. In his fortnightly column in the Chronicle-Herald, Charles Cirtwill weighs in on the ongoing debate over public sector versus private sector schools. He explains why choice in education benefits everyone, and suggests those that value public sector schools should be willing to let our money do the talking.
In equalization, Ontario taking squarely on the chin but does not look like they are going to take it much longer. This article from the National Post relies on AIMS ground breaking equalization research to demonstrate that Ontario is getting a raw deal. Fiscal capacities in the equalization receiving provinces are greater than they are in Ontario, which does not receive equalization transfers.
AIMS cutting edge research on demographic trends and implications of the Atlantic Canadian labour shortage is featured in this Globe and Mail article. AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro points out that as the workforce shrinks the region will struggle to have an adequate tax base to provide the necessary public services.
Equalization is about ensuring Canadians across the country receive comparable public services. This front-page article from the Daily Gleaner highlights what AIMS research repeatedly points out - the cost of providing services should be reflected in equalization.
A previous op/ed by AIMS Director of Education Policy, Robert Laurie, says provincial testing is necessary to accurately assess what children are actually learning and provide the best education for them. His comments in The Guardian prompted this letter to the editor.
The Atlantica 2007 Conference hosted by the Atlantic Provinces Chambes of Commerce once again put the Atlantica concept on the front pages. The article in the Telegraph Journal explains that trade globalization is moving quickly and there's not a lot of time to catch up.
After a slow start, the track is now clear. The Atlantica Council takes the reins for a year of consultation and strategy development.
Once again we do it to ourselves. This article in the Halifax Daily News explains how inter-provincial trade rules restrict growth of local business.