Op-ed

In his Financial Post column, AIMS Fellow Patrick Luciani examines the scientific literature on sugar, suggesting that it may not be the singular culprit for obesity that some fad diet believe it to be. In fact, the greatest single fault for gain in weight appears to be declining smoking rates. Read the full piece on [...]

AIMS research fellow Joseph Quesnel discusses the compliance of Atlantic First Nations with the federal First Nations Financial Transparency Act. He argues that their leadership constitutes "a win-win for all Canadians, but transparency and accountability mostly benefits First Nations communities by ensuring revenues are wisely spent to help band members." This article appeared in the [...]

Vice President of Research John Williamson writes that bad economic policies in New Brunswick gives one the impression that its government has stopped trying to reverse the province's woes. Banning hydraulic fracking, maintaining protectionist measures on alcohol, and inadequate education are mixing with outmigration to produce an economic death spiral. This article appeared in the [...]

Jackson Doughart writes that P.E.I.'s HST increase is a poorly-conceived policy, largely because greater consumption taxes are not being adequately offset by income tax reductions across the board. Instead of taking more from Islanders' pockets, P.E.I.'s government needs to focus on prioritizing needs and cutting spending to prevent tax hikes. This article appeared in the [...]

In Saint John's Telegraph-Journal, AIMS Fellow in Education Michael Zwaagstra argues against the temptation to lower class sizes as a solution to underperforming schools. Rather, governments in charge of public schools need to focus on ameliorating the quality of the instruction, which is shown to be a more effective measure. Read the full article on [...]

In the Telegraph-Journal, AIMS Vice President of Research John Williamson argues that the fault for Atlantic Canada’s financial squeeze in healthcare lies more with our economic policies than with Ottawa’s funding formulas. When a young worker moves West, his federal health subsidy goes with him, rather than staying here. Read the full article on the [...]

In Halifax's Chronicle Herald, AIMS President & CEO Marco Navarro-Génie argues that each of the four Atlantic Provinces should seek entry into the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, creating "a virtual agreement between Atlantic Provinces, adding new markets and a common trade policy with three dynamic co-members of the federation." Read the full piece on [...]

On May 11, 2016, AIMS President Marco Navarro-Génie testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, in a hearing about internal trade within Canada. In his statement, he recommended that the federal government encourage open borders, and that the Atlantic Province join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. “It is proposed that they [...]

In the Charlottetown Guardian, AIMS Education Fellow Michael Zwaagstra responds to MLA Sidney MacEwen's push for smaller class sizes. The evidence-based education research, he argues, does not support expensive efforts to reduce class sizes. A far better strategy for improving outcomes is to focus on improving instruction skill from teachers. Read the full article on [...]

Jackson Doughart responds to an editorial in P.E.I.'s Journal-Pioneer newspaper, which last month attacked AIMS's policy paper, "I'll Take New England Any Day!" by Dr. Mark Milke. Read the full piece on the Journal-Pioneer website. Last month, a Journal-Pioneer editorial criticized a recent AIMS report, authored by Dr. Mark Milke (A Tale of Two Tax [...]