I M M I G R A T I O N   &    L A B O U R    P O L I C Y

Immigration and Labour is a new area of research for AIMS. It seeks to examine policy options in response to the demographic challenges facing the region from a market-oriented and pro-growth immigration strategy. The One Nova Scotia report indicated that attracting and retaining inter-provincial and international immigrants is essential to population growth to increase the number of entrepreneurs, and to renew the labour force. We believe that the analysis of the One Nova Scotia commission applies to the rest of the region.

Labour market performance is a key determinant of prosperity. Smart labour market policies can reduce the prevalence and depth of poverty while helping to drive economic growth. Among the most important labour market challenges facing the Atlantic region is an aging population. Currently, the region has consistently low participation rates. AIMS wishes to respond to the issues of labour and immigration, in a formative way, by increasing its research efforts and focus on these two areas.

POLICY PAPERS & OP-ED COMMENTARIES

 

Dearth of Opportunity: Tax Burden and Youth Outmigration in Atlantic Canada

Young residents of all four Atlantic provinces have made clear for decades that the best economic opportunities lie outside their home province. For every year since 1985-1986, more young people in their early 20s moved out of each Atlantic province than moved into it from elsewhere in Canada. Over the ...
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/ / AIMS, Economic Development, economics, Immigration, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Policy Papers

Revisiting the Minimum Wage in Atlantic Canada

Legislating further increases to the minimum wage would likely worsen youth unemployment in Atlantic Canada. Evidence shows that minimum wages price low-skilled persons out of work and reduce the opportunity for training and experience among young people. Given these effects, raising the wage floor is bad policy. New research published ...
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/ / Labour Market, Policy Papers

The Road Ahead: Options for Reforming Registry Service Delivery

Halifax, NS / St John’s, NL – As governments around the world face harsh budgetary and demographic challenges, a study released today by the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) says Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are on the right track when considering registry reforms as a viable economic ...
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/ / Economic Development, Labour Market, Op-ed, Policy Papers

The 99% Solution

The “occupation” campaign has heightened awareness concerning income distribution in developed and emerging economies around the world. Critics of the campaign argue that, with no apparent leadership or clear demands, it is a poorly-conceived ‘grump-fest’. Sympathizers assert that it is a grassroots expression of disapproval of a further income skew ...
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/ / History of Economic Thought, International Affairs, Labour Market, Policy Papers

Young Love

With an aging population, low birth and immigration rates, and ‘brain drain’, Atlantic Canada faces major challenges for business and economic growth.  Gen Y’ers unique characteristics, such as adept use of technology and project-oriented attachment in the workforce, may be the key to revitalizing the Atlantic Canadian economy. In this ...
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/ / Economic Development, Education, Labour Market, Policy Papers
MEDIA MENTIONS

 

Minimum Wage Study (Matthew Lau and Marco Navarro-Génie) quoted in article

An article in The Globe and Mail references AIMS's paper “Revisiting the Minimum Wage in Atlantic Canada.” Co-authors Marco Navarro-Génie and Matthew Lau discuss the issues surrounding the " loss of training opportunities caused ...
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Marco Navarro-Génie quoted in Minimum Wage article (French)

An article in the Acadie-Nouvelle in New Brunswick discusses AIMS's paper, "Revisiting the Minimum Wage in Atlantic Canada." Co-Author Marco Navarro-Génie says that higher minimum wages "won't reduce poverty. It ...
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Marco Navarro-Génie on the Sheldon MacLeod Show: The Minimum Wage

[audio src="http://www.aims.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Sheldon-Marco-Minimum-Wage.mp3" /] On July 19, 2017, AIMS President & CEO Marco Navarro-Génie appeared on News 95.7's Sheldon MacLeod Show to discuss the minimum wage. He is co-author of the ...
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New Brunswick’s Magic Weed?

“It’s simple market dynamics,” says OrganiGram’s Ray Gracewood. “Many recreational users now purchase within the black market, so our industry challenge will be providing a safer, more consistent and better-packaged product ...
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