All Publications
Don’t buy the government’s rosy projections—Canada’s fiscal outlook is not a pretty picture
As published in The Hub After a challenging 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland head into the new year facing significant pressure to test further the reach of the federal government’s balance sheet. Just to stay […]
It’s time for Canadians to get over our collective aversion to the word ‘productivity’
As published in the Toronto Star It’s time for Canadians to get over our collective aversion to the word ‘productivity.’ For a couple of decades now, any mention of the concept has been met with disdain, mainly because the conventional […]
Strengthening the economy in 2024
For the latest research, analysis and perspective on business and policy in Canada, sign up for our newsletter today. Dear Friends, When I wrote to you in September, this newsletter included a short survey. We asked you to tell us what you […]
As EU leaders visit Newfoundland, the message is clear: It’s time to step up, Canada
As published in The Hub Today, Canada will wrap up a two-day Canada-EU Leaders Summit in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the first such meeting since June 2021. Given the strategic importance of Canada’s relationship with the EU, Canadians should pay close […]
Enhancing Canada-Europe Ties in a Changing Global Landscape
As published in The Centre for International Policy Studies At the centre of the Canada-EU political and economic relationship is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Since entering into force in September 2017, CETA has been credited with boosting trade […]
An oil and gas cap is no solution to Canada’s slow climate progress
As published in The Hub Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s climate policy is at a watershed. As concerns mount over the pace of progress toward Canada’s aggressive emissions reduction targets—most recently from the country’s environment commissioner—there are growing worries the government […]
An apology to the next generation: Sorry, your living standards might be lower
As published in The Globe and Mail Whenever I speak with young Canadians, I begin with an apology. I tell them I’m genuinely sorry that my generation may be the first in Canadian history to leave the country in worse […]
Ottawa needs to step up to make Indigenous economic reconciliation a reality
As published in the Toronto Star Fred Di Blasio is a walking, talking embodiment of where economic reconciliation is at right now. He is an Indigenous investment banker armed with lots of personal experience, good will and a solid board […]
Don’t exclude oil and gas from Indigenous loan guarantees
As published in The Financial Post In the past 11 years, Indigenous nations have obtained more than $10 billion in equity in major resource projects across Canada. The bulk of these projects have been in utility assets, but about 40 […]
The Liberal bill to bolster competition is a Trojan horse of bad policy
As published in The Globe and Mail There’s nothing that stifles competitive business more than bad regulation and policy uncertainty. The recently unveiled federal legislation, Bill C-56, saddles us with both. Ottawa wants Canadians to think the bill will improve […]