An excellent piece and again I regret that as a country we wound up with Trudeau et al and not you. Your laser like focus on tax reduction and the need to restructure our country, get rid of internal trade barriers and create an environment friendly to investment is spot on. I have one small grievance with this piece. When we reduce taxes we also need to cut costs. The explosive growth of the federal and provincial bureaucracies over the past 10 years has to be reversed. Otherwise the tax cuts will simply lead to more borrowing. Doubling our debt load in the past 10 years is in my humble opinion just as dire a situation as our taxation.
Well said. We had a plan for that too. Attrition and a serious talk about OAS. The Liberals never should have reversed our reforms. You can see my Substack on that issue if you like. Thanks for the comments.
The Canadian government has spent a great deal in the last few years. If tax cuts are the right medicine (and I think they may be), which government programs can be cut so the deficit does not balloon more than it already has?
Nice piece. Would have liked to have seen some context in regards to Trump's major issue with trade deficits, as well how to compare our tax rates to a country that has no problem with huge multiyear deficits.
Can't believe that you didn'tpass the Byrne/Pollievre purity test.
Firstly Erin, I recognize your respect and maturity in commenting on the dedication and contribution made by Federal ministers no matter the party they represent. It's unfortunate that Jennie Bryne is such a toddler, lobbying for big business and on the PP team. (It doesn't look good.)
I agree, Canada should focus on interprovincial trade and more trade with other countries. There are far too many barriers to trade and people movement between provinces. Every province should adopt the 'Red Seal' program used in construction allowing unencumbered movement of trades across the country.
The world is changing and yesterday's solutions - including the neoclassical economic theories - promoted by Thatcher/Regan/Mulroney (libertarians/big business) - have enlarged the economic divide between the wealthy and the working class. Today's citizen hardship and discontent is economic. Monopolies in Canada have increased consumer pricing while raking-in huge profits. Canada needs policy limiting monopolies and taxing huge profits.
Most folks are likely unaware of the amount of land owned by foreign interests - especially AG land. Check-out ownership of livestock/meat processing in Canada. You may be surprised about the monopolies and the fact they are US companies. This is a huge impact on food supply and pricing. This is a seriously unattended issue. Corporate ownership of land (PE) is also impacting the lack of affordable housing. (There are at least a dozen influences on the current lack of affordable housing - which is also a problem in the US, UK and other countries. This explanation would take a few pages.)
This country is also at a point of infrastructure fatigue and renewal is required across this country. Be clear - this obligation is typically Provincial/Municipal - which has now resulted in significant municipal Development Charges (DDC) exacerbating the price of housing. However, working together the 3 levels of government should use taxes to fund infrastructure renewal which would result in significant employment for many and the many also pay taxes - a virtuous cycle - positive. And it would lower the costs of housing.
Canadian natural resources can/should be further processed and deployed across Canada. Creating employment and customers. (Please note - as much of the political flavour today is 'hate Trudeau' just recall this idea has been/is promoted - hence the TransMountain pipeline recently built.) While Canada can/should/are pursuing alternative energy industry production (except for AB) this places Canada in the innovation mode. Given there are 6000 products currently sourced from O&G Canada can/should be innovating replacements. This innovation would be sought after worldwide.
The comparison of Canada/US is interesting on many levels but most forget the dollar value difference - which immediately makes doing business in the US more expensive and Canada more Attractive.
There has been much mention about Canada's military investment. Tax dollars are used for this. Investing in defence also enables Canadian enterprises supplying military equipment which causes employment - which results in taxes. Again, the whole picture. When tax dollars invest in Canada, innovation responds, people are employed, both corporate and individual tax dollars are collected and redeployed.
Really, let's start thinking like enabled adults and while we have a big & influential neighbour, we also have an impressive country, population, smarts and history.
When you ran in the last election ( full disclosure I vote Liberal) I was not terrified that we would lose our country if the Conservatives had their turn - it is the way politics goes in this country. With the over throw of the Progressive Conservatives by this Canadian maga and the election of DT I do find myself extremely worried about our future. I am hoping we find a Liz Chaney in this country to appeal to the rational thinkers that remain in the progressive conservative movement. It will take great courage but as a former military person I assume you have that. Please consider standing up for Canada!
If the party had kept you as a leader, it would have my vote. But instead, I’ve had to choose between an idiot (Trudeau) and a charlatan (Poilievre). At the very least, I’m hoping a competent and less polarizing liberal leader (assuming Carney) will force the CPC platform back to data and policy rather than idiotic tribalism meant to rile up the rubes.
The more I know the more I don't want to know! Thank-you sir for sharing this important summary of information.
Interesting, well written and useful.
Interesting and insightful. But you need to employ a proofreader. The spelling and grammatical errors detract from an otherwise convincing essay.
An excellent piece and again I regret that as a country we wound up with Trudeau et al and not you. Your laser like focus on tax reduction and the need to restructure our country, get rid of internal trade barriers and create an environment friendly to investment is spot on. I have one small grievance with this piece. When we reduce taxes we also need to cut costs. The explosive growth of the federal and provincial bureaucracies over the past 10 years has to be reversed. Otherwise the tax cuts will simply lead to more borrowing. Doubling our debt load in the past 10 years is in my humble opinion just as dire a situation as our taxation.
Well said. We had a plan for that too. Attrition and a serious talk about OAS. The Liberals never should have reversed our reforms. You can see my Substack on that issue if you like. Thanks for the comments.
The Canadian government has spent a great deal in the last few years. If tax cuts are the right medicine (and I think they may be), which government programs can be cut so the deficit does not balloon more than it already has?
Lower taxes and reducing the national debt would be helpful along with cutting back on inefficient Federal programs.
Nice piece. Would have liked to have seen some context in regards to Trump's major issue with trade deficits, as well how to compare our tax rates to a country that has no problem with huge multiyear deficits.
Can't believe that you didn'tpass the Byrne/Pollievre purity test.
Firstly Erin, I recognize your respect and maturity in commenting on the dedication and contribution made by Federal ministers no matter the party they represent. It's unfortunate that Jennie Bryne is such a toddler, lobbying for big business and on the PP team. (It doesn't look good.)
I agree, Canada should focus on interprovincial trade and more trade with other countries. There are far too many barriers to trade and people movement between provinces. Every province should adopt the 'Red Seal' program used in construction allowing unencumbered movement of trades across the country.
The world is changing and yesterday's solutions - including the neoclassical economic theories - promoted by Thatcher/Regan/Mulroney (libertarians/big business) - have enlarged the economic divide between the wealthy and the working class. Today's citizen hardship and discontent is economic. Monopolies in Canada have increased consumer pricing while raking-in huge profits. Canada needs policy limiting monopolies and taxing huge profits.
Most folks are likely unaware of the amount of land owned by foreign interests - especially AG land. Check-out ownership of livestock/meat processing in Canada. You may be surprised about the monopolies and the fact they are US companies. This is a huge impact on food supply and pricing. This is a seriously unattended issue. Corporate ownership of land (PE) is also impacting the lack of affordable housing. (There are at least a dozen influences on the current lack of affordable housing - which is also a problem in the US, UK and other countries. This explanation would take a few pages.)
This country is also at a point of infrastructure fatigue and renewal is required across this country. Be clear - this obligation is typically Provincial/Municipal - which has now resulted in significant municipal Development Charges (DDC) exacerbating the price of housing. However, working together the 3 levels of government should use taxes to fund infrastructure renewal which would result in significant employment for many and the many also pay taxes - a virtuous cycle - positive. And it would lower the costs of housing.
Canadian natural resources can/should be further processed and deployed across Canada. Creating employment and customers. (Please note - as much of the political flavour today is 'hate Trudeau' just recall this idea has been/is promoted - hence the TransMountain pipeline recently built.) While Canada can/should/are pursuing alternative energy industry production (except for AB) this places Canada in the innovation mode. Given there are 6000 products currently sourced from O&G Canada can/should be innovating replacements. This innovation would be sought after worldwide.
The comparison of Canada/US is interesting on many levels but most forget the dollar value difference - which immediately makes doing business in the US more expensive and Canada more Attractive.
There has been much mention about Canada's military investment. Tax dollars are used for this. Investing in defence also enables Canadian enterprises supplying military equipment which causes employment - which results in taxes. Again, the whole picture. When tax dollars invest in Canada, innovation responds, people are employed, both corporate and individual tax dollars are collected and redeployed.
Really, let's start thinking like enabled adults and while we have a big & influential neighbour, we also have an impressive country, population, smarts and history.
When you ran in the last election ( full disclosure I vote Liberal) I was not terrified that we would lose our country if the Conservatives had their turn - it is the way politics goes in this country. With the over throw of the Progressive Conservatives by this Canadian maga and the election of DT I do find myself extremely worried about our future. I am hoping we find a Liz Chaney in this country to appeal to the rational thinkers that remain in the progressive conservative movement. It will take great courage but as a former military person I assume you have that. Please consider standing up for Canada!
If the party had kept you as a leader, it would have my vote. But instead, I’ve had to choose between an idiot (Trudeau) and a charlatan (Poilievre). At the very least, I’m hoping a competent and less polarizing liberal leader (assuming Carney) will force the CPC platform back to data and policy rather than idiotic tribalism meant to rile up the rubes.