Tag: GDP

How Canada Can Win the Economic War With The US

President Trump has announced tariffs of 25% on all imports from Canada, except for oil, where the tariff is only 10%. Some of President Trump’s musings also include the idea of an economic war which will lead to Canada begging to join the US as the “51st State”.

Canadian politicians have responded by counter tariffs, exposing their lack of imagination. In such a trade war, Canada cannot win.

An alternative approach would be to build Canada’s domestic economy. Continue reading “How Canada Can Win the Economic War With The US”

Trump’s Achievements

No president has divided public opinion more than Donald Trump. Many find him personally obnoxious, irresponsible and harmful to the U.S. and the world. His supporters however, see him as a breath of fresh air who is “making America great again”.

Personally, I am not an admirer of Trump but I think that it is beneficial to play the “devil’s advocate” and try to look at his record in his first two years in as positive light as possible. Continue reading “Trump’s Achievements”

The Cost of Opposition to Resource Development

The Financial Post identified $129 BILLION of resource projects which are held up by:

  • Environmentalists
  • First Nations

What is the cost to the economy of these delays? In this blog I will try to quantify the cost of this to the Canadian economy (as measured by its GDP) over the next 20 years. Continue reading “The Cost of Opposition to Resource Development”

Can Raising the Minimum Wage Boost the Economy?

There has been much discussion about raising the minimum wage, with proponents claiming it will improve the lives of the working poor and reduce “inequality” and opponents claiming it will reduce employment, making the poor worse off.

Classical economic theory claims that raising the minimum wage (or instituting it where there is none) will lower employment.

Closer examination suggests that a higher minimum wage will lead to increased inflation, some job losses, increased economic growth and reduced inequality. Continue reading “Can Raising the Minimum Wage Boost the Economy?”