David Williams

Canada’s 1m job vacancies are mostly in entry-level, low-wage positions

Canada’s 1m job vacancies are mostly in entry-level, low-wage positions

Ottawa is abuzz these days with talk of Canada’s “labour shortages.” Overheated economies tend to…

January 30, 2023 - Insights

Opinion: Canada’s economy enters 2023 with serious structural weaknesses

Opinion: Canada’s economy enters 2023 with serious structural weaknesses

The year 2022 will be remembered as the “Great Reinflation.” Most advanced countries including…

January 09, 2023 - Insights

As interest rates rise, Canada's unexploded debt bomb ticks louder

As interest rates rise, Canada's unexploded debt bomb ticks louder

In April, business leaders across Canada lamented that the federal government’s policies in recent…

November 25, 2022 - Insights

Incomplete, superficial and unbalanced: Assessing Canada’s “economic recovery” since the pandemic

Incomplete, superficial and unbalanced: Assessing Canada’s “economic recovery” since the pandemic

The Trudeau government’s 2022 Fall Economic Statement triumphantly claims on page 6 that “Canada’s…

November 16, 2022 - Insights

A reality check on the Federal Government’s Fall Economic Statement

A reality check on the Federal Government’s Fall Economic Statement

The Trudeau Government’s 2022 Fall Economic Statement makes the following dubious claim (page 27):…

November 07, 2022 - Insights

How does B.C.’s labour productivity growth compare with other provinces and countries?

How does B.C.’s labour productivity growth compare with other provinces and countries?

The OECD projects Canada will be the worst performing economy among 38 advanced economies over both…

October 19, 2022 - Insights

Hey big spender! Municipal spending growth across Metro Vancouver exceeds population growth and inflation

Hey big spender! Municipal spending growth across Metro Vancouver exceeds population growth and inflation

Municipal governments are responsible for local transportation and road networks, water and sewer…

October 06, 2022 - Reports & Research

Where does taxpayers' money go? It's hard to say. Canada and B.C. governments receive failing grades on fiscal transparency

Where does taxpayers' money go? It's hard to say. Canada and B.C. governments receive failing grades on fiscal transparency

Canadians pay a lot of taxes: personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, sales taxes, carbon…

September 26, 2022 - Insights

The calm before the storm – Canadian household debt servicing ratios are set to rise

The calm before the storm – Canadian household debt servicing ratios are set to rise

Canadian households are among the most indebted in the world (Williams, 2021a). They should brace…

September 21, 2022 - Insights

Taking stock of British Columbia's capital stock

Taking stock of British Columbia's capital stock

The accumulation of productive capital is a sure path to prosperity and higher average living…

September 01, 2022 - Reports & Research

What’s driving the growth in B.C.’s public sector infrastructure capital stock?

What’s driving the growth in B.C.’s public sector infrastructure capital stock?

A series of BCBC publications have examined long-run trends in capital investment (Williams 2022a),…

August 16, 2022 - Insights

Examining growth in B.C.’s infrastructure capital stock – where is the private sector?

Examining growth in B.C.’s infrastructure capital stock – where is the private sector?

Recent issues of BCBC’s Policy Perspectives examined trends in British Columbia’s investment per…

August 15, 2022 - Insights