Policy Perspectives

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 - Policy Perspectives

Long-term export underperformance underscores the need to address Canada’s and B.C.’s competitiveness problems

Long-term export underperformance underscores the need to address Canada’s and B.C.’s competitiveness problems

New analysis from the Business Council of B.C. shows that Canada’s and B.C.’s share of exports has…

February 14, 2022 - Policy Perspectives

The work from home phenomenon - will it stick?

The work from home phenomenon - will it stick?

Across much of the developed world, COVID-19 has led to hundreds of millions of people working…

September 08, 2021 - Policy Perspectives

Low productivity growth is holding back Canadians' pay growth

Low productivity growth is holding back Canadians' pay growth

Productivity and Pay in Canada: Growing Together, Only Slower than Ever, authored by Dr. David…

July 08, 2021 - Policy Perspectives

Canada's unexploded debt bomb continues to tick

Canada's unexploded debt bomb continues to tick

Highlights Canada is the world’s 6th most indebted jurisdiction, owing around 3½ times GDP, and…

March 11, 2021 - Policy Perspectives

- COVID-19

"Off-the-books" economic activity in B.C.: Who's not paying their fair share?

"Off-the-books" economic activity in B.C.: Who's not paying their fair share?

Highlights British Columbia has the dubious honour of being home to Canada’s sketchiest economy.…

January 06, 2021 - Policy Perspectives

A Remarkable Roller Coaster Ride for B.C.'s Job Market in 2020

A Remarkable Roller Coaster Ride for B.C.'s Job Market in 2020

Highlights Since February the number of people working in the province tumbled by 400,000 in two…

September 16, 2020 - Policy Perspectives

- COVID-19

Long term priorities for Canada’s post-pandemic economy

Long term priorities for Canada’s post-pandemic economy

2 Minute Brief The COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered the immediate priorities for Canadian…

March 19, 2020 - Policy Perspectives

- COVID-19

Hey Big Spender: B.C.'s Changing but Vibrant Retail Sector

Hey Big Spender: B.C.'s Changing but Vibrant Retail Sector

2-Minute Brief Our review of industry statistics suggests that despite weak employment growth, the…

December 19, 2019 - Policy Perspectives

It's Becoming More Costly and Complex to do Business in B.C.

It's Becoming More Costly and Complex to do Business in B.C.

2-Minute Brief: The tax burden on B.C. businesses has increased significantly in recent years. This…

July 30, 2019 - Policy Perspectives

- Smart Tax

The Ease of Doing Hidden Business in Canada and B.C.

The Ease of Doing Hidden Business in Canada and B.C.

Also see this accompanying article: B.C.’s shadow economy has surged since the reversion to…

April 11, 2019 - Policy Perspectives

- Smart Tax

Growing Grey: Fiscal Policy Amid an Aging Population

Growing Grey: Fiscal Policy Amid an Aging Population

As the population ages and more people exit the workforce than naturally enter it, policy-makers…

November 05, 2018 - Policy Perspectives