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Canadians could have a balanced budget and better tax system: C.D. Howe Institute Shadow Budget

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

Beyond reducing the debt burden to a level that is prudent and more fair to younger Canadians, the authors advocate tax changes to reward work and investment… The Shadow Budget proposes restoring the GST to 7 percent over time, lowering the rate for the middle personal income tax bracket to 15 percent in 2027, and lowering the general corporate income tax rate by one percentage point in 2025 and another in 2026.

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Cure for the Public Debt Pandemic: An Economic-Principles-Based Fiscal Anchor

Friday, February 2nd, 2024

… we don’t have a textbook fiscal policy but rather a counter-recession and pro-expansion debt policy… over a business cycle, the net accumulation of public debt should be equal to the value of income-generating investments. This anchor would fluctuate with changes in business conditions but would guide policymakers to maintain the tight relationship of its two parts over time… We can call this anchor “net economic public debt.”

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Understanding The Scope Of Private Healthcare In Canada

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

“The goal of this paper is not to argue either for or against private healthcare… It is simply to clarify what is meant by ‘private’ healthcare, and to explain the different ways provincial legislation currently permits or prohibits aspects of private healthcare. I also discuss the supply and demand side variables… and… offer an analysis of the relationship between provincial healthcare legislation and the Canada Health Act, with reference to the expansion of private healthcare in Canada.”

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National Pharmacare – Time to Get on With It

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

National pharmacare is overdue. In 21st century healthcare, drugs are not a luxury nor a discretionary add-on. They are an essential part of healthcare delivery that should be covered universally. Canadians have already waited too long, and far too many of them don’t get the medication they need to stay healthy and manage chronic disease. The federal government can act as a catalyst by making a credible and responsible financial commitment… to improve public plan coverage.

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National Pharmacare – Time to Get on With It

Friday, November 3rd, 2023

The federal government can act as a catalyst by making a credible and responsible financial commitment that opens the door to joint work with provinces and territories to improve public plan coverage. The PEI agreement is a good model and federal legislation can help to create a positive foundation for collaboration. The political window to move things forward is open, but not for long.

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Shortcomings in Seniors’ Care: How Canada Compares to its Peers and the Paths to Improvement

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

Overall, Canada ranks 8th out of 11 countries included in the survey… While Canada generally performs well in the care process category, it performs poorly in terms of access to care and equity, with no provinces reaching the international average in either category. Addressing access challenges for seniors through improved continuity of care, affordability and reducing wait times would improve Canada’s rank.

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How we can actually achieve national pharmacare – Hill Times Op-Ed

Sunday, September 17th, 2023

A national public single payer drug plan… implementation requires massive administrative changes and costs… there are two other models that would work. Social insurance has been used in Canada and in many countries that have broader, higher quality universal health systems, most at lower per capita costs. A second, more targeted approach is a portable health benefit plan which uses a similar mixed funding model to help workers with no health insurance. 

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Nightmarish Commercial Simply Wrong: Healthcare Outsourcing is not Privatization

Friday, July 14th, 2023

The government of Ontario should think about how to contract for insured services with private clinics without causing staffing problems for traditional providers, but should  begin experimenting with this model in the specialties and places where the prospects seem most promising. And it should carefully monitor outcomes.

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An Unparalleled and Urgent Task Faces Premiers Next Week

Friday, July 7th, 2023

At the top of the list is helping the 6.5 million people without access to primary care… Equally urgent is the need to beef up home and community care to make it possible for our rapidly aging population to age both well and where they want to, whether in their own homes or in a community setting. These actions on primary and senior care would ease the pressure on beleaguered hospitals and their emergency rooms.

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Where are the Early Childhood Educators?

Monday, June 26th, 2023

Instead of creating more spaces that may end up unfilled, provincial governments need to prioritize funding on ECE attraction and retention. They need to raise wages, encourage career pathways for ECEs, and fast-track foreign credential recognition. They also need to improve working conditions and offer comprehensive work benefits.

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