Posts

The Centre Block of Parliament Hill, where Spring Economic Update 2026 was tabled

Federal Spring Economic Update 2026 offers incremental tax, business growth measures

When Mark Carney came to power in March 2025, the Liberal party’s continued minority status in Parliament necessitated compromise with the opposition parties to ensure passage of key legislation such as budget bills. But a funny thing happened about a year later: a series of MP floor crossings and three by-election wins delivered a majority […]

Queen's Park where the 2026 Ontario Budget was tabled

2026 Ontario Budget offers small business tax cut as economic storm clouds loom

The Ford government is no stranger to economic uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a near-catastrophic economic shock, then inflation, before unexpected tariff threats from South of the Border last year generated damaging new headwinds. While trade issues with the U.S. are ongoing, the conflict in Iran presents yet another new complication that could impair economic […]

Queen's Park in Toronto where the 2025 Budget was tabled in the legislature

2025 Ontario Budget features tariff relief and a deficit nearly 10x greater than expected

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been the first minister most visibly and vocally opposed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff program. Ford has continually done the rounds on U.S. cable TV, making the case for continued economic cooperation between our two countries and warning of the cross-border economic implications of a trade war. He promised […]

2024 Fall Economic Statement and business friendly measures

2024 Fall Economic Statement sees deficit skyrocket, introduces business-friendly measures

Canadians were gifted far more excitement than anticipated yesterday as they awaited the tabling of the pre-holiday 2024 Fall Economic Statement. While they may have expected a grossly inflated deficit (correct) and a raft of new measures designed to save the Trudeau Liberals’ sinking fortunes (correct once again), few would have predicted the abrupt resignation […]

Queen's Park in Toronto, where the 2024 Fall Economic Statement was tabled

2024 Ontario Fall Economic Statement promises $200 rebates, projects better fiscal outlook

The Ontario government yesterday tabled the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, notable for a sunnier fiscal outlook than expected and a promise to line the pockets of Ontarians in advance of a potential early election in 2025. On the fiscal front, the Ford government was eager to share news that the provincial deficit for the 2024-25 […]

Parliament Hill in Ottawa after Budget 2024 was delivered

Federal Budget 2024 raises capital gains inclusion rates, continues major deficit spending

The raft of ambitious new federal spending commitments in the lead up to Budget 2024 were designed to position the Trudeau government as being a step ahead of challenges such as affordability, the national housing shortage and Canada’s woeful economic productivity. Many of these announcements were also drafted to woo critical Generation Z and Millennial voters […]

Queen's Park in Toronto where the 2024 Ontario Budget was presented in March

2024 Ontario Budget spends big on infrastructure as province’s fiscal health weakens

If last year’s budget was about restraint, the prevailing theme at Queen’s Park yesterday was that the $214 billion 2024 Ontario Budget  was one designed with fiscal balance in mind. Specifically, Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives made it clear leading up to the budget announcement that while they weren’t prepared to make particularly ambitious new spending […]

Analyzing the 2023 Ontario budget with Toronto skyline in view

2023 Ontario budget warns of economic uncertainty as province’s fiscal health improves

Compared to the 2022 edition, the 2023 Ontario budget is relatively restrained in its spending commitments. That’s due in large part to what various members of Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government have been eager to signal in the lead-up to budget day: that we’re living in a period of economic uncertainty. Queen’s Park is pulling in […]

Fall Economic Statement discussed in Toronto business district

Fall Economic Statement 2022 pledges fiscal responsibility while delivering new spending

Inflation remains stubbornly high, holiday season labour shortages are likely to cause havoc for some businesses and the Canadian economy is probably headed into at least a minor recession in early 2023. These headwinds aside, the federal government promised another $22.1 billion in new program spending while pledging greater fiscal responsibility in yesterday’s Fall Economic […]

person holding a maple leaf after Fiscal and Economic update 2021

Federal Fiscal and Economic Update 2021: Few gifts (or lumps of coal) for business

The federal government tabled its Fiscal and Economic Update 2021 last week and the business community across Canada wondered if it had been all but forgotten. The update was heavy on COVID-19 relief spending and made direct references to the potential uncertainty ahead—including the looming economic impact of the omicron coronavirus variant, global supply chain […]