Equalization was designed to give cash to economically weaker provinces so that they would have total revenues that are comparable to a representative Canadian average. And at that task, the program works remarkably well. In doing so, however, the program…

The release of a number of reports by the federal Romanow Commission has exposed its two-pronged public relations strategy: First, deny that there is a problem. Second, tag the provinces (especially Alberta) as the bad guys in health care reform….

In this the third paper in AIMS’ Equalization Series, author Kenneth J. Boessenkool discusses how equalization, although noble in intent, actually creates incentives for less-developed provinces to raise taxes and overtax their citizens. “Taxing Incentives: How equalization distorts tax policy in recipient…

The federal equalization program — which distributes dollars to poorer provinces based on their ability to raise revenues — is rather simple in theory and noble in intent. According to the Canadian Constitution, equalization exists to “ensure that provincial governments…

The federal equalization program — which distributes dollars to poorer provinces based on their ability to raise revenues — is rather simple in theory and noble in intent. According to the Canadian Constitution, equalization exists to “ensure that provincial governments…