Ken Boessenkool

May 5th 2021 - Economics - The Hub

Ken Boessenkool: The good, the bad and the opportunity in the federal child care plan

The good, the bad and the opportunity in the federal child care plan Provinces should now counter federal aspirations with their own ideas Canada’s child care infrastructure is far from neat and tidy, but it does have an overarching logic…

January 5th 2021 - Economics - The Line

The Liberals need have faith that their carbon tax will do its job.

The headlines following the newest federal government climate plan were all about the carbon tax rising $15 per tonne per year starting in 2023 and reaching $170 per tonne by 2030. This plan was widely praised as bold and ambitious.

June 30th 2020 - Economics - First Policy Response

Public confidence and the COVID-19 economy

If you open it, will they come? Most of Canada is now in various phases of reopening and the question many businesses will be asking is not, “Can I open?” but rather, “Should I open?” This won’t be an easy…

June 11th 2020 - Economics - First Policy Response

Supply-side shocks of COVID-19 could linger for years

It’s now a trope to point out that the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. Populations around the world responded to the threat of COVID-19 by changing their behaviour and governments moved in to reinforce those behaviours with varying levels of “stay…

May 29th 2020 - Economics - CD Howe Institute

Supply-side Shocks and the COVID Economic Recovery

How should governments help the economy emerge from the COVID recession? Conventional responses are not designed for this – no amount of monetary or broad-based fiscal stimulus will open up middle seats on planes, eliminate childcare constraints on primary caregivers…