Alberta’s personal income tax rate hikes will likely bring in $1.7 billion less than expected
The Alberta government will likely receive $1.7 billion less than expected from its personal income tax rate hikes, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan think-tank. The study, Alberta’s Personal Income Tax Increases Likely to Yield Less Revenue than Expected, calculates the ...
Knotweed Infestations = Higher Taxes and Lower Property Values
Dumping of knotweed cuttings just spreads the problem -- they can take root. Knotweed and other noxious weeds are accepted free of charge at landfills -- so please take your cuttings there; don't spread knotweed infestations around the countryside. Invasive knotweed has been accurately described as the plant that is eating...
BC automobile insurance giant makes 2015 basic rate application
In prepared statement, (Insurance Corporation of BC) ICBC will submit the remainder of its 2015 basic rate application Thursday with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), asking for a 5.5 per cent increase to basic insurance rates – lower than the earlier potential for 6.7 per cent. ICBC said in the release, if ...
Controlling spending in good times would have meant $4.4 billion surplus today—not $5 billion-plus deficit
Had the Alberta government increased spending more prudently over the past decade, the province would today enjoy a surplus, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “The view that falling oil prices are chiefly to blame for Alberta’s deficit is...
Business Walk 2015: Taking the Pulse of Local Business
By Terry Van Horn The Lower Columbia Region’s first Business Walk event is taking place this month during Small Business Week. The Business Walk enables elected officials and economic development partners to take the pulse of downtown areas by connecting face to face with businesses. Representatives from the Ministry, City ...
Interior Health Board announces Mazurkewich as new CEO
Interior Health announced Tuesday that Chris Mazurkewich has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer for Interior Health, effective October 26. Erwin Malzer, Chair of the Interior Health Board of Directors, made the announcement in a media release. “With a wealth of Canadian health system experience, a broad ...
More students deciding independent schools better than public
Private school enrolment across Canada is up by almost 17 per cent while public school enrolment has decreased eight per cent, according to a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study, Where Our Students are Educated: Measuring Student Enrolment...
Failed government policies ultimate cause of Ontario’s dismal fiscal, economic performance
The roots of Ontario’s decline from economic powerhouse to economic laggard can be found in a decade of failed government policies, concludes a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “For decades, Ontario was the economic engine of Canada with workers...
Brad Bennett appointed new chair of BC Hydro
Premier Christy Clark announced Wednesday the appointment of Brad Bennett to the position of chair of the BC Hydro board of directors. Bennett replaces outgoing chair Stephen Bellringer, whose term expires on Sept. 30, 2015. “Brad Bennett's longstanding passion for reliable, affordable electricity has served the BC Hydro...
Atco Tree Planters Help Break World Record; Editor Gets Opinionated
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) and its partners across North America set a new Guinness World Records title, planting 202,935 trees in one hour. SFI partnered with 29 teams of 25-100 people each to plant trees in locations from New York City to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Organized by SFI, the effort...