There is great social mobility in Canada, both from one generation to the next and within individuals’ own lives.

The public debate on budget austerity is very far removed from the way this concept is defined and studied in economics. The term “austerity” is most often used to refer to an amalgam of budgetary and tax measures aiming to balance the budget, without differentiating between these measures and their varied effects. This Economic Note provides an overview of the contributions of academic research regarding the effectiveness of different ways of balancing the budget.

The effects of the heavier tax burden placed on mutual funds compared to other investment vehicles.

The varied effects of different “austerity” measures aimed at balancing the budget.

The popular use, and abuse, of the word “austerity.”

With rising life expectancy, saving for retirement is becoming increasingly important. Government programs like RRSPs and TFSAs encourage Canadians to save by allowing them to shelter certain portions of their incomes from taxation. Governments undermine this objective, though, by excessively inflating mutual fund management fees with sales taxes.

Restrictions on the sale of beer in Canada.

The fate of the poorest members of our society is rightly a recurring subject of concern in economic debates. Certain statements commonly heard can, however, give the impression that there are a lot of low-income people in Canada, and that for the majority of them, poverty is a permanent state. This perception is actually contrary to the observed facts. As we shall see, the results of the available research are clear: Social mobility is high in Canada.

Publication of the book Anti-Piketty: Vive le Capital au XXIe siècle!, by Libréchange editions.

The shipping industry and the Greek economy.