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Economy at work

The hidden cost of balanced budgets: Rising household debt

Since the mid-1990s, policy at all levels of government across Canada has been shaped by the guiding principle of reducing government debt. This is why, especially around election time, you’ll often hear politicians talk about “balancing the budget” or “fiscal responsibility.”The 2025 federal election was no exception.

Economy at work

Higher income inequality leads to shorter life expectancy

Recent academic research by Canadian economists finds that higher levels of income inequality after 1996 have led to shorter life expectancies across Canadian provinces, with the effect being more pronounced for men. While this relationship has been established in the United States and other countries for many years, this is the first paper to find this effect in Canada.

Economy at work

Operation Profit

A recent report by the Parkland Institute in Alberta shows that most for-profit surgical facilities have significantly higher costs for the same procedures as public hospitals, and these costs have been growing faster than the average rate of inflation.

Average tariff rates

Economy at work

Tariff Timeline and Update

If you’re struggling to keep up with the latest in US tariff announcements, you’re not alone! The Budget Lab at Yale University has put out a chart showing the dramatic shifts in US tariff policy since Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. They point out that these dramatic shifts have increased economic policy uncertainty for businesses operating in the United States.

Employment Insurance changes in response to US tariff war

The federal government is making three changes to Employment Insurance (EI) in order to support workers in the context of a US tariff war. These changes eliminate the one-week waiting period before workers can collect EI, stop severance and vacation pay affecting EI benefits, and make it easier for workers to qualify for EI. A more detailed description of the changes is included below.

CUPE-SCFP - Unifor

Unifor – CUPE Joint Statement

Canada’s largest public and private sector unions stand united against attacks on Canadian workers initiated by the United States Administration’s escalating trade and investment war.

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Developing our energy sovereignty through public investment

The current political landscape has clearly demonstrated that Canada’s energy sovereignty from the United States is a key part of our economic independence.

Economy at work

Economic Directions

Get the latest updates on economic growth, jobs, wages, inflation and interest rates, all in one place.

Canada and United States flags

Economy at work

Can removing interprovincial trade barriers protect the economy from Trump’s tariffs?

In the face of US President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff threats, Canadian premiers and federal politicians are calling for a reduction of internal trade barriers. Many claim Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) could grow by hundreds of billions of dollars simply by removing regulatory barriers.

Economy at work

New Liberal leader backpedals on party promise to tax the rich

Recent progress made on tax fairness is at risk of being rolled back. During the leadership race, new Liberal Party leader Mark Carney announced he would not go ahead with changes to the capital gains tax announced in the 2024 federal budget. This decision will reduce government revenue at a critical time and make the tax system less fair for workers.