A Crisis of Capital: Canadian Workers Need More Tools, Buildings and Equipment
For the first time since the 2008-2009 economic crisis and recession, capital investment by business has declined, according to a new C.D. Howe Institute report. In “A Crisis of Capital: Canadian Workers Need More Tools, Buildings and Equipment,” authors Benjamin Dachis, William B.P. Robson and Aaron Jacobs show that, after several years of improvements in […] We studied teachers’ pay in Canada. What we found will surprise you.
New research shows no clear relationship between province-wide student assessment results and relative teacher pay in Canada’s six largest provinces. What does this mean for provinces with highly paid teachers, like Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta? Click the following link to read the full report, “Value for Money? Teacher Compensation and Student Outcomes in Canada’s Six Largest Provinces.”
Intelligence Minute – Colin Busby on the lack of relationship between teacher pay and student outcomes
New research shows no clear relationship between province-wide student assessment results and relative teacher pay in Canada’s six largest provinces. What does this mean for provinces with highly paid teachers, like Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta? Click the following link to read the full report, “Value for Money? Teacher Compensation and Student Outcomes in Canada’s Six Largest Provinces.”
The Effect of First Nations Modern Treaties on Local Income
Modern treaties have boosted incomes in First Nation communities and have led to more resource development, according to a new C.D. Howe Institute Report. In “The Effect of First Nations Modern Treaties on Local Income,” author Fernando M. Aragón shows that, beyond bettering First Nations economically, there are material benefits for resource companies and neighbouring […] Andrew Parkin: The skills paradox: National Post Op-Ed
By Andrew Parkin
How can Canada get the skills boost it needs to stay competitive? For many, the answer lies in pressuring our colleges and universities to do more to ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills employers need. A closer look at the evidence on adult literacy in Canada shows that our most pressing skills gaps lie elsewhere.
Canadians have grown accustomed to hearing that their provincially run education systems are among the best in the world. That’s why Canada’s less-than-stellar scores in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) 2013 study of adult literacy was so jarring. It seems logical to expect high achievement in education to translate into high performance on skills…
Underperforming Adults? The Paradox of Skills Development in Canada
Canada’s lacklustre performance on the OECD’s test of adult literacy, numeracy and problem solving has raised questions about the quality of provincial education systems, but the explanation for the poor scores lies elsewhere, according to a new C.D. Howe Institute report. In “Underperforming Adults? The Paradox of Skills Development in Canada,” author Andrew Parkin determines the […] Nous Avons étudié La Rémunération Des Enseignants Au Canada. Ce Que Nous Avons Découvert Vous Surprendra.
Il n’existe aucune relation claire entre les résultats des évaluations des élèves à l’échelle provinciale et la rémunération relative des enseignants dans les six plus importantes provinces canadiennes, selon une nouvelle étude de l’Institut C.D. Howe. Dans « En avons-nous pour notre argent? La rémunération des enseignants et les résultats pour les élèves dans les six […] Economist Adam Smith’s greatest legacy is his balanced approach: Globe and Mail Op-Ed
Published in the Globe and Mail on June 16, 2015
By Christopher Ragan
Christopher Ragan is an associate professor of economics at McGill University in Montreal and a research fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute in Toronto.
If Adam Smith were still alive, he would be having a birthday today, June 16. The man credited for founding the discipline of economics was a man of curiosity, vision and wisdom. Smith’s insights about the functioning – and malfunctioning – of markets are still valid, and deserve to be repeated and celebrated.
Born in 1723 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, he became a professor of moral philosophy and a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. At the age of 36, he published …
Another (macro) defence of Economics 101: Globe and Mail Op-Ed
Published in the Globe and Mail on December 2nd, 2014
By: Christopher Ragan
Christopher Ragan is an associate professor of economics at McGill University and a research fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute.
Six weeks ago, I wrote a column defending economists against the allegation that we fill our students’ minds with useless theories. I argued that the content of Economics 101 is invaluable to organizing their thinking and helping them sort through the many economic phenomena they encounter, either in their daily lives or in the news. But my arguments were all about “micro” economics; today I focus on “macro” economics.
Microeconomics is the study of individual markets and the players in those markets.…
Colin Busby: Building a stronger military reserve: National Post Op-Ed
Published in the National Post on December 2nd, 2014
By: Colin Busby
Colin Busby is a senior policy analyst at the C.D. Howe Institute.
Canadians’ wellbeing improved last week when the federal government took steps to solidify the future for Canada’s citizen soldiers. Reservists play key roles in meeting Canada’s growing international and domestic security needs, and Ottawa, last Tuesday, announced a low-cost plan to financially support employers of reservists when he or she volunteers for full-time military duty.
Canadian reservists usually participate full-time in the civilian workforce and train part-time as members of the reserve force. But every so often, be it after a natural disaster or during a major…
What to Do about Canada’s Declining Math Scores
The declining performance of Canadian students on international math assessments should worry Canadians and their provincial governments. Strong mathematics knowledge is required for success in the workforce, and early achievement in math is one of the best predictors of later academic success and future career options. Between 2003 and 2012, all but two Canadian provinces […] Expanding School Choice through Open Enrolment: Lessons from British Columbia
Greater school choice has improved the reading and numeracy scores of grade 4 students in some areas of British Columbia, according to a new C.D. Howe Institute report. In “Expanding School Choice through Open Enrolment: Lessons from British Columbia,” authors Jane Friesen, Benjamin Cerf Harris and Simon Woodcock provide fresh insights to policymakers in other […]