David Macdonald

Household debt is far too high -- and why it's going to go higher still

Behind The Numbers — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 15:36:52 +0000

When the National Balance Sheet came out this month, the media focused on how the record-high household debt-to-GDP ratio is now above 100 per cent, the implication being that households should pay down that debt... somehow. This is far from the full story. We need to look at the broader debt picture across all sectors.

Ten things to know about federal income support for low-income seniors in Canada

Behind The Numbers — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:07:54 +0000

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Three positive steps toward ending poverty in Canada

Behind The Numbers — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:06:03 +0000

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In 1989, when the House of Commons voted unanimously to end child poverty by the year 2000, there was much applause.

But as the years started to pass, political inaction fuelled a deepening sense that government commitments to reduce poverty were mere words.

It's 2016 and Canada is a long way from ending poverty, but three promising developments are about to lift almost half a million people above the poverty line.

And the medal goes to: Ranking Budget 2016

Behind The Numbers — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 14:01:10 +0000

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Lockup over, what does the Liberal government's first budget tell us about its priorities, and how does it stack up to the 2016 Alternative Federal Budget? There are some high-performing measures in there, which I've handed medals based on their likely impact on poverty, inequality and responsible economic growth.

Gold medal measures

Five reasons why the deficit should be bigger, not smaller

Behind The Numbers — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 20:20:50 +0000

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Alternative Federal Budget 2016: It's time to move on

Behind The Numbers — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 17:33:39 +0000

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Budgets may appear to be dry, technical financial documents. In fact budgets are the product of values and they contain some of the most important choices that governments make.

Don't panic: What the deficit means for Canada and the Liberals

Behind The Numbers — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 21:47:43 +0000

With under 24 hours' notice and released on a Friday, you could be certain the news from today's fall Update of Economic and Fiscal Projections (UEFP) wasn't going to be good. Nor was it surprising. The rosy picture painted in the April 2015 budget, the last time these figures were updated, was custom made to allow the Conservatives to claim they had slayed the deficit ahead of the October election. Never mind that the budget was released in the middle of a recession, or that its projections relied on oil falling to $54 per barrel in 2015 then rising to $80 by 2018, with economic growth in step. Oil is presently at $40 a barrel.

Ten progressive items Trudeau can deliver in his first 100 days

rabble staff — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 12:25:13 +0000

Transition periods are a whirlwind of activity for any new government. That's why it's important to stay focused on the progressive policies that can be implemented rapidly.

Ten promises Justin Trudeau's Liberals could deliver in their first 100 days

Behind The Numbers — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 19:53:32 +0000

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Making progress: Which party has the most progressive platform?

Behind The Numbers — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:58:43 +0000

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Five reasons we can't ignore Indigenous families and children this election

Behind The Numbers — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:36:12 +0000

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First Nations communities face some of the most distressing levels of child poverty in this country. A history of colonialism, racism, residential schools, and the inequitable distribution of resources has resulted in a range of devastating social and economic inequities for Indigenous communities -- and the impacts of these inequities can be seen in the shocking poverty rates and living conditions experienced by many Indigenous children.

Small business taxes, big loopholes

Progressive Economics Forum — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:42:48 +0000

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Small business taxes made the news last week when, during a CBC interview, federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau suggested many business owners are using the small business tax rate as a de facto in-country tax shelter.

Recession is just the tip of Canada's economic iceberg

Behind The Numbers — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:27:18 +0000

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Liberal election platform shifts the chips for the rich, takes a pass on the middle class

Behind The Numbers — Wed, 06 May 2015 15:41:03 +0000

On Monday the Liberals released a portion of their platform for the upcoming federal election. While I'm happy to see some overlap with our Alternative Federal Budget (AFB), I'm puzzled by the Liberals' proposed tax changes, which basically just move tax money around in the top 20 per cent of households without doing anything substantial for every politico's favourite demographic, the "middle class."

Budget 2015: We don't need a surplus, we need jobs

Behind The Numbers — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 21:17:34 +0000

Call me naïve. Going into the 2015 budget lockup I figured the sale of Canada's GM shares (that could have been used as leverage to keep GM jobs in Canada, but I digress) would go toward a new infrastructure plan for cities. The proportion of people working today is unchanged from the worst point during the recession and job quality indexes are at all-time lows. Building things creates jobs and returns benefits to the economy. Obviously, or so I thought, infrastructure spending would make an important appearance in Joe Oliver's first budget.

And I suppose it will...in 2019.