David Macdonald

David Macdonald is a Senior Economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He heads the Centre's Alternative Federal Budget project that takes a fresh look at how the federal government could build a better Canada. David is a frequent media commentator on national public policy issues.

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

David Macdonald

| September 27, 2016

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

David Macdonald Nick Falvo Allan Moscovitch

| September 1, 2016

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Three positive steps toward ending poverty in Canada

David Macdonald

| July 21, 2016

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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

David Macdonald

| March 23, 2016

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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

David Macdonald

| March 22, 2016

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

Peter Bleyer David Macdonald Kate McInturff

| March 14, 2016

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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

David Macdonald

| November 20, 2015

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.

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.