The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives issued an analysis of a new Abacus Data survey examining views on Alberta’s two-tier health-care reforms, which take effect Sept. 1. The survey of 3,000 people found that 53 per cent oppose Bill 11 after its provisions are explained, while 74 per cent are concerned about the model expanding … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives issued a report examining public and private health care spending in Canada, finding that the country ranks 28th out of 35 OECD countries for the share of public health care spending. The report states that private health spending grew nearly twice as fast as public spending between 2021 and 2023, with … Read more
Federal progress on implementing the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is at risk of being undone by expiring funding and inadequate long-term commitments, warns new analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). On the seventh anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power and Place, the landmark … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) says single mothers were overlooked in the federal Spring Economic Update, arguing the plan failed to address poverty, affordable housing, child care and caregiving supports. The report says nearly one-third of single-mother families lived in poverty in 2024, and almost half reported food insecurity, while employment and income … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) criticized the Spring Economic Update as offering short-term fixes while failing to address deeper economic challenges. “A GST credit and gas tax cut, both previously announced, are band-aid solutions to structural problems,” said CCPA Senior Researcher and Political Economist Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood. The organization also raised concerns about housing affordability, … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) says Budget 2025 sacrifices social priorities to fund costly defence spending and tax cuts. “We were promised Captain Canada, but the cuts required to pay for defence spending will come back to bite Canadians,” said CCPA Senior Economist David Macdonald, pointing to a $60-billion defence increase and deep … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has economists and policy researchers available for commentary and analysis on Budget 2025. Experts include David Macdonald (public finance and program cuts), Katherine Scott (gender equality), Stuart Trew (trade policy), Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood (climate and AI), and Marc Lee (housing). Contact amanda@policyalternatives.ca
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released its 2026 Alternative Federal Budget alongside new analysis showing that the upcoming federal budget is expected to implement major program cuts through “sunsetting” provisions. According to CCPA Senior Economist David Macdonald, “The upcoming budget is extremely unlikely to actually tell Canadians the programs they’re losing to pay for … Read more
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) released its annual alternative federal budget, A Platform for the Future, From the Ground Up, which offers election platform ideas for political parties. The alternative budget covers “[…]26 issue areas—from food and income security to seniors’ care. As always, all proposals are fully costed and an extensive revenue chapter shows how programs could … Read more
The April 16 budget unveils Canada’s biggest housing package in a generation, but it’s too soon to pop the champagne cork, says Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist David Macdonald. “This budget will be a shot in the arm for apartment construction but it’s too soon to pop the champagne cork: the payoff will be … Read more
