Editor's notes

Canadians are becoming increasingly focused on the federal debt and deficit. And no wonder. We are all very aware that the federal government is preparing to bring down its budget. And while the media insists on reminding us that the cuts could be severe and hit the average Canadian hard, the business community hopes that the cuts are significant enough to appease our foreign creditors. There simply must be substantial cuts to federal government spending and they must satisfy bond-rating houses such as Moody's which has floated the idea of downgrading Canada's triple-A credit rating if the government cannot put its fiscal house in order.

This issue is a reminder to the federal government that if it has the courage to do so, it can make the cuts, still look after the truly disadvantaged, and even increase its popularity. Ralph Klein explains how. And Institute authors Michael Walker and Isabella Horry explain the calculations that led us to award Premier Klein The Fraser Institute Fiscal Performance award for 1995. Then Fazil Mihlar goes on to show why the Alberta budget model is applicable to other provinces and to the U.S. states, specifically New York.

Other contributors discuss the fast-increasing welfare roles, the volatile issue of gun control, and how minimum wage laws drive away young people's incentive to work.

I think you'll find this month's Letters section particularly stimulating. It will give you an idea of some of the feedback we've had to our recent articles--and our responses.

This issue's authors

Isabella Horry is The Fraser Institute's Research Economist and co-author of many Institute books and publications. She received her M.A. in Economics from the University of British Columbia.

Fazil Mihlar is a Policy Analyst at The Fraser Institute. He received his B.A. in Economics from Simon Fraser University, his M.A in Public Administration from Carleton University, and a Business Degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in London, England.

Kristin McCahon is Director of Publication Production at The Fraser Institute. She has her M.A. in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.

Lydia Miljan is Director of the National Media Archive, a division of The Fraser Institute. She earned an M.A. in Communications from the University of Calgary. She researches and writes On Balance.

Dr. Filip Palda is Professor at l'École Nationale d'Administration Publique in Montreal, and Senior Fellow of The Fraser Institute. He is the author, co-author, or editor of several Institute books and publications. He received his PhD. in Economics from the University of Chicago.

Christopher Sarlo teaches economics at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario. He is the author of Poverty in Canada, published by The Fraser Institute.

Karen Selick practices law in Belleville, Ontario. She is also a columnist for Canadian Lawyer.

Dr. Michael Walker is Executive Director of The Fraser Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. He has written, edited, or co-authored dozens of Fraser Institute books and publications.

Dr. Walter Williams is John M. Olin Distinguished Scholar at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and is a syndicated columnist. He has also contributed to Fraser Institute books.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, October 20, 1999.