Editor's notes

As 1995 marches on, the promised Quebec referendum does not seem any closer. This is good news for Canadian nationalists, although the continued uncertainty helps to keep our interest rates higher and our dollar lower than they might otherwise be.

The delayed referendum also affects those who care about Canada's finances. The delay is bad news for those who believe that the federal government will never deal drastically enough with the debt until the "Quebec question" is answered for fear of driving that province away. On the other hand, for economists like The Fraser Institute's Robin Richardson, the delay in the referendum is good news. Every day's delay gives him another chance to explain to Quebecers and every other Canadian the true economic costs of separation. And are those costs high!

In this month's feature article, Robin summarizes his recent study, "The 1995 Public Debt of an Independent Quebec (Pre-Referendum Edition)." The article explains the key factors involved in assessing Quebec's assets, and provides recommendations for separating Quebec's assets from those of the rest of Canada. The study is available in its entirety from The Fraser Institute. Check out "L'addition s'il vous plaît" for all the details.

This issue's authors

George Graham is Director of Development at The Fraser Institute. He has his B.A. in Journalism from Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto.

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.

Dr. Owen Lippert is Senior Policy Analyst at The Fraser Institute. He received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.

Fazil Mihlar is 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.

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 Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago.

Robin Richardson is Director of the International Centre for the Study of Public Debt, a division of The Fraser Institute. He has an M.A. in Political Economy from the University of Toronto and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is the author or editor of several Institute publications.

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.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, October 20, 1999.