Editor's Notes

Spring is always a very inspiring time of year. Whether we think we are influenced by the seasons or not, in the spring many of us, for whatever reason we choose to give, will turn our attention to new projects. We might simply read new books, or clean out the basement. But we might try something more adventuresome, such as planning a trip to somewhere new for us, or looking for new challenges at work. For people in the latter category, this often means looking for a different job or starting up our own business.

New business owners across Canada always come up hard against the reality of this nation's labour laws and regulations, particularly the minimum wage law. We can't give potential young employees a chance at a job because inexperienced people cost so much (as dictated by law), that the job often goes to someone older and more experienced who we are more confident will give us value for the high dollar we must pay them. Or we simply do without the extra employee.

This issue of Forum examines Canada's inflexible labour laws. It explains why they are harmful to the very people they are intended to help, and shows what New Zealand has done in a situation similar to Canada's.

This Issue's Authors

Brian April is Director of Development at The Fraser Institute. He has a Ph.D. in Modern History from the University of Cambridge.

Joel Emes is Research Economist at The Fraser Institute. He has an M.A. in Economics from Simon Fraser University.

Laura Jones is Environment Economist at The Fraser Institute. She received her M.A. in Economics from Simon Fraser University.

Wolfgang Kasper is Professor of Economics, University of New South Wales (ADFA campus, Canberra), Australia.

Owen Lippert is Director of the Law and Markets project at The Fraser Institute. He received his Ph.D. in History from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.

William McArthur, MD, is Visiting Fellow in Health Policy at The Fraser Institute. He is a practising physician in Vancouver, and was B.C.'s first Chief Coroner.

Kristin McCahon is Director of Publication Production at The Fraser Institute. She has an M.A. in English Literature from the University of B.C.

Fazil Mihlar is Policy Analyst at The Fraser Institute. He received his M.A. in Public Administration from Carleton University.

Lydia Miljan is Director of the National Media Archive, a division of The Fraser Institute. She researches and writes On Balance.

Kate Morrison is Co-ordinator of the National Media Archive. She has a B.A. (Hons) in Economics and Communications from Simon Fraser University.

Filip Palda is Professor at l'École Nationale d'Administration Publique in Montreal, and Senior Fellow of The Fraser Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago.

John Robson is Deputy Editorial Pages Editor at the Ottawa Citizen. He has a Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Austin.

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

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 publications.

Walter Williams is John M. Olin Distinguished Scholar at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and is a syndicated columnist. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Mark Weller is Manager of Information Systems at The Fraser Institute. He has a B.A. in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, October 20, 1999.