Editor’s Notes

Most of us recognize that there is a strong connection between the amount government taxes us, what it spends of our money, what we spend of our money, and how well the economy is performing. This issue of Fraser Forum begins to put the pieces together. At the core of the issue is Joel Emes’ and Michael Walker’s announcement of the 1998 Tax Freedom Day calculations. And yes, thank goodness, governments are generally taking less of our incomes in tax. But that’s only one component of the picture.

In a related article, Walter Williams describes the dampening effect on the economy of too much government involvement in our businesses and lives. Elsewhere, Jon Kesselman explains why, even though the situation is improving in many jurisdictions, high taxes are also having an adverse effect on our economy, while Fazil Mihlar warns that our persistently high tax rates will continue to drive many of our best-educated people south.

The lessons provided by these articles are unavoidable. Tax Freedom Day is a justifiable reason to celebrate. But we have more work to do before all parts of Canada arrive at economic good health.

—Kristin McCahon

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Last Modified: Wednesday, October 20, 1999.