Cultural organizations and creative businesses frequently depend on short-term and unpredictable funding programs, making it difficult to plan, invest, retain workers, develop new productions and experiences, or expand into new markets.

A competitive arts, culture, and tourism economy depends on appropriate physical infrastructure, but many communities face shortages of modern, affordable, and purpose-built cultural spaces.

The City of Niagara Falls has proposed amendments to its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to encourage new housing supply through targeted financial incentives. The proposed measures include support for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), non-profit and co-operative housing, purpose-built rental housing, and other forms of development that can help address local housing needs.

While credits exist for tuition, businesses in Ontario remain uncompensated for other costs associated with training. As a result, workforce training has fallen behind international peers, and is heavily concentrated among larger firms.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened or announced sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., as well as separate tariffs on metals which might be cumulative. Economists in both countries are unanimous in stating that this policy would be very harmful to both economies.  

Many services in Ontario are delivered by municipal governments, despite being provincial responsibilities elsewhere in the country. With declining revenues and increasing costs, municipalities can’t meet this demand, which means property taxes are going up and services are declining. 

The excise escalator tax increases federal alcohol excise duties automatically each year based on inflation, without parliamentary debate. While intended to simplify tax adjustments, this approach has had unintended consequences.

Chinese-made EVs are attempting to make inroads into the Canadian market, but the price of these vehicles is artificially depressed by lower (and less expensive) Chinese standards for environmental safeguards and labour rights, often undermined further by poor enforcement and corruption. Canadian manufacturers should not be penalized for their higher standards in protecting the environment and workers.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or second suites, are a relatively quick and easy way to create additional housing that doesn’t change the character of a neighbourhood with larger buildings. However, with costs for renovations increasing, the payoff for property-owners takes too long to be worth it.