Recent Research
Raising Alberta
Making $10-a-Day Child Care Work in Our Province
Since Alberta signed the $10-a-day Child Care deal, reports on the results have been mixed. While many parents have benefited from reduced fees, some providers have voiced concerns about the program, and the provincial government has complained that the federal agreement is overly restrictive. This report examines the progress made under the $10-a-day plan in Alberta, identifies persistent challenges, and outlines actionable recommendations to build a more effective and equitable child-care system.
Shifting Gears
Exploring Edmonton’s Financial And Political Pressures And Ways Forward
With spending growing faster than revenues, the City of Edmonton is feeling the pinch of an increasingly challenging financial situation. This report examines how cuts to provincial funding, rising service demands, and underutilized revenue streams have left the city struggling to meet the needs of its residents. It highlights concerns about homelessness, mental illness, addiction, and the rising cost of living, calling for a reevaluation of spending priorities to address root causes rather than relying on reactive services.
Recent Blog Posts
The Alberta government’s abrupt dismissal of AIMCo’s board and CEO has sparked worries about political meddling and loss of independence. Stephen Harper’s appointment as chair was another step toward reshaping AIMCo to serve partisan goals over Albertans’ needs. Against this backdrop, understanding AIMCo’s evolution and its politicization becomes more critical than ever.
The way out of oil revenue dependency is clear: increase royalties and replace oil and gas dollars with tax dollars. The numbers add up, and the impact on the long-term well-being, economic stability, and viability of Alberta would be huge. The only thing missing is a government with the courage and political will to make it happen.
Saskatchewan just raised its minimum wage to $15, which means Alberta now officially shares with our neighbour the dubious honour of having the lowest minimum wage in Canada. As the “Alberta Advantage” dies a slow death amid low wages and public services in crisis, Albertans might need to ask themselves who is taking advantage of its demise.