Ian Hussey
Ian Hussey is a political economy and labour researcher with more than a decade of experience working on public policy issues for the Alberta Federation of Labour (2023-2026) and the University of Alberta's Parkland Institute (2014-2023). He has conducted original research on a range of topics, mostly to do with Alberta energy and climate issues, automation and labour market developments, and minimum wage and gendered income inequality. He is the author of "An Alberta Pay Equity Law Would Tackle Wage Discrimination and Grow Our Economy" (AFL, 2026), "No Worker Left Behind: A Job Creation Strategy for Energy Transition in Alberta” (Parkland, 2023), and “Job Creation or Job Loss? Big Companies Use Tax Cut to Automate Away Jobs in the Oil Sands” (Parkland, 2022). Ian is also the co-author, with Emma Jackson, of "Alberta's Coal Phase-Out: A Just Transition?" (Parkland, 2019).
Twitter: @IanHussey12
Ten things to know about carbon pricing in Alberta
blog | Nov 24, 2016One year ago this week, the government of Alberta announced its Climate Leadership Plan, which included the introduction of a carbon levy starting January 1, 2017. Parkland Institute researcher Ian Hussey lays out 10 key facts you should know before the levy goes into effect.
Ten things to know about a $15 minimum wage in Alberta
blog | Jun 08, 2016The Alberta government is once again holding consultations on its plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2018. Parkland Institute Research Manager Ian Hussey lays out 10 key facts Albertans should know about the proposed increase.
Alberta's immediate concern is limited revenue, not debt
blog | Apr 19, 2016Discussions about Alberta’s $10 billion deficit and estimated debt of $33 billion by 2018-19 have dominated the media since the introduction of Budget 2016. Parkland Institute Research Managers Ian Hussey and Rebecca Graff-McRae argue that revenue, not debt, is the immediate concern coming out of the budget.
Alberta’s deficit and debt aren’t problems (yet), but revenue is
blog | Oct 29, 2015Despite dire warnings of financial catastrophe from the official opposition, Alberta's deficit and debt levels aren't a problem - at least not yet. Revenue, however, is a problem. Parkland Institute Research Manager Ian Hussey explains.
Minimum wage hike won't ruin Alberta
media | Jul 17, 2015Any proposal to increase the minimum wage by any amount in any province or territory seems to be met with dire warnings of massive job losses and impending economic doom. The problem for critics of the minimum wage is, neither history nor academic research backs these notions up.
Alberta’s public health care system is sustainable
blog | Jul 02, 2015Has Alberta’s public health care spending ballooned to the point of being unsustainable? Have Alberta's health care costs pinched funds from other public services? Parkland research manager Ian Hussey looks at the research to provide an answer.
The persistent myth of Alberta’s high public spending
blog | Jun 09, 2015The claim that the Government of Alberta has a spending problem has been a widely held belief in our province for decades, but the claim of out-of-control spending doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
The case for a $15 minimum wage in Alberta
blog | May 28, 2015The new Alberta government has pledged to raise the provincial minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2018, but some lobby groups say the sky will almost certainly fall if it happens. Parkland Institute Research Manager Ian Hussey looks at the validity of these Chicken Little claims, and lays out why phasing in a $15 an hour minimum wage is a good policy move.
Planks in the platforms: Comparing 11 key policy issues
blog | Apr 30, 2015As we enter the final weekend of Alberta election 2015, Parkland Institute compares the platforms of the four major parties on 11 key policy areas.
Making mincemeat out of Mintz’s politicized numbers
blog | Apr 27, 2015One of the most frequently cited numbers during this election is the claim that Alberta's economy will shed 9,000 jobs for every 1% increase in the corporate tax. But does this claim, made by economist Jack Mintz and repeated by both the Wildrose and Progressive Conservatives, really hold up to scrutiny?