reports
Governing Alberta
Citizens' Views
This report uses public opinion data to examine citizens’ views on governance in Alberta. It addresses respondents' opinions on popular democracy, political alienation, and the workings of government.
Taking the Reins
The Case for Slowing Alberta's Bitumen Production
The public interest is not served by the Alberta government's current promotion and encouragement of unfettered development of the province's bitumen reserves. A high quality of life for all Albertans is best pursued by slowing down development of the tar sands.
Stabilizing Alberta’s Revenues
A Common Sense Approach
This report shows that the only workable solution to Alberta's fiscal woes is an increase in corporate taxation and a return to a progressive income tax regime in the province, and that Albertans would support such a move.
Delivery Matters
Public Infrastructure, Privatized Maintenance, and Government Transparency
Alberta’s contracting out of infrastructure maintenance to private firms has resulted in decreased transparency and accountability, and has put Alberta taxpayer dollars at risk.
A Social Policy Framework for Alberta
Fairness and Justice for All
Despite Alberta’s obvious wealth, inequality and disparity in the province are growing faster than almost anywhere else in the country.
Impaired Judgement
The Economic and Social Consequences of Liquor Privatization in Western Canada
A comparative study of liquor systems in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Delivery Matters
The High Costs of For-Profit Health Services in Alberta
Using Calgary's Health Resources Centre as a case study, this report explores the delivery of clinical services, specifically total hip and knee replacements, through private, for-profit clinics, and compares their cost and impacts versus public delivery.
Misplaced Generosity Update 2012
Extraordinary Profits in Alberta's Oil and Gas Industry
Alberta’s oil and gas industry continues to rake in billions of dollars’ worth of profits while the provincial government continues to run deficits and underfund education and health care services in the province. The report looks at the latest figures for oil industry profits an
Alternative Water Futures in Alberta
Alberta Minister of Environment and Water Diana McQueen has promised public consultations in 2012 regarding how to reform the province’s water allocation system. This report challenges the market model proposed to date, and suggests workable alternatives for water in Alberta.
Fixing What’s Broken
Fair and Sustainable Solutions to Alberta's Revenue Problems
This report sets out to answer how can we raise the revenues we need to cut our dependence on oil and gas? It explores what revenues Alberta currently brings in, how this revenue compares to other jurisdictions, what policy choices are possible and their effects on the budget.