Premier Christy Clark has a better-than-average fiscal policy when compared with those of Canada’s other premiers, according to the results of a Fraser Institute study released this morning.
Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada’s Premiers 2012 ranks 10 premiers – eight current and two former – on three components of fiscal policy: government spending, taxes and debt and deficits.
Clark’s ratings were above average in all categories.
“Our report shows which premiers have put their provinces on track for economic growth and which have not,” said Charles Lammam, associate director of the Fraser Institute Centre for Tax and Budget Policy and co-author of the report.
Premier Clark had a rating of 60.8 out of 100 for fiscal management policies overall, compared with an average of 45.9.
The premiers who had the highest rankings overall were:
- Kathy Dunderdale (Newfoundland and Labrador): 71.4;
- David Alward (New Brunswick): 70.4; and
- Brad Wall (Saskatchewan): 61.6.
The lowest ranked premier overall was Manitoba’s Greg Selinger, with a score of 19.2 out of 100.
The B.C. premier’s rankings in each of the three individual categories are:
- government spending: Clark – 54.5; average – 35.73;
- taxes: Clark – 62.8; average – 50.48; and
- debts and deficits: Clark – 65.0; average – 51.42.
“Sound fiscal policy means premiers have to manage government spending prudently, balance budgets and avoid imposing a tax burden so heavy that it becomes a disincentive for people to work hard, save, invest and be entrepreneurial,” said Lammam.
The complete study can be found at the Fraser Institute’s website.
