Fiscal Choices

Michael M. Atkinson is an emeritus professor at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan and an adjunct professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria. Haizhen Mou is a professor at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan.

List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Preface 
Abbreviations

1. The Pandemic and After
 Responding to the Pandemic
 The Post-pandemic Search for Stability
 What Kind of Change Is Required?
 Keep in Mind

2. Making Economic Decisions
 An Epistemic Elite
 Distinctive Roles and Critical Relationships
 The Limitations of Elite Decision-Making
 Conclusion

3. Governing after the Pandemic
 Can Government Do Good?
 Stabilizing the Economy: Program Design and Delivery
 Governments’ Role in the Economy: Will Anything Change?
 The Growth Imperative 
 Conclusion

4. Coping with Income and Wealth Inequalities
 Why Is Inequality a Problem?
 The Complicated Relationship between Inequality and Economic Growth
 Traditional Programs That Tackle Inequality
 Alternative Proposals on Inequality
 Conclusion

5. Dealing with the Debt
 Debt Dimensions
 The Debt Threat
 Guardrails, Anchors, and Rules
 Debt Options: Good, Bad, and Ugly
 Conclusion

6. Holding the Federation Together
 Evaluating Fiscal Federalism Institutions
 The Pandemic: Addressing a Fiscal Emergency
 Risk Reduction 
 Risk Sharing
 Conclusion

7. Keeping Government Accountable
 On Being Accountable
 Parliament and the Budget Process
 Bureaucrats, Budgets, and Program Reviews
 Auditors and Budget Officers
 Conclusion

8. Canada’s Fiscal Future
 Stubborn Realities
 Pandemic Effects
 Pressing Needs
 Conclusion

Appendix 1: Interview Questions
Appendix 2: A Survey on Canadians’ Opinions on the Post-pandemic Economy and Fiscal Policy

References
Index