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 IllustrationsList of TablesPreface Abbreviations1. The Pandemic and AfterResponding to the PandemicThe Post-pandemic Search for StabilityWhat Kind of Change Is Required?Keep in Mind2. Making Economic DecisionsAn Epistemic EliteDistinctive Roles and Critical RelationshipsThe Limitations of Elite Decision-MakingConclusion3. Governing after the PandemicCan Government Do Good?Stabilizing the Economy: Program Design and DeliveryGovernments’ Role in the Economy: Will Anything Change?The Growth Imperative Conclusion4. Coping with Income and Wealth InequalitiesWhy Is Inequality a Problem?The Complicated Relationship between Inequality and Economic GrowthTraditional Programs That Tackle InequalityAlternative Proposals on InequalityConclusion5. Dealing with the DebtDebt DimensionsThe Debt ThreatGuardrails, Anchors, and RulesDebt Options: Good, Bad, and UglyConclusion6. Holding the Federation TogetherEvaluating Fiscal Federalism InstitutionsThe Pandemic: Addressing a Fiscal EmergencyRisk Reduction Risk SharingConclusion7. Keeping Government AccountableOn Being AccountableParliament and the Budget ProcessBureaucrats, Budgets, and Program ReviewsAuditors and Budget OfficersConclusion8. Canada’s Fiscal FutureStubborn RealitiesPandemic EffectsPressing NeedsConclusionAppendix 1: Interview QuestionsAppendix 2: A Survey on Canadians’ Opinions on the Post-pandemic Economy and Fiscal PolicyReferencesIndex