By Nadine Wellwood
"Is Ottawa’s budget about growth—or just bigger government? Economist Dr. Jack Mintz breaks down the federal budget language (“spending as investment”), the lack of credible fiscal anchors, and how relabeling capex/opex distorts cross-country comparisons. We cover CPP assets vs. unfunded liabilities, the MOU to raise Alberta’s effective industrial carbon price, Pathways/CCS subsidies, and what all of this means for investment, jobs and affordability in Alberta and across Canada.
What you’ll learn
• Spending ≠ investment: why words don’t change debt math or growth
• Fiscal anchors missing: debt-to-GDP, deficit drift & market credibility
• Capital budgeting games: capex/opex re-labels, investment tax credits in “capital”
• CPP/QPP: assets counted, liabilities ignored → misleading net-debt optics
• MOU & industrial carbon price: who actually pays; competitiveness vs. subsidies
• Pathways/CCS: 50–60% subsidy coverage → consolidation risk & barriers to entry
• Affordability: cut costs via innovation & competition, not one-off handouts
• Reform priorities: tax design, regulatory timelines, smaller/leaner government
Guest: Dr. Jack Mintz, School of Public Policy (UCalgary).
Host: Nadine Wellwood, Sovereign Voice (2025)."