TORONTO – Canadians fear that the looming deficit will be paid off through spending cuts and tax increases on lower and middle-income households, with a majority believing these measures would have a negative impact on their lives. When asked what measures they would prefer, Canadians overwhelmingly chose raising taxes on large corporations and the wealthy as well as closing tax loopholes.

A poll conducted by Abacus Research on behalf of the Broadbent Institute and Professional Institute for the Public Service of Canada surveyed 1,500 Canadians shows that 70% want to see the federal government build an economy and society that is more fair and equitable than it was before the pandemic.

“Canadians are coming into this election with clear eyes about the future they want,” said Katrina Miller, Program Director of the Broadbent Institute, “a federal government that invests in needed programs and services, paid for by those who can afford it most.”

A vast majority of Canadians want a post-pandemic recovery plan that doesn’t cut funding to key programs and services, implements a wealth tax, reduces out-of-pocket health costs and builds affordable housing. The sentiment holds across political party allegiances.

"A federal election will allow Canadians to choose exactly the type of post-pandemic recovery they want. They are looking for solutions that reduce inequality, protect public services and help with the affordability crisis," said Abacus Data CEO David Coletto. "There is very little appetite for cuts and broad support for tools that force the wealthiest to pay for the recovery."

REPORT: David Coletto, Abacus Data. To Reduce the Deficit, Canadians Want Increased Taxes on the Wealthy and Large Corporations.

RESEARCH: Abacus Data for the Broadbent Institute and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. What Canadians Think About the Federal Deficit and the Post-pandemic Recovery.

For the upcoming federal budget, the Institute has put together a blog series exploring key areas the federal government must take immediate action on to continue to effectively respond, and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our three-part blog series includes submissions in the areas of: Investing in the Caring Economy; Taxing the Rich; and, Vaccination

For the upcoming federal budget, the Institute has put together a blog series exploring key areas the federal government must take immediate action on to continue to effectively respond, and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our three-part blog series includes submissions in the areas of: Investing in the Caring Economy; Taxing the Rich; and, Vaccination.

For the upcoming federal budget, the Institute has put together a blog series exploring key areas the federal government must take immediate action on to continue to effectively respond, and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our three-part blog series includes submissions in the areas of: Investing in the Caring Economy; Taxing the Rich; and, Vaccination.

The crisis we and the world continue to confront seriously affects public health and our social and economic well-being. There will be no quick return to normal, nor should there be.

We are fortunate to live in Canada. One of the things that makes this a great country is that change – even major change – is possible. Since the founding of Canada in 1867 Canadian citizens have fought for a better, more just society. The struggle of workers to unionize and of women for voting and other rights began before the formation of Canada but gained momentum after Confederation. Many other movements have also made progress through years of activism. Change was slow often taking decades. But over time substantial progress was made, often at great sacrifice and always accompanied by reaction. Occasionally opportunities arise to advance social and political change much more quickly. Now is one of those times.

Arlene Reid. Bonifacio Eugenio-Romero. Joyce Echaquan. These are just three of the thousands of lives that have been lost during the pandemic, but in many ways they characterize who is dying. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread through Canada, proclamations from government officials about a virus that doesn’t discriminate was belied by the names and faces of those who were perishing.

Over the course of the pandemic, staff at the Broadbent Institute have been putting forth policy ideas and commentary on how best to support workers; build back a fair and just economy; and, our vision for Canada’s post-pandemic future. Some of these pieces weren't catalogued at the time they were published, so we’ve compiled a list of past work written by staff, that you may have missed:

The federal government’s Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) was always meant to be a temporary program to fill holes in workplace legislation. The time is right for implementing provincially-mandated, employer-paid sick days.

The Fall Economic Statement released yesterday is necessarily shaped by a high degree of uncertainty. Despite promising reports that we may have an effective vaccine against Covid-19 within months, the pandemic is very much with us and economic recovery is far from certain as quarantines and lockdowns continue.