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Christopher Ragan

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Christopher Ragan is an associate professor of economics at McGill University and is the author of What Now? Addressing the Burden of Canada’s Slow-Growth Recovery, published recently by the C.D. Howe Institute.

Latest articles

February 29, 2016

Why Saskatchewan should join the carbon-pricing club

Christopher Ragan

February 23, 2016

Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz leaves at the conclusion of a news conference in Ottawa, Canada, January 20, 2016.

Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz leaves at the conclusion of a news conference in Ottawa, Canada, January 20, 2016.

We should be thankful Stephen Poloz understands monetary policy’s limits

Christopher Ragan

February 10, 2016

The processing facility at the Suncor tar sands operations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, is seen in an undated file photo taken September 17, 2014.

The processing facility at the Suncor tar sands operations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, is seen in an undated file photo taken September 17, 2014.

Two blessings and a curse facing Alberta’s oil industry

Christopher Ragan

January 26, 2016

The smokestack from the Domtar pulp mill Thursday Sept. 25, 2008 in Kamloops B.C.

The smokestack from the Domtar pulp mill Thursday Sept. 25, 2008 in Kamloops B.C.

Piecing together the federal-provincial climate puzzle

January 12, 2016

Tthe global prices of commodities and the U.S. interest rate relative to Canada’s are the two main factors driving the loonie’s fluctuation.

Tthe global prices of commodities and the U.S. interest rate relative to Canada’s are the two main factors driving the loonie’s fluctuation.

More angst than mystery in the loonie’s decline

Christopher Ragan

December 29, 2015

Smart carbon pricing policy is more effective than emission reduction targets, argues Christopher Ragan.

Smart carbon pricing policy is more effective than emission reduction targets, argues Christopher Ragan.

Emissions policy should focus on carbon pricing, not carbon targets

Christopher Ragan

December 16, 2015

Finance Minister Bill Morneau is squeezed between carrying through on some costly election promises, new data showing continued weakness of the economy and the need to display his competence and commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau is squeezed between carrying through on some costly election promises, new data showing continued weakness of the economy and the need to display his competence and commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Deficits are a poor measure of Canada’s fiscal prudence

Christopher Ragan

December 2, 2015

Construction at the Highway 407 subway station in Toronto.

Construction at the Highway 407 subway station in Toronto.

Boomers, infrastructure will force redesign of Canada’s fiscal federalism

Christopher Ragan

November 19, 2015

Industrial buildings and smokestacks are lit by sunshine peeking through winter storm clouds over Oakville, Ontario on Jan. 27, 2012.

Industrial buildings and smokestacks are lit by sunshine peeking through winter storm clouds over Oakville, Ontario on Jan. 27, 2012.

Carbon pricing can balance emissions reduction and competitiveness

Christopher Ragan

November 3, 2015

Rush hour traffic heads north on Warden Ave. near the 401 in Scarborough as commuters head home on April 2 2014.

Rush hour traffic heads north on Warden Ave. near the 401 in Scarborough as commuters head home on April 2 2014.

Congestion pricing can incentivize drivers to reduce traffic

Christopher Ragan

October 29, 2015

Justin Trudeau leaves a memorial service held for Ken Taylor, former Canadian Ambassador to Iran. Trudeau has said he will run short-term deficits to boost infrastructure spending.

Justin Trudeau leaves a memorial service held for Ken Taylor, former Canadian Ambassador to Iran. Trudeau has said he will run short-term deficits to boost infrastructure spending.

Here’s hoping our new PM invests in public goods

Christopher Ragan

October 17, 2015

Supporters wait for the arrival of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau on Friday in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Supporters wait for the arrival of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau on Friday in Richmond Hill, Ont.

Three economists grade the leaders on their election promises

Eveline Adomait, Jack Mintz and Christopher Ragan

October 10, 2015

Pigeons fly overhead as trucks wait to enter the DP World Container Terminal at Port Metro Vancouver, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday September 24, 2015. A sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership deal has landed like a bomb at a late stage in Canada’s election campaign.

Pigeons fly overhead as trucks wait to enter the DP World Container Terminal at Port Metro Vancouver, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday September 24, 2015. A sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership deal has landed like a bomb at a late stage in Canada’s election campaign.

Trade bomb to tax reform – economists watch the election

October 6, 2015

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau holds up his party's platform at a press conference in Waterloo, Ont. on Monday, October 5, 2015.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau holds up his party's platform at a press conference in Waterloo, Ont. on Monday, October 5, 2015.

A few small deficits may actually be just what Canada needs

Christopher Ragan

October 3, 2015

A dairy farmer walks his cow during a protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 29. ‘I think the biggest problem in the public mind with the TPP negotiations is that they have been conducted behind closed doors, so the various bargaining elements have not been debated publicly,’ says Christopher Ragan.

A dairy farmer walks his cow during a protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 29. ‘I think the biggest problem in the public mind with the TPP negotiations is that they have been conducted behind closed doors, so the various bargaining elements have not been debated publicly,’ says Christopher Ragan.

Three economists grade the leaders’ performances on TPP, trade talks

EVELINE ADOMAIT, JACK MINTZ and Christopher Ragan

September 26, 2015

‘Infrastructure spending has to be the priority,’ says economist Eveline Adomait. ‘Gridlock in our major cities reduces productivity and, because of commute times, raises home prices in those centres.’

‘Infrastructure spending has to be the priority,’ says economist Eveline Adomait. ‘Gridlock in our major cities reduces productivity and, because of commute times, raises home prices in those centres.’

Three economists grade the leaders’ performances on the election trail

Eveline Adomait, Jack Mintz and Christopher Ragan

September 22, 2015

Pipelines leading to the Syncrude Canada Ltd. upgrader plant at the company’s mine near Fort McMurray, Alta.

Pipelines leading to the Syncrude Canada Ltd. upgrader plant at the company’s mine near Fort McMurray, Alta.

Why carbon pricing will help to secure Alberta’s economic future

Christopher Ragan

August 11, 2015

Syncrude's Mildred Lake oil sands upgrader vent's into overcast skies north of Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

Syncrude's Mildred Lake oil sands upgrader vent's into overcast skies north of Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

Smooth transition needed for carbon pricing and free trade

Christopher Ragan

July 28, 2015

Finance Minister Joe Oliver rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday April 30, 2015. Oliver says the government's budget fulfills its promise to balance the books while cutting the tax burden for Canadians.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday April 30, 2015. Oliver says the government's budget fulfills its promise to balance the books while cutting the tax burden for Canadians.

Joe Oliver should let the Bank of Canada speak for itself

Christopher Ragan

July 13, 2015

Minister of Finance Joe Oliver speaks at the Canada-China Finance Summit in Toronto on Wednesday, July 8, 2015. The federal government has said it will make necessary spending cuts to ensure it hits its surplus target.

Minister of Finance Joe Oliver speaks at the Canada-China Finance Summit in Toronto on Wednesday, July 8, 2015. The federal government has said it will make necessary spending cuts to ensure it hits its surplus target.

Ottawa’s fiscal policy needs to promote growth, not just avoid deficits

Christopher Ragan