Council Reports

April 20, 2020 – Governments must employ a risk management approach to facilitate a gradual reopening of the economy, says the C.D. Howe Institute’s Crisis Working Group on Household Income and Credit Support.

At their April 14 meeting, members agreed that ending the lockdowns and restarting the economy will require a risk management approach on the part of governments, as they balance imperatives related to public health, healthcare utilization, the economy and public finance. Members also recognized that industry can play an enormous role in offering a way forward in the return-to-work strategy.

Best practices surrounding the reopening of the economy should include:

Cooperation across governments in…

April 13, 2020 – The federal government should release data on Employment Insurance (EI) claims and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) on a timely and regular basis, says the C.D. Howe Institute’s Crisis Working Group on Household Income and Credit Support.

The group, comprised of Canadian business leaders and economists and chaired by Michael Horgan, Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP and former Deputy Minister of Finance, Government of Canada, held their third meeting on April 7, 2020 to identify and prioritize key policy challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, and consider policy options and recommendations.

In addition to calls for timely and regular data releases, the group recommended a focus on…

April 3, 2020 - The C.D. Howe Institute’s Crisis Working Group on Household Income and Credit Support held their second meeting on March 31, 2020 to identify and prioritize key policy challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, and consider policy options and recommendations. The group is comprised of Canadian business leaders and economists and chaired by Michael Horgan, Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP and former Deputy Minister of Finance, Government of Canada.

The working group calls for:

Quicker release of economic data indicators to provide a current and accurate picture of the state of the labour market, enabling individuals, businesses and decision-makers to make informed decisions, Fortification and clarity…