Best fiscal manager: Clark

When it comes to fiscal responsibility, the Fraser Institute believes our premier is the best of the bunch.

According to a new analysis by the right-wing think-tank, among Canadian premiers, Premier Christy Clark and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard essentially tied for the best record at managing provincial finances.

The analysis, Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada's Premiers, ranks them in three categories: government spending, taxes, and deficits and debt.

Premiers who limited spending, balanced the books, paid down provincial debt and reduced or maintained competitive tax rates ranked higher.

“As provinces prepare their annual budgets, it’s important to emphasize that sound fiscal policy is a crucial driver of economic well-being,” says Charles Lammam, study co-author and director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute.

Overall, Clark ranked first in fiscal performance with a score of 78.5 out of 100, followed closely by Couillard (78.2) and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall (77.1).

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s score of 61.4 placed her sixth overall, yet last among sitting premiers (four of the ranked premiers are no longer in office).

“Ontario’s persistent deficits and mounting government debt are key reasons for Premier Wynne’s poor performance,” explains Ben Eisen, associate director of Ontario prosperity studies at the Fraser Institute.

In the government spending category, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil ranked first (92.6), followed by Couillard (90.1) and Clark (84.4).

The institute says each of these three premiers did a relatively good job at restraining spending growth.

Former Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz ranked last in this category, growing spending, on average, faster than the rate of economic growth and both inflation and population growth.

“Premiers looking to better manage government spending can look to provinces such as Quebec, which has started to turn its fiscal ship around,” adds Lammam.

In the taxes category, former Alberta Premier Alison Redford (90.2) ranked first, largely due to Alberta’s then single-rate personal income tax system and lowest corporate income tax rate during her term in office, followed by Wall (78.0) and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger (64.3).

Former New Brunswick Premier David Alward (27.7) ranked last, increasing key tax rates on both personal and corporate income.

Finally, in the deficits and debt category, Wall ranked first scoring a perfect 100 because he ran a surplus, on average, during his tenure and reduced Saskatchewan’s debt burden.

Clark (89.4) and Couillard (87.5) rounded out the top three, with former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tom Marshall ranking last after substantially increasing the province’s debt burden.

“All premiers have room to improve, but those who fare well in the rankings should be commended while those lagging behind can use the performance of others as a model for reform,” says Lammam.