Canada’s Growth Miracle: More Bureaucrats, Bigger Deficits, and the Keynesian Kool-Aid

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By Donald Shapiro, Canamericanews.com

Let’s talk about Canada’s “economic miracle.” No, not the kind where the private sector invents something, creates jobs, or, God forbid, grows productivity. I’m talking about the real Canadian miracle: hiring more bureaucrats than you can shake a red-tape-wrapped stick at, while racking up deficits so large you’d think the government was buying every Canadian a Tesla and a cottage in Muskoka.

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Public Sector: The Only Growth Industry That Never Goes Out of Style

Over the last decade, the federal government’s hiring spree has made the public sector Canada’s hottest job market. Since 2015, the number of government employees has ballooned by over 20%. That’s right—while the private sector was busy trying to survive, the government was busy expanding its empire, adding more than 700,000 new public servants. Apparently, the only thing growing faster than government payrolls is the line at Tim Hortons.

And what do we get for this investment? Productivity in the public sector is flatter than a Saskatchewan wheat field. Meanwhile, the private sector, left to fend for itself, is expected to pick up the slack—preferably while paying higher taxes to fund the next round of bureaucratic hiring.

Mark Carney: Keynesianism on Steroids

Enter Mark Carney, Canada’s new fiscal wizard. His plan? Borrow more money, spend more money, and hope that Keynesian economics works this time—because, hey, maybe the third trillion is the charm. Carney’s government is set to run a $62.3 billion deficit this year (that’s billion, with a “B”), and plans to pile on $225 billion in new debt over the next four years. For context, that’s enough money to buy every Canadian a lifetime supply of poutine and still have change left over for a national “Department of Fiscal Responsibility” (staffed by 10,000 new employees, naturally).

Carney calls this “investment.” Critics call it “fiscal fantasy.” But who needs critics when you have a nonbinding opposition vote demanding a spring budget update? The government’s response: “We’ll take note.” Translation: “We’ll get back to you after the next hiring round.”

The Bottom Line: Bureaucrats Up, Budgets Down

So, what’s the real story? Canada’s economic growth is increasingly powered by government hiring, not private innovation. The public sector is up, productivity is flat, and the only thing growing faster than government payrolls is the national debt. If you’re looking for a job, learn to love paperwork. If you’re looking for a balanced budget, try looking somewhere else.

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Donald Shapiro is a satirical columnist for Canamericanews.com. He drinks his coffee black, his deficits small, and his government lean.