Conflict Disclosure

I am employed by the University of Calgary as a Professor in Economics. Additional details about my employment history can be found in my CV. I have received remuneration for employment duties; disclosure of this can be found in provincial disclosure information.

As I take sick leave from time to time due to managing chronic illness, I may not appear in the provincial disclosure list in some fiscal years.

• Foreman & Company — Remuneration for the production of an independent expert opinion on the Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses refundable tax credit.
• McGraw-Hill Education — Honorariums in recognition of my contribution to updating Public Finance in Canada, and semi-annual royalty payments that vary based on textbook sales.
• Evolve to Innovate Program — $5,000 honorarium in recognition of support for an e2i trainee.
• Ontario360 — $500 for the production of a report on income support for low-income workers.
• Ecofiscal Commission — Professional services honorarium for participation in events and meetings.
• Deloitte Canada — Hourly compensation related to subject matter expertise on the underground economy (2016).
• School of Public Policy, University of Calgary — $5,000 for educational services during the 2015–2016 year related to a visiting position.

Details regarding all research grants and contracts administered through post-secondary institutions with which I am or have been affiliated are listed in my CV. Details regarding my professional and community engagement are also detailed there.

I am a regular non-partisan public commentator, writing for print media, appearing on television, radio, and podcasts, and providing testimony to parliamentary and legislative committees. I also write on my blog and comment regularly on public policy issues across social media platforms. I freely take calls, emails, and messages from government and political officials for advice on policy matters. I have not been paid for this advice.

• CCPAC-CCOLA Conference (2021) — keynote talk; received a $100 gift card.
• Lakehead University, Department of Economics (2021) — $200 honorarium for a research talk via Zoom on CERB and social assistance interactions.
• Concordia University, Department of Community and Public Affairs — $40 charity gift card, donated to the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter Network.
• Maclean's — occasional paid contributions, 2015–2016.
• The Globe and Mail — occasional paid contributions, 2015–2017.
• Ottawa Citizen — occasional paid contributions, 2014.
• The Huffington Post — occasional unpaid contributions, 2013.
• Globe and Mail Economy Lab — regular paid and unpaid contributions, 2011–2014.
• Fraser Institute — paid honorarium for peer review of work on income inequality in Canada, 2011.
• Peer review (unpaid) — for many economics journals, SSHRC, and the Research Data Centre Network (ongoing).

I have, during my time at the University of Victoria and University of Calgary, hosted representatives from the public and non-profit sector as guest speakers in my classes. I have never offered compensation beyond accommodation and travel expenses, with the exception of a small token of appreciation from the class. I have also spoken in others' classes upon request under the same conditions.

To the best of my knowledge, no members of my immediate family have personal or financial relationships that a reasonable person would consider a conflict of interest with either my research or my public commentary.

My husband previously ran a software business that, from time to time, provided paid software services that aided in communicating research results. He is now a salaried software employee.

I have a 13-year-old son who regularly tells me how to spend my money. It is never on anything that any reasonable person would consider a conflict of interest.

I no longer directly hold shares in any corporation. I hold shares in companies through broadly diversified Exchange Traded Funds.

My spouse holds diversified mutual funds, direct shares in various corporations, and broadly diversified Exchange Traded Funds. I have no knowledge of the specific shares held by my spouse and no say in the purchase or sale of those shares.

My husband and I currently own a single home in Calgary, Alberta, which is our primary residence. We currently carry no debt — no mortgage, line of credit, or otherwise.

Non-partisanship is a lack of affiliation with, and lack of bias toward, a political party, candidate, or public policy positions. I am currently not a member of any political party at the municipal, provincial, or federal level. I have never been a candidate for office, and I have never played a coordinating role in any election campaign.

I have, in the past, been a member of a federal political party. In the 1990s I was an active member of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

My experience uniquely equips me to analyze public policy and engage in public policy commentary, and I use my knowledge and expertise to do so in a non-partisan manner. I do not believe that taking a position on good public policy is inherently partisan — particularly when it is grounded in evidence and expertise. My research focuses on public policy that meaningfully promotes economic inclusion, strengthened social infrastructure, and systemic change, and which considers structural dynamics and distinct lived experiences. Good public policy requires full participation in the policy process, and making progress on important issues requires engagement from people of all political persuasions.