The federal government can go a long way in strengthening infrastructure by getting its own house in order. Although infrastructure largely falls under the jurisdiction of the local and provincial governments, greater federal attention heeded to issues in its own backyard - such as research, innovation, immigration and social security - would play a major role in boosting the number of skilled graduates, lifting prosperity and ultimately relieving fiscal pressures in the nation's municipalities. There is unfinished work in the following areas of federal jurisdiction:
• Both the nation's standard of living and security are closely tied to a smooth-running Canada-U.S. border, which falls under federal jurisdiction. Yet, the infrastructure at border crossings is inadequate, as evidenced by long queues and delays.
• A better job needs to be done to match immigrant settlement funds to the areas where the costs are being incurred.
• The large increase in funding for research and assistance for students in recent federal budgets has been positive, but there remains a patchwork of programs across the federal and provincial levels that should be better integrated.
• Finally, while many of the government's enrichments of social programs in recent years have been paved with good intentions, they have also come with some unfortunate side-effects. Notably, in light of the rapid rate at which benefits are taxed back as income rises, marginal personal income tax rates often exceed 60 per cent for low and modest income individuals. This needs to be addressed.