David Macdonald

About David Macdonald

David Macdonald is a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He joined the centre in 2011, although he has been a long time contributor as a research associate. Since 2008, he has coordinated the Alternative Federal Budget, which takes a fresh look at the federal budget from a progressive perspective. David has also written on a variety of topics, from Canada's real estate bubble to Aboriginal income inequality. He is a regular media commentator on national policy issues. He is the author of the report Picking up the Tab: A complete accounting of federal and provincial COVID-19 measures in 2020.

David received his BA from the University of Windsor and his MA from the University of Guelph, both in Philosophy.

4 Articles

Chrystia Freeland speaks at a press conference on March 18, 2020. File photo by Kamara Morozuk

Budget 2021 applies lessons learned from COVID-19

This was the largest public health and economic crisis since the Second World War, and it has clearly illustrated how our health and social safety nets are lacking, writes David Macdonald, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

David Macdonald

Budget 2021 applies lessons learned from COVID-19

Canadians need more federal supports — because COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon

The next act: Feds' fiscal update needs to reflect pandemic challenges ahead

Pandemic response shows Canada can afford a zero carbon future