Laurier Economics Researcher Wins Vanderkamp Prize

Economics researcher Tracy Snoddon has won the prestigious Vanderkamp Prize for Best Paper, for her study of carbon taxes and equalization payments.

Snoddon, an associate professor in the Lazaridis School's Department of Economics, co-authored the paper, "Analysis of Carbon Tax Treatment in Canada's Equalization Program" with former Laurier colleague Trevor Tombe. It was published in the Canadian Public Policy journal in September, 2019.

"It was a lovely honour and surprise to receive the news that my paper with Trevor Tombe was awarded the Vanderkamp Prize for best article in 2019," said Snoddon. "The paper is the first to examine the interaction of carbon taxes and Canada's Equalization Program. Carbon taxes are an efficient tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The revenues from carbon taxes are substantial and quite unevenly distributed across provinces. As a result, how these revenues are treated in the Equalization formula can affect the functioning and effectiveness of both climate policy and equalization. Hopefully our paper will spark more research on these issues in the future."

Economics department chair Logan McLeod added, "Tracy’s research on carbon taxes is important work and will help inform decision-making and policy in our country, and is a clear example of the type of empirical analysis of economic and social policy our faculty conduct. Tracy being awarded the Vanderkamp prize is a testament to the strength of our research in the Department of Economics within the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.”

This is the second time a researcher from Laurier's Economics department has won the Vanderkamp Prize. Susan Johnson also received the award in 2002.