(L-R) Derek Messacar, Michael Baker and Mark Stabile (supplied images)
Michael Baker, Derek Messacar and Mark Stabile win Doug Purvis Memorial Prize
Published: July 16, 2024
A research team led by Michael Baker, a professor in the department of economics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been awarded the Canadian Economics Association’s Doug Purvis Memorial Prize.
The annual award recognizes the authors of significant contributions to Canadian economic policy.
Baker shares the honour with Derek Messacar, doctoral alum of the department of economics and an associate professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Mark Stabile, former faculty member at the Rotman School of Management and the founding director of what would become the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, who currently serves as a professor and dean of degree programmes and the Europe campus at INSEAD, a business school based in Fontainebleau, France.
The trio was recognized for their paper "Effects of Child Tax Benefits on Poverty and Labor Supply: Evidence from the Canada Child Benefit and Universal Child Care Benefit," which was published in the Journal of Labor Economics.
Baker said he was “honoured” by the recognition. “I knew Doug Purvis briefly at the start of my career and have learned what a positive contribution he made to the economics profession in Canada,” he said. “It is also a pleasure to share this award with a former colleague here at the department and a graduate of our PhD program. I have worked on many projects with both Mark and Derek over the years.”
“It’s gratifying for our department to see Michael, Mark and Derek recognized for their investigations into child poverty alleviation programs,” said Professor Ettore Damiano, chair of the department of economics. “It is very important work, and I am pleased to congratulate all the members of Michael’s team for this award.”
