Economica

Christopher Bruce

August 20, 2026

Care First: A Promise not Realised

Dr. Christopher Bruce – the founder of Economica – has shared his article with us. This paper compares Alberta’s no fault Care First auto insurance model with the existing tort-based framework. The central claim of the paper is straightforward: the government’s assertion that Care First will increase compensation to injured parties while reducing premiums is… Continue reading

Automobile insurance, Christopher Bruce, Economics and the law, Other issues

Economics and the Law
September 27, 2019

Summer 2019 issue of the Expert Witness newsletter (volume 23, issue 1)

Contents: In this issue of The Expert Witness, we present two articles: From the Desk of Christopher Bruce: Farewell Christopher Bruce publishes his final Expert Witness newsletter. In this article, Chris writes about his achievements and the founding of Economica. Selecting the Productivity Factor In this article, the economists discuss the real rate of growth earnings,… Continue reading

Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir, Newsletter
August 1, 2019

From the Desk of Christopher Bruce: Farewell

In three judgments issued on January 19, 1978 –Teno v. Arnold, Thornton v. School District No. 57, and Andrews v. Grand and Toy – the Supreme Court of Canada set the stage for a change in the role of experts in personal injury cases. The Court’s clear preference for statistical evidence and expert opinion in… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce
August 1, 2019

A Word from the Consultants of Economica

We would like to say thank you to Dr. Christopher Bruce. You have been a great mentor for us throughout our careers with Economica. You have provided direction, leadership, advice, and have groomed us to be one of the leading firms in the industry. Your knowledge, guidance, and support throughout the years have been a… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir
August 1, 2019

Selecting the Productivity Factor

One of the most important determinants of the plaintiff’s future earnings is the rate at which those earnings will grow. There are two broad determinants of this rate. First, each individual benefits from increases that arise from gains in experience, promotions, and job changes. Second, as the economy grows, the earnings of all individuals rise… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Earnings, prediction of, Kelly Rathje, Laura Weir, Newsletter
December 12, 2018

The Impact of a Mid-Career Change on Earnings

by Derek Aldridge and Christopher J. Bruce Vocational psychologists often recommend that injured plaintiffs retrain for a new occupation. An important question that arises in this situation is whether plaintiffs will start that occupation at an “entry-level” income (say the income of a 25 year-old) or at the income of an individual of the plaintiff’s calendar… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Derek Aldridge, Earnings, prediction of, Newsletter
December 12, 2018

The Cost of Household Services, Alberta, 2018: A Survey

by Christopher J. Bruce and Jody Prevost The cost of hiring individuals to perform household services such as housecleaning, snow removal, and handyman repairs can amount to a significant percentage of the damages in a personal injury or fatal accident claim. Yet, despite the importance of these costs, reliable estimates of the components of a household services… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Household services, Newsletter
December 11, 2018

The Cost of Managing the Expenditures of a Plaintiff with Reduced Mental Capacity

by Christopher J. Bruce When referring to plaintiffs with normal mental capacity, the term “management fee” usually refers to expenses that plaintiffs incur for advice concerning investment decisions. Decisions concerning how their awards are to be spent – on medical care, accommodation, transportation, etc. – can generally be left to the plaintiffs themselves. Plaintiffs who have… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Newsletter, Structured settlements
December 11, 2018

The Cost of Managing the Plaintiff’s Investments

by Christopher J. Bruce As most individuals are unaccustomed to managing large sums of money, it may be appropriate for plaintiffs to employ advisors to assist them with the investment of their awards. In these cases, it has often been argued that the cost of hiring such advisors should be added to the value of the… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Newsletter, Structured settlements
December 11, 2018

Spring 2018 issue of the Expert Witness newsletter (volume 22, issue 1)

Contents: This issue contains one article. Christopher Bruce investigates the principles that the courts have developed to determine whether experts and their evidence should be admitted into court. Admissibility of Expert Evidence: Personal Injury Litigation Dr. Bruce argues that these principles can usefully be divided into four categories: the requirement that expert testimony be useful; the identification of… Continue reading

Article, Christopher Bruce, Newsletter

Expert Witness newsletter, issue 1, volume 22