By Fraser Institute ——Bio and Archives--February 7, 2023
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VANCOUVER—Innovation in Canada—a key driver of higher living standards—has declined relative to a peer group of 15 similarly advanced countries in recent years, while at the same time, innovation in the United States is on the rise, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan, Canadian public policy think-tank.
“Innovation is a crucial ingredient in improved productivity and higher living standards, but unfortunately, Canada’s innovation performance over the past decade has been unimpressive to say the least,” said Steven Globerman, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Taxes, Innovation, and Productivity Growth.
The study finds that between 2014 and 2022, Canada’s ranking on the Global Innovation Index declined from 10th to 12th among the top 15 innovating OECD countries, including, among others, Britain, Germany, Australia, Korea, and the U.S. Over the same period, the U.S. increased its innovation ranking from 6th to 2nd highest.
The study also notes that higher corporate and personal income taxes act as a deterrent to innovation, since companies and highly skilled workers, like scientists and engineers, are incentivized to seek out lower tax jurisdictions where the rewards for innovation breakthroughs are higher.
On taxes, Canada’s relative ranking on corporate and personal income taxes also worsened significantly from 2014 to 2022. On corporate taxes, Canada declined from 8th most favourable out of the 15 in 2014 to 12th in 2022. And on personal income taxes, Canada dropped from 11th to 13th.
Conversely, the U.S. improved it’s ranking on both corporate (15th to 9th) and personal income taxes (12th to 4th).
Crucially, innovation and technological change are key drivers of increases in productivity, which in turn, is the basis for higher standards of living.
“When it comes to promoting innovation, Canada currently has one of the least favourable tax regimes among advanced economies,” Globerman said.
“Policymakers across Canada should review their tax policies with an understanding that high tax rates deter innovation, and ultimately deny Canadians higher living standards.”
Media Contact:
Steven Globerman, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:
Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute
drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org
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The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of 86 think-tanks. Its mission is to measure, study, and communicate the impact of competitive markets and government intervention on the welfare of individuals. To protect the Institute’s independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit fraserinstitute.org.
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