C.D. Howe Institute
The C.D. Howe Institute is an independent not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies. Widely considered to be Canada's most influential think tank, the Institute is a trusted source of essential policy intelligence, distinguished by research that is nonpartisan, evidence-based and subject to definitive expert review.
Most Recent Articles by C.D. Howe Institute:
From Promise to Practice: A Critical Review of the Federal Childcare Plan
Immigration Policy Needs Fundamental Reform, Council Warns
September 17, 2025
Immigration Policy Still in Need of a Course Correction
Guns for Butter: A Continental Pact for Security and Prosperity
“Clear budgeting isn’t just a technical issue, It’s a basic requirement of good governance”
Stop Assuming Immigration Will Solve Canada’s Labour Crisis
February 25, 2025
The Immigration Paradox: How an Influx of Newcomers Has Led to Labour Shortages
Cut Overnight Rate to 3.00 Percent Next Week and 2.75 Percent by July
To Solve the Housing Affordability Crisis, Think Beyond Big Cities
January 21, 2025
The report urges all levels of government to coordinate practical policies that support building up a small set of Canada’s smaller cities
On balance, members felt that the data supported a continuation of the rate-cutting cycle the Bank began in June
C.D. Howe Institute Pans Canadian Governments’ Opaque Budgets
October 24, 2023
The ABCs of Fiscal Accountability: The Report Card for Canada’s Senior Governments, 2023
Canada and its Provinces Fall Short When it Comes to Seniors’ Care
September 21, 2023
With improved access and timeliness to medical appointments, accompanied by reduced cost barriers for pharmaceutical, dental and homecare, Canada would rank above the international average and place 3rd in the ranking
Bank of Canada Losses Could Top $8 Billion
January 13, 2023
Reversal of Fortunes: Rising Interest Rates and Losses at the Bank of Canada
Wake Up Cities, Your Budgets are Late (Again)
January 7, 2023
The C.D. Howe Institute does an annual survey of fiscal transparency in 32 of Canada’s most populous municipalities
CANADA FACES A SERIOUS SHORTAGE IN DIGITAL AND STEM SKILLS
August 23, 2022
Demand for employees with basic or advanced digital skills has been growing rapidly in Canada, but a swath of industries face shortages in meeting their needs
Business Tax Burdens by Major City: 2016 Report Card
December 13, 2016
“Cities should closely monitor their tax competitiveness. Heavy business tax burdens reduce potential returns, driving investment away to other jurisdictions.”
How to Break Up the Logjam over Pharmacare
October 21, 2015
“Pharmacare is a top-of-mind issue for many Canadians,” states Blomqvist. “As a share of overall health costs, prescribed drugs rose from 6.3 percent in 1975 to 13.4 percent in 2014,”
A core issue identified by the authors is whether “Secular Stagnation,” where economic weakness and the inability of low interest rates to boost economic growth is the result of a fundamental change
Canada’s Uneven Economic Growth: What Policymakers Should Do
September 2, 2015
Expand Limit on Covered Bonds, but Know the Risks
August 20, 2015
How Small Businesses Can Get a Better Deal Out Of FTAs
August 6, 2015
The solution to these consequences concerns the exemptions to ROOs rules, where typically, the rules are waived for shipments with a face value of $1,000 or less
How to Fix Canada’s Unemployed Doctor Problem
February 5, 2015
Five solutions to Canada’s healthcare paradox
Program Providing a Pathway out of Poverty for Disadvantaged Youth
January 22, 2015
The Pathways to Education program is a prominent example of a community-driven, comprehensive youth-support program developed to improve academic outcomes among those entering high school from disadvantaged backgrounds
Alberta, Ontario Lead in Innovation Ranking
November 28, 2014
“The Atlantic Provinces are dramatically below average, and every province has seen a decline in patent applications per capita in the last decade,”
Canada Needs A Faster, Better Payments System
November 20, 2014
A Speedier and More Efficient Payments System for Canada,
The Competition Policy Council comprises top-ranked academics and practitioners active in the field of competition policy.
The sad reality is that TBPs will continue to be avoided by federally regulated employers
The history of healthcare spending overruns by provincial and territorial governments means Canadians must wait for the final numbers before concluding that public healthcare spending is growing at a sustainable rate
Why the CRTC Should Pass on Pick & Pay TV
September 26, 2014
The government should not mandate service offerings to consumers
Why Governments Are Wrong to Overlook Enhancing RRSPs
September 11, 2014
Retirement Savings
Uncorking Competition for Beer and Wine in Ontario
August 20, 2014
The current Ontario system suffers from various inefficiencies and disadvantages for purchasers of alcoholic beverages
Slaying Deficits: Timing is Key for Ontario and Ottawa
July 23, 2014
“Ontario’s decision to delay attention in reducing the province’s budget deficit is a risky strategy,”