Fraser Institute

Saskatchewan ranks first in Canada and second worldwide in annual global mining survey; Ontario and B.C. slipping

CALGARY—Saskatchewan is the most attractive jurisdiction for mining investment in Canada, according to an annual global survey of mining executives released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian policy think-tank.

Government employees in Ontario paid 11.5 per cent more than comparable private-sector workers

TORONTO -- Government workers in Ontario receive higher wages and likely more generous non-wage benefits than their private sector counterparts, finds a new study by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Spending on public schools across Canada increases while student enrolment falls

VANCOUVER—Despite a steady decline in student enrolment, spending on public schools in Canada has skyrocketed, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Ontario’s borrowing to fund day-to-day expenses has government debt growing at an unsustainable rate

VANCOUVER—Ontario’s provincial debt has grown by $117 billion since the recession, largely because of government borrowing to fund day-to-day expenses — not investments in infrastructure — finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne ranks among Canada’s worst fiscal managers; Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall one of the best

VANCOUVER—Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne ranks as one of the worst Canadian premiers at managing provincial government finances while Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall ranks as one of the best, according to a new analysis released today by the Fraser Institute, Canada's leading public policy think-tank.

Eliminating special-interest tax breaks could pave way for large personal income tax cuts in Canada

TORONTO—Large-scale personal income tax cuts could provide relief for working Canadians and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Idea of guaranteed annual income appealing but implausible for Canada

VANCOUVER—Despite the conceptual appeal of a guaranteed annual income, the idea isn’t likely to become reality in Canada, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Charitable giving on the decline in Canada, Ontario experiences steep drop in generosity

VANCOUVER—During the holidays, many Canadians think about giving, yet fewer are donating to registered charities—and those who give are giving less, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Fracking bans may needlessly deny Canadians the fruits of natural resource development

CALGARY—Decisions on hydraulic fracturing should be based on realistic appraisals of risk, so Canadians are not unnecessarily denied the benefits of their natural resources, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick rely on equalization while shunning resource development

HALIFAX—Equalization payments are discouraging at least two provinces—Nova Scotia and New Brunswick—from developing their natural resources and generating prosperity for their residents, finds Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Equalization Policy Crutch, a new essay released jointly today by the Fraser Institute and the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS), two independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tanks.

Popular myths prevent reform by clouding public perception in Canada

VANCOUVER—Popular myths surround many critical issues in Canada and discourage reforms that would benefit Canadians, finds a new book released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Alberta leads North America in economic freedom, Maritime provinces lag far behind

TORONTO—Alberta has the highest level of economic freedom among all Canadian provinces and U.S. and Mexican states, according to a new report released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Canadians still waiting 18.2 weeks for surgery; no improvement since 2013

VANCOUVER—The median wait time for Canadians seeking medically necessary surgery or other therapeutic treatment remains stalled at 18.2 weeks, same as 2013, finds the 24th annual wait times report by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Alberta most attractive Canadian jurisdiction for global oil and gas investment

CALGARY—On the strength of its petroleum reserves, Alberta remains the most attractive province for oil and gas investment in Canada, finds the Fraser Institute’s annual Global Petroleum Survey.

Jordan and the UAE offer highest levels of economic freedom among Arab nations

TORONTO—Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most economically free nations in the Arab world, according to the annual Economic Freedom of the Arab World report published by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank, and released in Amman, Jordan in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) and the International Research Foundation (IRF) of Oman.

Alberta and Saskatchewan offer more opportunity for young Canadians than Ontario and Quebec

CALGARY—Alberta and Saskatchewan offer the most opportunity for young Canadians while Ontario and Quebec mimic the economic malaise of Atlantic Canada, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Reducing capital gains taxes would encourage investment and grow Canada’s economy

VANCOUVER—With a federal budget surplus looming, a new book released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank, spotlights three possible options for reducing capital gains taxes in Canada.

Contracts with wind, solar power companies driving up electricity bills in Ontario

TORONTO—Unless the Ontario government reverses course on its transformation of the province’s electricity system, power rates will continue to soar, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Canada’s capital gains taxes hurt economy, reform could liberate ‘locked-in’ capital

VANCOUVER—Capital gains taxes stifle investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and damage Canada’s economy, notes a new essay released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Crime rates in Canada drop but cost of crime rises to $85 billion in one year

VANCOUVER—Despite a decline in the crime rate, crime cost Canadians $85 billion in 2009 (the latest year with comprehensive data) including $47 billion incurred by crime victims, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.