Fraser Institute

High electricity rates handicap Canadian businesses, U.S. businesses enjoy much lower rates

CALGARY—Canadian businesses pay more for electrical energy, on average, than American businesses, according to a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Canadians spend billions complying with personal income tax system

VANCOUVER—As tax deadline day approaches, a new study released by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank, finds that Canadians spend billions complying with the personal income tax system.

Calls to expand CPP and create Ontario pension program rely on misguided analysis

VANCOUVER—Despite Ontario’s upcoming proposal for its own government pension program, there is no retirement income crisis in Canada, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Air pollution declines as economic freedom rises

VANCOUVER—As the world celebrates Earth Day, a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank, finds that higher levels of economic freedom lead to cleaner air.

Providing First Nations with mineral rights may help ease uncertainty over Canadian mining development

CALGARY, Alta.—Canada could improve its attractiveness for mining investment by allowing private ownership of mineral rights, particularly if mineral rights were given to First Nations, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Each Canadian taxpayer owes $243,476 as total government liabilities reach $4.1 trillion

VANCOUVER, B.C.—Government liabilities include much more than direct debt, and when all federal, provincial, and local government liabilities are combined, each Canadian taxpayer owes $243,476, notes a new study by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Health care wait times cost Canadians more than $1 billion in lost productivity

CALGARY, AB--Canadians lost a combined $1.1 billion, or an average of $1,202 per patient, as a result of lengthy waits for medically necessary health care in 2013, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Weaker loonie hurts Canadians more than it helps

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The negative impact of a weaker loonie will likely outweigh any benefits, says Philip Cross, former chief economic analyst for Statistics Canada, in an analysis published today by the Fraser Institute.

Ontario burdened by more debt than California, taxpayers saddled with high interest payments

TORONTO, ONT.—By every measure, Ontario is much deeper in debt than California, the poster child for fiscal irresponsibility, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

False arguments fuel government assistance to Canada’s entertainment industry

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The CRTC’s recent crackdown on a trio of X-rated channels for not showing enough Canadian content is a classic example of how government policies supporting Canada’s entertainment industry are costly and inefficient, says Steven Globerman, author of a new Fraser Institute study on the government’s assistance to Canada’s film and television industry.

Alberta offers parents the most school choice in Canada, Atlantic provinces the least

VANCOUVER, BC—As parents in most provinces eye the annual Spring Break holiday, Alberta continues to offer parents the greatest degree of school choice in Canada, finds a new study by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Alberta leads North America in economic freedom while Nova Scotia, PEI lag far behind

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

Pipelines pose fewer risks for workers and less spills compared to transporting oil by rail or truck

CALGARY, AB—Oil transport by pipeline presents significantly lower safety risks to workers than oil movement by road or rail, concludes a study published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

Tax Freedom Day in Canada

On Saturday, June 6 Canadians will celebrate Tax Freedom Day. This light-hearted music video points out the many types of taxes Canadians pay and how long they work to pay their total tax bill.