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ESG will impose considerable harm on Canadian workers, doesn’t reflect the reality of how markets actually work

Two new essays in the Institute’s series on the myths and realities of the ESG movement, It’s Time to Move on from ESG and Putting Economics Back into ESG, find that imposing top-down ESG mandates will cause substantial harm to the economy and workers, and public policy objectives, such as those addressed by ESG initiatives, should be decided by and acted on by democratically elected governments, not private sector actors.

Hydraulic Fracturing: Risks and Management is a new study that finds despite the rhetoric, evidence shows that the actual harm to human welfare from hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) is extremely low, and what risks do exist can be managed and minimised.

Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2024 Edition finds that despite common misperceptions, per-student spending on public schools increased in six of the 10 provinces over a 10-year period (after adjusting for inflation).

The Price of Public Health Care Insurance, 2024 finds that since 1997, the cost of healthcare has increased significantly, with the typical Canadian family (consisting of two parents and two children) with an average household income of $176,266 paying $17,713 for public health care this year alone.

Caution Required When Comparing Canada’s Debt to that of Other Countries, 2024 Edition finds that Canada’s relative debt position, instead of being the best of the G7, falls significantly when total debt is measured instead of measuring debt after adjusting for financial assets.

Albertans continue to contribute disproportionately to Canadian federalism—net contribution totaled $244.6 billion between 2007- 2022

Understanding Alberta’s Outsized Contribution to Confederation finds that from 2007 and 2022, Albertans’ contributed $244.6 billion to the federal government in taxes and other payments in excess of the money Ottawa spent or transferred to Alberta – more than five times as much as was contributed (on net) by either British Columbians or Ontarians.

Reforming British Columbia’s Carbon Tax Plan is the latest installment in the Institute’s series spotlighting potential policy reforms for British Columbia. It shows that BC’s current carbon tax has serious design flaws that unnecessarily harm the economy, and highlights ways the province could mitigate those negative economic impacts, while still achieving its goal.

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Recent Commentaries & Blog Posts

Ottawa’s emissions cap will impose massive costs with virtually no benefit

Julio Mejía, Elmira Aliakbari

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, September 18, 2024

The cap will cost Alberta an estimated 70,000 jobs.

Parliament should work toward budget balance for sake of Canadians

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Appeared in the Hub, September 17, 2024

Since 2015/16, federal gross debt has approximately doubled from $1.1 trillion to an expected $2.1 trillion this year.

B.C. government should tell British Columbians about any tax hike plan

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Appeared in the Western Standard, September 17, 2024

The province now has the fourth-highest top combined income tax rate in Canada and the United States.

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The government projects a slim $120 million budget surplus in 2026/27.

Even Eby government will scrap B.C.’s poorly-designed carbon tax

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According to Premier David Eby, his government will scrap British Columbia’s consumer carbon tax if Ottawa scraps the requirement to tax carbon emissions.

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Appeared in Macdonald Notebook, September 14, 2024

In one year, the province's net debt grew by $780 million.

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Here’s your annual bill for public health care

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Appeared in the Ottawa Sun, September 11, 2024

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Energy transition will be much longer and more arduous than they’re telling you

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More money hasn’t improved B.C. schools

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Operational spending is comprised mainly of salaries and benefits for teachers.

Federal government should stay in its lane

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Appeared in the Financial Post, September 6, 2024

Since 2015, federal spending has increased by more than 76 per cent.

B.C. government’s changes to student testing deprive parents of high school rankings

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Appeared in the Vancouver Sun, September 5, 2024

The new assessments don’t test specific course content knowledge but rather broad concepts.

Central bank ‘forward guidance’—a valuable tool when used wisely

Lawrence Schembri, Steven Globerman

The Bank of Canada recently lowered its policy rate, making it three cuts in a row.

New Brunswick’s ‘unsustainable’ finances demand spending restraint from all parties

Alex Whalen

Appeared in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner, September 5, 2024

The province's program spending is projected to increase by a yearly average of 8.8 per cent.

ESG will impose considerable harm on Canadian workers, doesn’t reflect the reality of how markets actually work

ESG will impose considerable harm on Canadian workers, doesn’t reflect the reality of how markets actually work

Despite alarmist claims, hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—is generally safe, and risks are manageable

Despite alarmist claims, hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—is generally safe, and risks are manageable

Six out of 10 provinces increased per-student spending on public schools, even after adjusting for inflation

Six out of 10 provinces increased per-student spending on public schools, even after adjusting for inflation

Health-care costs for typical Canadian family will reach almost $18,000 this year

Health-care costs for typical Canadian family will reach almost $18,000 this year

Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst of 32 advanced countries when total debt is measured

Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst of 32 advanced countries when total debt is measured

Albertans continue to contribute disproportionately to Canadian federalism—net contribution totaled $244.6 billion between 2007- 2022

Albertans continue to contribute disproportionately to Canadian federalism—net contribution totaled $244.6 billion between 2007- 2022

Making BC’s carbon tax revenue neutral again and removing redundant regulations would alleviate economic burdens of the carbon tax

Making BC’s carbon tax revenue neutral again and removing redundant regulations would alleviate economic burdens of the carbon tax

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ESG will impose considerable harm on Canadian workers, doesn’t reflect the reality of how markets actually work

ESG will impose considerable harm on Canadian workers, doesn’t reflect the reality of how markets actually work

Despite alarmist claims, hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—is generally safe, and risks are manageable

Despite alarmist claims, hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—is generally safe, and risks are manageable

Six out of 10 provinces increased per-student spending on public schools, even after adjusting for inflation

Six out of 10 provinces increased per-student spending on public schools, even after adjusting for inflation

Health-care costs for typical Canadian family will reach almost $18,000 this year

Health-care costs for typical Canadian family will reach almost $18,000 this year

Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst of 32 advanced countries when total debt is measured

Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst of 32 advanced countries when total debt is measured

Albertans continue to contribute disproportionately to Canadian federalism—net contribution totaled $244.6 billion between 2007- 2022

Albertans continue to contribute disproportionately to Canadian federalism—net contribution totaled $244.6 billion between 2007- 2022

Making BC’s carbon tax revenue neutral again and removing redundant regulations would alleviate economic burdens of the carbon tax

Making BC’s carbon tax revenue neutral again and removing redundant regulations would alleviate economic burdens of the carbon tax