Printer-friendly version

The Fraser Institute is once again the top think tank in Canada and this year was ranked among the top 20 think tanks worldwide, according to the 2014 Global Go To Think Tanks Report published by the University of Pennsylvania and released today at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

Printer-friendly version
Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada’s Premiers, 2015

Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada's Premiers, 2015 examines the fiscal records of 10 Canadian premiers (five current and five former) relative to each other during their time in office up to the 2013/14 fiscal year. Of the current sitting premiers included in the analysis, Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall ranks first, while Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne — the premier of Canada’s largest province — finishes fourth, just ahead of outgoing Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz.

Printer-friendly version
Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in British Columbia

Government workers in British Columbia enjoy higher wages and likely more generous non-wage benefits than their private sector counterparts, finds a new study, Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in British Columbia, by Charles Lammam, Milagros Palacios, Feixue Ren, and Jason Clemens.

Printer-friendly version
Energy Transportation and Tanker Safety in Canada

Despite a dramatic rise in worldwide oil tanker traffic since the 1980s, the number of oils spills has dropped significantly, finds a new study by Philip John. The study, Energy Transportation and Tanker Safety in Canada, spotlights oil tanker traffic worldwide and in Canadian waters.

Printer-friendly version
Reforming Federal Personal Income Taxes

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 by Charles Lammam, Joel Emes, Jason Clemens, and Niels Veldhuis. According to the study, Reforming Federal Personal Income Taxes: A Pro-Growth Plan for Canada, Ottawa could eliminate many tax credits, deductions and other tax breaks (broadly known as tax expenditures), which would free up $20 billion. This, combined with expected surpluses in the future, would allow the government to eliminate Canada’s two middle-income tax rates (22 and 26 per cent) and create a new tax landscape, with just two personal income tax rates—15 per cent for almost all Canadians and 29 per cent for top earners (roughly two per cent of tax-filers).

Printer-friendly version
Practical Challenges of Creating a Guaranteed Annual Income in Canada

Despite the conceptual appeal of a guaranteed annual income, the idea isn’t likely to become reality in Canada, finds a new study by Charles Lammam and Hugh MacIntyre. The study, The Practical Challenges of Creating a Guaranteed Annual Income in Canada finds that while the idea has conceptual appeal, particularly the potential for greater efficiency and administrative savings in the delivery of income support programs, there are important practical challenges that cast serious doubt on the plausibility of a GAI reform for Canada.

Printer-friendly version
The 2014 Generosity Index

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 by Charles Lammam, Hugh MacIntyre, and Feixue Ren. The study, Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2014 Generosity Index, measures donations to registered charities claimed on personal income tax returns in Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories, the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.