A new study released today by the Fraser Institute finds that custom-made election systems for individual First Nation bands — instead of Indian Act rules — may produce more accountable and transparent government but may also lead to abuse of power and discrimination. “Before committing to custom election rules, First Nations should fully understand the bad as … Read more
In response to the release of the Alberta government’s 2017 budget, the Fraser Institute feels the government has squandered another opportunity to take corrective action and turn the province’s finances around. “The current government inherited a difficult situation, but this budget is the third in a row that fails to address any of the province’s serious fiscal challenges,” … Read more
Anew study released by the Fraser Institute finds that health care spending by provincial governments has increased by 116 per cent since 2001, and even though increases have slowed recently, health care is projected to consume an even larger portion of program spending over the next 15 years. “Following more than a decade of marked health-care … Read more
A new study by the Fraser Institute finds that government employees in Quebec get 9.1 per cent higher wages, on average, than comparable workers in the private sector and they enjoy more generous non-wage benefits, too. “As the Quebec government looks to better control spending, and the federal government — which has a lot of employees in Quebec … Read more
A new book released today by the Fraser Institute finds that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley are rejecting the policies of previous Liberal and NDP governments that delivered economic benefits through balanced budgets, controlled government spending, and competitive taxes. “During the 1990s and early 2000s, there was consensus … Read more
A new study by the Fraser Institute finds that only 11 cents of every dollar in new federal government infrastructure spending will be spent on highways, bridges, railways and ports — projects that can actually help improve Canada’s economy. This finding corroborates a Senate committee report from earlier this week that encouraged Ottawa to make transportation and … Read more
An annual global survey of mining executives released by the Fraser Institute finds that two Canadian provinces — Saskatchewan and Manitoba — are the top two most attractive jurisdictions in the world for mining investment, followed by Western Australia. “A richness of mineral reserves, coupled with competitive tax regimes, efficient permitting procedures and certainty surrounding environmental … Read more
A new study by the Fraser Institute finds that British Columbia’s carbon tax is no longer revenue neutral and could actually result in almost $900 million in higher taxes over a six-year period. “The B.C. government has effectively raised taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars without British Columbians even knowing about it,” said Charles Lammam, director of … Read more
According to the Fraser Institute’s annual ranking of B.C. elementary schools, independent elementary schools in British Columbia continue to perform well above average, but this year more than ninety per cent of all elementary schools in the province that showed significant improvement are public. The average overall rating for B.C.’s independent elementary schools was eight out … Read more
A new study by the Fraser Institute found that governments across Canada could have collectively saved $12.7 billion in 2013/14 — and lessened their debt and deficit burdens — if they had restrained spending increases on public schools to changes in enrolment and overall prices (inflation) during the previous decade. “Spending decisions in one area have broader … Read more
