Long waits for surgery and medical treatment cost Canadians a combined $1.17 billion—or $1,304 per patient—in 2015, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute. The study, The Private Cost of Public Queues for Medically Necessary Care, calculates the average personal cost of time lost during the work week in Canada last year … Read more
The Fraser Institute published a new report, Comparing Recent Economic Performance in Canada and the United States: A Provincial and State Level Analysis, which found that the resilience of the Canadian economy during the global recession and its strong performance post-recession-which was largely rooted in the resource-intensive provinces. While the resource-intensive provinces boomed, many of the non-resource intensive … Read more
While municipal amalgamation is often touted as the best way to facilitate cost-savings and efficiencies for local governments, British Columbia’s regional district system may be a better option for Greater Victoria, concludes a new study released by the Fraser Institute. “For more than five decades, B.C.’s regional districts have facilitated cooperation among municipalities to produce … Read more
The Fraser Institute released a new report, Canada’s Rising Personal Tax Rates and Falling Tax Competitiveness, which finds that Canada’s top combined federal and provincial tax rate, which is 53.5 per cent (using Ontario’s provincial rate) now ranks as the sixth highest among 34 industrialized countries and second highest among G7 countries, behind only France (based … Read more
The Fraser Institute published a new report, Raising the Minimum Wage: Misguided Policy, Unintended Consequences, which finds that raising the minimum wage will do little to reduce poverty mainly because most minimum-wage earners don’t live in low-income households. “The perception that the typical minimum-wage earner is a single parent struggling to survive does not align with the facts,” … Read more
Saskatchewan remains the most attractive jurisdiction for mining investment in Canada, according to the annual global survey of mining executives released by the Fraser Institute. The Fraser Institute Survey of Mining Companies, 2015, rates 109 jurisdictions around the world based on a combination of their geologic attractiveness for minerals and metals and their policy attractiveness. … Read more
A higher than expected rise in interest rates could jeopardize provincial government promises of balanced budgets and surpluses, finds a news study released by the Fraser Institute. “During this era of record low interest rates, governments in Canada have accumulated significant debt, which could pose serious risks to their budgets if interest rates begin to … Read more
The Fraser Institute published a new study, Spending is the Source of Ontario’s Deficit and Debt Problem, which finds the government spending –not slumping revenues– is responsible for Ontario’s chronic budget deficits. “According to a popular narrative at Queen’s Park, Ontario’s large deficits and massive debt are unavoidable consequences of the 2008 global economic downturn and other uncontrollable … Read more
The Fraser Institute released a new study, Why Are Interest Rates So Low? which develops a new model of how interest rates are determined. The study shows that changing demographics across the globe — not monetary policy — are the main drivers of low interest rates in many of the world’s largest economies. “Monetary policy is having … Read more
The Fraser Institute released a new study, Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada’s Premiers, which ranks premiers based on three fiscal policy categories: government spending, taxes, and deficits and debt. Among Canadian premiers, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard essentially tied for the best record at managing provincial finances. “As provinces prepare their … Read more
