The federal government will not balance its budget over the next 30 years as a result of Canada’s aging population and Ottawa’s historically high spending, which existed before the COVID-19 pandemic and may be increased further in the Throne Speech, finds a new study by the Fraser Institute. “Before any potential new spending is announced … Read more
The combined size of the federal, provincial and municipal governments increased in all but two provinces over the past 10 years relative to the sizes of their economies, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute. “The size of government has been on the rise all across Canada for years, which will impact the … Read more
The average Canadian family spent more than 42 per cent of its income on taxes in 2019—more than housing, food and clothing costs combined, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute. “Taxes remain the largest household expense for families in Canada,” said Jake Fuss, economist at the Fraser Institute and co-author of The Canadian … Read more
A typical Canadian family of four (two parents, two children) will pay an estimated $14,474 for public health-care insurance this year, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “Canadians pay a substantial amount of money for health care through a variety of taxes—even if we don’t … Read more
Access to affordable, abundant energy will promote economic growth and help Canada recover from the COVID recession, finds a new study released by the Fraser Institute. “There is a clear link between energy use and economic activity, and policies that constrain energy use, such as artificially higher prices, are harmful to economic growth,” said Elmira … Read more
Repealing Ontario’s eight-year-old and so-called “temporary” tax increase on professionals, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers would significantly increase economic activity—and cost very little in forgone tax revenues, finds a study, entitled The Revenue Effects of Rescinding Ontario’s Tax Rate Hike on High-income Earners, released by the Fraser Institute. “To help Ontario recover from the COVID recession, the … Read more
The Fraser Institute released a new study entitled “Canada’s Rising Personal Tax Rates and Falling Tax Competitiveness, 2020.” The study notes that recent personal income tax rate increases at the federal and provincial levels have helped widen the income tax rate gap between the U.S. and Canada. For example, among all 61 provinces and states, … Read more
The Fraser Institute released a new study entitled “Explaining the Growth in Federal Program Spending since 2015.” The study finds that of 34 federal government departments, programs and agencies, just five—covering Indigenous affairs, child benefits, seniors’ benefits, Canada Health Transfer and defence—account for nearly two-thirds of the total increase in spending since 2015. The study finds … Read more
The Fraser Institute released its annual rankings of Alberta high schools and elementary schools, allowing parents to compare the academic performance of schools across the province. This year, the Report Card on Alberta’s Elementary Schools ranks 863 public, Catholic, independent and charter schools based on seven academic indicators derived from provincewide test results. The Report Card on Alberta’s … Read more
The Fraser Institute has released a study entitled “Extended Employment Insurance Now Open to All: Atlantic Canada’s Warning for Other Provinces.” The study finds that in April and May of this year, workers across Canada (on average) had to work a minimum 627.5 hours to qualify for EI benefits. That minimum amount of hours translated … Read more
