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Latest Research

Higher spending on K-12 education does not result in better student outcomes

School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries is a new study that finds higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender but ranked 8th out of the 10 provinces in scores on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Manitoba was the second highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores.

Federal tax reform can reduce the top marginal income tax rate and eliminate middle income tax rates, leaving just two tax rates

Enhancing Economic Growth Through Federal Personal Income Tax Reform is a new study that finds the federal government can reduce the top marginal income tax rate to 29.0 per cent—where it was before the Trudeau government increased it—and completely eliminate the three middle income tax rates of 20.5 per cent, 26.0 per cent, and 29.0 per cent by reforming and simplifying the tax code and removing a host of special carve outs, credits and other tax measures.

Natural resources contribute more than $30 billion to BC’s economy

The Role of Natural Resources in British Columbia’s Economy, by Senior Fellow Philip Cross, is the first essay in a new series looking at public policy in B.C. This essay quantifies the important role natural resources play in British Columbia’s economy, including the impact on both gross domestic product and employment.

Realities of Socialism: Life AFTER Socialism in Estonia

Prof. Peter Boettke, PhD, Director of the F.A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at George Mason University and co-author of The Road to Socialism and Back, returns to discuss with host Rosemarie Fike what life in Estonia was like post-transition and the impact this had on rights and mobility for citizens.

Commentary and Blog Posts

Wanted—a federal leader who will be honest about ‘climate’ policy

(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Ross McKitrick

With current technology, affordable policies yield only small temporary emission reductions.

School board shouldn’t let non-graduating students walk across the stage

(Appeared in the Epoch Times) by Michael Zwaagstra

The plan will diminish the value of high school graduation for students who deserve to receive their diplomas.

Western societies must stop the spread of Marxism

(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Ross McKitrick

The doctrine spreads because the “oppressed” gain instant status and power without the need for virtues or accomplishments.

Federal carbon tax hike will hurt future generations

(Appeared in the Toronto Sun) by Kenneth P. Green

According to estimates, a $170 carbon tax would shrink Canada’s economy by 1.8 per cent and produce significant job losses.

Newfoundland and Labrador government squanders another opportunity to reduce crushing debt

by Alex Whalen and Jake Fuss

On a per-person basis, government spending will increase to $19,238, the highest of any province in Canada.

Alberta government increased spending despite promise of ‘restraint’

(Appeared in the Calgary Sun) by Tegan Hill

The province plans to spend $13.9 billion more over two fiscal years than originally planned in mid-year 2022.

Provinces lack power grids necessary to meet Ottawa’s EV mandate

(Appeared in the Montreal Gazette) by Elmira Aliakbari and Cornelis "Kees" van Kooten

The government’s electric vehicle mandate could escalate electricity demand by up to 15.3 per cent nationwide.

Trans Mountain pipeline’s soaring cost provides more proof of government failure

(Appeared in the Edmonton Journal) by Julio Mejía and Elmira Aliakbari

Since the government purchased the project for $4.5 billion, the cost of the Trans Mountain expansion has ballooned to $34 billion.

Singapore is not China—and some U.S. politicians should study the difference

by Matthew D. Mitchell and Steven Globerman

The average Singaporean earns about 30 per cent more than the average American.

Party leadership hopeful makes erroneous claims about school choice in Alberta

(Appeared in True North) by Paige MacPherson

If the government operates a short list of school options, it won’t provide the diversity many families require.

Saskatchewan’s free-spending budget includes $273 million deficit

by Tegan Hill

The province's net debt will reach a projected $16.3 billion in 2024/25.

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