=============
FRASER UPDATE
A weekly digest of our latest research, commentary, and blog posts
=============
Latest Research
---------------------
Personal freedom on the wane worldwide: report
This year’s Human Freedom Index, which spotlights 162 countries, measures personal freedom—which includes freedom of movement, speech, assembly and religion—alongside economic freedom, the ability of individuals to make their own economic decisions without government or crony interference. New Zealand tops this year’s freedom index followed by Switzerland, Hong Kong, Denmark and Australia. The five least-free countries are (in descending order) Iran, Yemen, Venezuela, Sudan and Syria. Rankings for other significant countries include Canada (6th), Germany (9th), the United Kingdom and the United States (tied for 17th).
Read More [[link removed]]
Canadian generosity has hit a new low
Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2020 Generosity Index finds that the total amount donated to registered charities by Canadians in 2018—just 0.54 per cent of their income—is the second lowest amount since at least 2000. By comparison, American tax-filers donated 1.97 per cent of their income to registered charities in 2018—more than four times the percentage Canadians claimed.
Read More [[link removed]]
Commentary and Blog Posts
-------------------
New ‘stock options’ rules will make Canada less attractive to top talent [[link removed]]
(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Steven Globerman and Alex Whalen
Ottawa plans to limit the deductibility of stock options as a form of compensation.
Flawed federal carbon-pricing plan will hurt economy [[link removed]]
by Jairo Yunis and Elmira Aliakbari
According to the Trudeau government plan, the carbon tax will reach $170 by 2030.
Kenney government must control spending to stop Alberta’s fiscal fall [[link removed]]
(Appeared in the Edmonton Sun) by Ben Eisen and Milagros Palacios
Alberta’s elevated spending levels produced large budget deficits and mounting debt.
New Brunswick health-care wait times among longest in Canada [[link removed]]
(Appeared in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner) by Alex Whalen, Bacchus Barua, and Mackenzie Moir
In 2020, patients in New Brunswick faced a median 41.3 week wait for medically necessary treatment.
Deep flaw in EU architecture can erase pro-market reforms [[link removed]]
by Fred McMahon
The European Union enjoyed its pinnacle of influence after the Soviet Union collapsed.
Alberta’s finances—back to the ’90s? [[link removed]]
by Ben Eisen and Tegan Hill
The province expects a $15.5 billion budget deficit next year.
Higher electricity costs disproportionality hurting southwestern Ontario [[link removed]]
(Appeared in the Epoch Times) by Elmira Aliakbari and Jason Clemens
Windsor was the only city tracked by StatsCan to experience a decline in median household income.
Ottawa should empower provinces to generate health-care funding [[link removed]]
by Ben Eisen
Premier Ford wants the federal government to cover 35 per cent of health-care costs, up from 22 per cent.
Freer trade will benefit Atlantic provinces more than others [[link removed]]
(Appeared in National Newswatch) by Ben Eisen and Alex Whalen
COVID has interrupted the free movement of products and people.
National economy relies heavily on Toronto and Vancouver housing markets [[link removed]]
by Steven Globerman and Ben Eisen
B.C. has seen relatively low levels of capital investment in productivity-enhancing assets.
Higher federal carbon tax will imperil Canadian competitiveness [[link removed]]
by Elmira Aliakbari and Jason Clemens
The federal government now wants a $170 per tonne carbon tax by 2030.
Hope springs eternal for freedom worldwide [[link removed]]
by Fred McMahon
The Chinese Communist Party has intensified its attack on freedom at home and abroad.
SUPPORT THE FRASER INSTITUTE
------------------
The Fraser Institute has been ranked the #1 think tank in Canada, and the 14th best think tank out of more than 8,200 around the world! We keep Canadians – and decision-makers! – informed.
But we are only as strong as our supporters. We do not accept government grants or payments for research - we depend on individuals like you to continue our good work! We are a charity - your donation entitles you to a generous tax credit at tax time!
Donate Now [[link removed]]
Contact Us [[link removed]]
Privacy Policy [[link removed]]
Unsubscribe [link removed]
The Fraser Institute's mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. Email is one of the best tools we have to accomplish these goals. If you no longer wish to receive e-mail updates from us, click here to unsubscribe [link removed].
Fraser Institute | 4th Floor, 1770 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3G7
