Dear John,

Here at the Fraser Institute we conduct research that often exposes things that may otherwise go unnoticed.

By doing so, we give Canadians the tools they need to hold their governments accountable!

Here are just a couple recent examples:

Inflation

The price of food, housing and other necessities has risen, squeezing household budgets across Canada.

But no bill has increased for the average Canadian family more than the tax bill.

A few weeks ago we released our annual Canadian Consumer Tax Index which found that the average Canadian family spends more on taxes than on housing, food and clothing… combined!

This report gets widespread attention every year, and this year was no different – it generated hundreds of media stories and continues to reach tens of thousands of people online.

And when Pierre Poilievre made his first appearance in Question Period as the new Conservative leader, he mentioned our study:

“This week, the Fraser Institute published a report showing Canadians are spending more on taxes than on food, clothing and shelter combined. Now, with 40-year highs in inflation, house prices having doubled, Canadians cannot afford to pay anymore. Will the government cancel its planned tax increases on pay cheques, gas, heat and groceries?”

The job market

According to most in the media, statistics show that Canada’s labour market has recovered nicely from the COVID recession that began in 2020.

But as you know, we can’t rely on the media to properly analyze the data.

Which is why we released another study which found that Canada’s private sector has seen almost no job growth since the onset of the pandemic.

We found that the government sector accounted for nearly 90% of new jobs created since the start of the pandemic. Obviously, this type of government-driven labour market recovery is unsustainable!

And now, Canadians know that: this study generated massive attention, including on the front page of the National Post, Globe and Mail, and across the Sun chain. And it reached millions of people on social media!

John, these are just two of the more than 70 studies we have put out so far this year alone.

Those studies have generated over 28,500 media stories; over 3,100 op-eds; guided almost two million people to our websites; and reached a combined audience of over 40 million people on social media!

In fact, we get more newspaper, TV, radio and online coverage than any think tank or advocacy group in Canada.

But there’s much more we need to do.

We need your help.

Unlike a huge portion of the news media in Canada, we do not accept government funding to conduct our research. We rely entirely on supporters like you!

If you are able to, please consider making a donation today.

Your support will ensure that we continue to move the needle on public discourse in Canada!

Sincerely,

Niels Veldhuis
President
The Fraser Institute