Editing Fraser Institute

{{Short description|Canadian public policy think tank}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = The Fraser Institute
| image = Fraser Institute logo.svg
| size = 120px
| abbreviation =
| formation = {{start date and age|1974}}
| type = Public policy [[think tank]], [[Charitable organization|charity]]
| leader_title = President
| leader_name  = [[Niels Veldhuis]]
| headquarters = 1770 Burrard Street
| location = [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada
|coords = {{Coords|49.2700|-123.1453|display=inline,title}}
| website = [http://www.fraserinstitute.org www.fraserinstitute.org]
}}
The '''Fraser Institute''' is a Canadian [[Conservatism in Canada|conservative]] public policy [[think tank]] registered as a [[Charitable organization|charity]].<ref name="Schultze_2003">{{Cite book| publisher = VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften| isbn = 978-3-8100-3812-8| last1 = Schultze| first1 = Rainer-Olaf| last2 = Sturm| first2 = Roland| last3 = Eberle| first3 = Dagmar| title = Conservative Parties and Right-Wing Politics in North America: Reaping the Benefits of an Ideological Victory?| date = 2003-02-28}}</ref><ref name="NYT_Stance">{{cite news|author=Clifford Krauss|date=28 February 2006|title=In Canada, private medicine spreads|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/world/americas/28iht-canada.html|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107002136/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/world/americas/28iht-canada.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CalgaryHerald">{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=8c492527-8a82-40b2-9d51-30bb25a92802 |title=Fraser Institute to pay tuition for poor Albertans |date=18 January 2006 |publisher=[[Calgary Herald]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030354/http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=8c492527-8a82-40b2-9d51-30bb25a92802 |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref><ref name="KaiNielsen">{{Cite book| publisher = Rowman and Littlefield| isbn = 978-0-8476-7516-6|author=[[Kai Nielsen (philosopher)|Kai Nielsen]]| title = Equality and Liberty: A Defense of Radical Egalitarianism| date = 1985 |location=Totowa, New Jersey }}</ref><ref name="LangleyTimes">{{cite web |url=http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/aldergrovestar/news/125523983.html |title=Passing grade for LMH |author=Dan Ferguson |date=13 July 2011 |publisher=Langley Times |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=4 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004140500/http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/aldergrovestar/news/125523983.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It is headquartered in [[Vancouver]], with additional offices in [[Calgary]], [[Toronto]], and [[Montreal]]. It has links to think tanks worldwide through the Economic Freedom Network<ref name=EFN>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/economic-freedom/map|title=Economic Freedom of the World|date=December 22, 2016|website=Fraser Institute|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917165932/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/economic-freedom/map|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Fraser Institute News Release">{{cite web| url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fraser-institute-news-release-b-100000842.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALpHc0duSgvR7GKnezflAJNk73aC6PEyFa3i2_iJ2vRr5U55xT3AzHsatXEHQrN9MaxUXiO5lmN0dEiFIeD0xQZNR0k_TuEZoM50RAN8tgLVIkbWtOoIFSxG6WuCdHr8KQ-mC_C8HujMR9aB7m2AE_XlvXMkw8StNvfFjlpEB4nV |title=Fraser Institute News Release: B.C. elementary schools can improve student performance despite challenges |date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Global Go To">{{cite web |date=February 4, 2015 |title=Media Release |url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2020-think-tank-ranking-newsrelease.pdf |access-date=January 31, 2020 |website=Fraser Institute |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107010255/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2020-think-tank-ranking-newsrelease.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and is a member of the free-market [[Atlas Network]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Global Directory |url=http://www.atlasnetwork.org/partners/global-directory/canada |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315210040/http://www.atlasnetwork.org/partners/global-directory/canada |archive-date=15 March 2015 |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=[[Atlas Network]]}}</ref>

In 2020, the ''Global Go To [[Think Tank]] Index Report'' ranked Fraser as 14th of the "Top Think Tanks Worldwide" and 1 in the "Top Think Tanks in Mexico and Canada".<ref name="News Release">{{cite web |date=February 5, 2021 |title=News release: Fraser Institute ranked 14th best think tank in the world: Recognised as an international Centre of Excellence |url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/global-go-to-think-tank-ranking-2021-newsrelease.pdf |access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref>

==History==
The Fraser Institute was founded in 1974 by [[Michael Walker (economist)|Michael Walker]], an economist from the [[University of Western Ontario]], and businessman T. Patrick Boyle, then a vice-president of [[MacMillan Bloedel Limited|MacMillan Bloedel]].<ref name="retro" /> The institute is named after the [[Fraser River]].<ref name="EFN" /> According to [[CBC News]], some people allege that Michael Walker helped set up the institute after he received financial backing from forestry giant [[MacMillan Bloedel]], largely to counter [[British Columbia]]'s NDP government, then led by premier [[Dave Barrett]].<ref name="FI30">{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2010 |title=CBC News Indepth: Fraser Institute |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fraserinstitute/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811205932/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fraserinstitute/ |archive-date=11 August 2010 |website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref>

[[Antony Fisher]], who had founded the [[Institute of Economic Affairs]] in the United Kingdom, was a co-founder.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last1=Westervelt |first1=Amy |author1-link=Amy Westervelt |last2=Dembicki |first2=Geoff |author2-link=Geoff Dembicki |date=2023-09-12 |title=Meet the Shadowy Global Network Vilifying Climate Protesters |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/175488/meet-shadowy-global-network-vilifying-climate-protesters |access-date=2023-09-16 |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |issn=0028-6583}}</ref> It obtained charitable status in Canada on October 22, 1974, and in the United States in 1978.<ref name="retro">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160313063050/http://fraseramerica.org/files/pdfs/about_us/30th_retrospective.pdf The Fraser Institute at 30: A Retrospective]}} Fraser Institute</ref> It is a member of the [[Atlas Network]], which Fisher founded in 1981.<ref name=":2" />  Fisher was appointed acting director in 1975, until Walker became executive director in 1977.<ref name="retro" />

In late 1997, the institute set up a research program emulating the UK's [[Social Affairs Unit]], called the Social Affairs Centre. Its founding director was [[Patrick Basham]]. The program's funding came from [[Rothmans International]] and [[Philip Morris USA|Philip Morris]].<ref name="letter">Fraser Institute letter of 28 January 2000 to [[British American Tobacco]] chairman Martin Broughton, [http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/lbc53a99 Letter to Martin Broughton regarding research program in emulation of the social affairs unit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614121101/http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/lbc53a99|date=2011-06-14}}, disclosed via [[Legacy Tobacco Documents Library]].</ref> When Rothmans was bought by [[British American Tobacco]] (BAT) in 1999, its funding ended,<ref name="Gutstein" /> and in 2000 the institute wrote to BAT asking for $50,000 per year, to be split between the Social Affairs Centre and the Centre for Risk and Regulation.<ref name="letter" /> The letter highlighted the institute's 1999 publication ''Passive Smoke: The EPA's Betrayal of Science and Policy'',<ref>[[John Luik]] and [[Gio Batta Gori]] (1999), ''[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/publicationdisplay.aspx?id=15937&terms=passive+smoke Passive Smoke: The EPA's Betrayal of Science and Policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310080044/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/publicationdisplay.aspx?id=15937&terms=passive+smoke|date=2012-03-10}}'', Vancouver: Fraser Institute</ref> "which highlighted the absence of any scientific evidence for linking cancer with second-hand smoke [and] received widespread media coverage both in Canada and the United States".<ref name="letter" /> At this time the CEO of BAT's Canadian subsidiary, Imasco, was also on the Fraser Institute's board of trustees.<ref name="Gutstein" />

In 1999, the Fraser Institute was criticized by health professionals and scientists for sponsoring two conferences on the [[tobacco industry]] entitled ''Junk Science, Junk Policy? Managing Risk and Regulation'' and ''Should Government Butt Out? The Pros and Cons of Tobacco Regulation.'' Critics charged the institute was associating itself with the tobacco industry's many attempts to discredit authentic scientific work.<ref name="FI30" />

The Fraser Institute accepted donations worth $100,000 from [[Philip Morris International|Philip Morris]] for "publishing research studies" in 2011–2012.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |author1=Jessica Glenza |author2=Sharon Kelly |author3=Juweek Adolphe |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Free-market groups and the tobacco industry - full database |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2019/jan/23/free-market-thinktanks-tobacco-control-polices-database#0/?cato-institute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621024634/https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2019/jan/23/free-market-thinktanks-tobacco-control-polices-database#0/?cato-institute |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |agency=}}</ref> Research produced by the Institute has previously argued that "tobacco taxation causes smuggling",<ref>{{cite web |author1=Nachum Gabler |author2=Diane Katz |date=July 2010 |title=Contraband Tobacco in Canada: Tax Policies and Black Market Incentives |url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/contraband-tobacco-in-canada.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121162358/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/contraband-tobacco-in-canada.pdf |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |access-date=November 21, 2023 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref> a common claim by corporations in the industry that has been disputed by public health officials and critics as exaggerated and erroneous.<ref name=":4" />

According to the January 2020 ''Global Go To [[Think Tank]] Index Report'' ([[Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program]], [[University of Pennsylvania]]), Fraser is number 14 (of 8,200) in the "Top Think Tanks Worldwide" and number 1 in the "Top Think Tanks in Mexico and Canada".<ref name="Global Go To" />

==Staff==
In April 2012, economist Niels Veldhuis was appointed president.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gyarmati |first1=Sandor |date=April 18, 2012 |title=Local now leads Fraser Institute |url=http://www.delta-optimist.com/news/local-now-leads-fraser-institute-1.464007 |access-date=24 November 2014 |publisher=Delta Optimist |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213448/http://www.delta-optimist.com/news/local-now-leads-fraser-institute-1.464007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The institute is governed by a board of trustees. Current members of the board include Peter Brown (chairman), Mark Mitchell (vice-chairman), and Edward Belzberg (vice-chairman).<ref>[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/about-us/who-we-are/board-of-directors.aspx Board of Directors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727202538/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/about-us/who-we-are/board-of-directors.aspx|date=2011-07-27}} Fraser Institute</ref>

Previous Directors at the Fraser Institute include:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Farrell |first1=Norm |title=Fraser Institute. Who are they anyway? |url=https://in-sights.ca/2016/07/10/fraser-institute-who-are-they-anyway/ |access-date=November 21, 2023 |website=In-Sights |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121165804/https://in-sights.ca/2016/07/10/fraser-institute-who-are-they-anyway/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Antony Fisher]], founder of the [[Atlas Network]] and [[Institute of Economic Affairs|IEA]]
* [[Michael Walker (economist)|Michael Walker]], co-founder of Fraser Institute
* Frank Rochon, Vice Chairman/NMP of [[Deloitte|Deloitte Canada]]
* [[Salem Ben Nasser Al-Ismaily]], Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman
* Joni Avram, former Communications Director of the [[Reform Party of Canada]]
* Ryan Beedie, President of the Beedie Group (largest private industrial land owner, developer and property manager in Western Canada)
* Edward S. Belzberg, Jayberg Enterprises Ltd.
* Brad Bennett, former Chief Advisor to [[Christy Clark]], former chair of [[BC Hydro]]
* Joseph C. Canavan, CEO of [[CI Financial|Assante Wealth Management]]
* Alex A. Chaufen, former President of [[Atlas Network]]
* Derwood Chase Jr., founder of [[JPMorgan Chase|Chase Investment Counsel Corporation]], trustee of [[Reason Foundation]] and [[Mont Pelerin Society]]
* Tracie Crook, COO of [[McCarthy Tétrault]] law firm and former CEO of ResMor Trust Company
* James W. Davidson, CEO/co-founder of FirstEnergy Capital Corp. (with Rick Grafton, [[W. Brett Wilson]], and [[N. Murray Edwards]].

=== Board of Directors ===
The Fraser Institute's Board of Directors is mainly composed of prominent executives from corporations, financial institutions, investment capital firms, and [[REIT]]s in Canada. As of August 2023, the Board was composed of:
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
 ! scope="col" | '''Name'''
 ! scope="col" | '''Role'''
 ! scope="col" | '''Background'''
 |-
 ! scope="row" | Mark Scott
 | Chair || Vice-President of Abinger Property Management/[[Nu-West]], Manager at [[Morguard]] Corporation, Board Trustee at Wardley (HSBC) China Investment Trust, Director of Asian Capital Partners, Managing Director for [[Scotiabank]], Global Banking & Markets, President of [[Douglas & McIntyre]] Publishers, Board Director of [[China Education Resources]], Executive Vice-President of Genesis Land Development Corporation, Managing Partner of Balfour Pacific Capital.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Scott |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-scott-9952b79/ |access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref>
 |-
 ! scope="row" | [[Peter M. Brown]]
 | Past Chair || Founder of [[Canaccord Genuity]], Manager of Corporate Finance at Greenshields (Canada's oldest private brokerage), Past Chair of Vancouver Police Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter M. Brown |url=https://peterbrowncapital.com/biography/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821220757/https://peterbrowncapital.com/biography/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 |-
 ! scope="row" | Rod Senft
 | Vice-Chair, British Columbia || Lawyer at [[Thompson Dorfman Sweatman]], Secretary/General Counsel for [[Cargill]], Partner at Davis & Company LLP (now absorbed by [[DLA Piper]]), Managing Director of Tricor Pacific Capital Inc., Director of Pender West Capital Partners Inc., Managing Director of Tricor Pacific Founders Capital Inc., Chairman/CEO of Hines Nurseries (filed for bankruptcy in 2008) and SunGro Horticulture, Founder of Parallel49 Equity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rod Senft |url=https://www.p49equity.com/team/rod-senft/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821220757/https://www.p49equity.com/team/rod-senft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 |-
 ! scope="row" | Andrew Judson
 | Vice-Chair, Alberta || Managing Director of Camcor Partners Inc., Director of WinSport Inc. Foundation Committee, Director/Senior Advisor at Daytona Power Corporation, Managing Director of Institutional Sales at FirstEnergy Capital Inc., Director of Pieridae Energy Limited, Lead Director of Condor Energies Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andrew Judson |url=https://condorenergies.ca/board-members/andrew-judson/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821220757/https://condorenergies.ca/board-members/andrew-judson/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 |-
 ! scope="row" | Shaun Francis
 | Vice-Chair, Ontario || CEO of Medcan, Senior Vice-President of The Broadlane Group, Inc., [[Morgan Stanley]] in New York & Toronto, Founder of [[True Patriot Love Foundation]], Board Member of [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], Board Member of [[Upper Canada College]], Chair of [[Young Presidents' Organization]], Ontario Chapter.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shaun Francis |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauncfrancis/?originalSubdomain=ca |access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref>
 |-
 ! scope="row" | Jonathan Wener
 | Vice-Chair, Quebec || Founder/CEO of Canderel, Chancellor of [[Concordia University]], Board Member of Kehilla Group Montreal, Trustee/Board Member of Jewish General Hospital Foundation, Board Member of [[Montreal Museum of Fine Arts]], Honorary Council of [[Montreal Symphony Orchestra]], Board Member of [[Laurentian Bank of Canada]], Co-Chair of [[Federation CJA]] Campaign, Executive Committee of [[Israel Bonds]]/Development Corporation for Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Wener |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-wener-b2388878/ |access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref>
|}

=== Associated people ===
The institute has attracted some well-known individuals to its ranks, including politicians such as former [[Reform Party of Canada]] leader [[Preston Manning]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fraser Institute |title=Preston Manning |url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/profile/preston-manning |access-date=24 July 2019 |website=The Fraser Institute |archive-date=24 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724090729/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/profile/preston-manning |url-status=live }}</ref> former Progressive Conservative Ontario premier [[Mike Harris]], and former Progressive Conservative Alberta premier [[Ralph Klein]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-20 |title=Founders' Award |url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/event/founders-award |access-date=2021-05-07 |website=Fraser Institute |language=en |archive-date=2021-05-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514214502/https://fraserinstitute.org/event/founders-award |url-status=live }}</ref> From 1979 to 1991, the institute's senior economist was [[Walter Block]].<ref>[http://www.walterblock.com/wp-content/uploads/cv/block_cv.pdf Walter Block curriculum vitae] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819031635/http://www.walterblock.com/wp-content/uploads/cv/block_cv.pdf |date=2019-08-19 }} on Walterblock.com, p. 2.</ref>

==Ideology==
The Fraser Institute describes itself as "an independent, non-partisan research and educational organization",<ref name="WWA">[https://www.fraserinstitute.org/about Who We Are] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102214603/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/about |date=2022-11-02 }} Fraser Institute</ref> and envisions "a free and prosperous world where individuals benefit from greater choice, competitive markets, and personal responsibility".<ref name="MIS">[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/aboutus/whoweare/mission.htm Mission] Fraser Institute {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230152050/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/aboutus/whoweare/mission.htm|date=December 30, 2009}}</ref> The Fraser Institute's stated mission is "to measure, study, and communicate the impact of competitive markets and government intervention on the welfare of individuals."<ref name="MIS" />

''[[Forbes]]'' has referred to the think tank as [[Libertarianism|libertarian]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Competitive and Not |author=Tim W. Ferguson |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2004/0920/005.html |work=[[Forbes.com]] |date=September 20, 2004 |access-date=2010-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118122230/http://www.forbes.com/global/2004/0920/005.html |archive-date=January 18, 2012 }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' has described the institute as libertarian.<ref name=":1">[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/18/business/worldbusiness/18iht-wbmarket18_ed3_.html With Interest: Turning the tables on reform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006131138/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/18/business/worldbusiness/18iht-wbmarket18_ed3_.html|date=2014-10-06}} ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref> ''Langley Times'' classified it as [[Right-libertarianism|right-of-centre libertarian]].<ref name="LangleyTimes" />

== Activities ==

=== Research and publications ===
{{Third-party|section|date=September 2023}}
The institute self-publishes a variety of reports:
* '''Economic Freedom Index''': The institute's annual [[Economic Freedom of the World]] index ranks the countries of the world according to their degrees of [[economic freedom]].<ref name="EFW">{{cite web |last=McMahon |first=Fred |title=Economic Freedom of the World: 2010 Report |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810201702/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2010.pdf |archive-date=10 August 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref> The institute has also published regional and sub-national reports ranking the economic freedom of North America, Latin America, the Arab World, and the Francophonie.<ref>{{cite web |author=Fraser Institute |title=Economic Freedom Network Regional and Sub-National Reports |url=http://www.freetheworld.com/regional.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120014339/http://www.freetheworld.com/regional.html |archive-date=2016-11-20 |access-date=2013-12-11 |publisher=Freetheworld.com}}</ref> These reports are distributed worldwide through the Economic Freedom Network, a global network of 80 think-tanks.<ref name="EFN" />
* '''Human Freedom Index''': Along with the [[Cato Institute]] and the Liberales Institut at the [[Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom]], the Fraser Institute publishes annual [[Human Freedom Index]], which presents the state of human freedom in the world based on a broad measure of 76 distinct indicators that encompasses personal, civil, and economic freedom.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 18, 2015 |title=The Fraser Institute: Canada Ranks Sixth on Human Freedom Index, Far Ahead of United States in 20th |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fraser-institute-canada-ranks-sixth-093000158.html |work=Yahoo! Finance |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202073641/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fraser-institute-canada-ranks-sixth-093000158.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  The index presents a broad measure of human freedom, understood as the absence of coercive constraint. The index covers the following areas: Rule of Law, Security and Safety, Movement, Religion, Association, Assembly, and Civil Society, Expression, Relationships, Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Access to Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally, and Regulation of Credit, Labor, and Business.<ref>{{cite news |author=Tarik El Barakah |date=September 3, 2015 |title=The Fraser Institute: Canada Ranks Sixth on Human Freedom Index, Far Ahead of United States in 20th |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/09/167071/morocco-ranks-121-on-human-freedom-index/ |work=Morocco World News |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115011203/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/09/167071/morocco-ranks-121-on-human-freedom-index/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Human Freedom Index was created in 2015, covering 152 countries for years 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 20, 2015 |title=The Human Freedom Index |url=https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-canada-cited-cbc-newss-new-Brunswick |work=CBC News's New Brunswick First |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114233831/https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-canada-cited-cbc-newss-new-brunswick |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=August 20, 2015 |title=The Human Freedom Index |url=https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-us-discussed-foxs-outnumbered |work=FOX's Outnumbered |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114234224/https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-us-discussed-foxs-outnumbered |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=August 19, 2015 |title=The Human Freedom Index ranking of Canada |url=https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-canada-cited-cbcs-exchange-amanda-lang |work=CBC's The Exchange with Amanda Lang |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114234508/https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-canada-cited-cbcs-exchange-amanda-lang |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=August 18, 2015 |title=The Human Freedom Index ranking of Canada |url=https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-canada-cited-ctv-am |work=CTV AM |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114233949/https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-canada-cited-ctv-am |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=August 23, 2015 |title=The Human Freedom Index |url=https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-us-discussed-cnns-fareed-zakaria-gps |work=CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114233514/https://www.cato.org/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/human-freedom-index-ranking-us-discussed-cnns-fareed-zakaria-gps |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2016 data for 2013 was added, covering 157 countries.
* '''''Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada''''' is the institute's annual report on hospital waiting times in Canada, based on a nationwide survey of physicians and health care practitioners. The twentieth annual survey, released December 2010, found that the total waiting time between referral from a general practitioner and delivery of elective treatment by a specialist, averaged across 12 specialties and 10 provinces surveyed, had risen from 16.1 weeks in 2009 to 18.2 weeks in 2010.<ref name="WYT">{{cite web |last=Skinner |first=Brett |title=Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada 2010 Report |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/waiting-your-turn-2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812113153/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/waiting-your-turn-2010.pdf |archive-date=12 August 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=September 2023|reason=needed per [[WP:IS]] for context and proportion}}
* '''Survey of Mining Companies''': Published annually, the global ''Survey of Mining Companies''  ranks the investment climates of mining jurisdictions around the world, based on the opinions of mining industry executives and managers.<ref>{{cite web |last=McMahon |first=Fred |title=Survey of Mining Companies: 2011/2012 |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/display.aspx?id=18045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309200500/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/display.aspx?id=18045 |archive-date=9 March 2012 |access-date=23 March 2012 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref>
* '''Global Petroleum Survey''': An annual survey of petroleum executives regarding barriers to investment in oil- and gas-producing regions around the world.<ref name="GPS">{{cite web |last=Angevine |first=Gerry |title=Global Petroleum Survey 2011 |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/global-petroleum-survey-2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812113017/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/global-petroleum-survey-2011.pdf |archive-date=12 August 2011 |access-date=29 July 2011 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref>
* '''Canadian Provincial Investment Climate''': A series of reports measuring the extent to which Canadian provinces embrace public policies that contribute to, and sustain, positive investment climates.<ref>{{cite web |last=Veldhuis |first=Niels |title=Canadian Provincial Investment Climate 2010 Report |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/canadian-provincial-investment-climate-2010.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310080541/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/canadian-provincial-investment-climate-2010.pdf |archive-date=10 March 2012 |access-date=22 March 2011 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref>
* '''Firearms reports'''. The Fraser Institute issued a number of articles and statements opposing Canadian [[Gun politics in Canada|gun control laws]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Gun Laws do Not Reduce Criminal Violence According to New Study |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/news/display.aspx?id=12410 |access-date=2013-12-11 |publisher=Fraserinstitute.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Some International Evidence on Gun Bans and Murder Rates |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/research/display.aspx?id=11093 |access-date=2013-12-11 |publisher=Fraserinstitute.org |archive-date=2013-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214201312/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/research/display.aspx?id=11093 |url-status=live }}</ref> including [[Canadian Firearms Registry|firearms registry]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Misfire: Firearm registration in Canada |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/news/display.aspx?id=12538 |access-date=2013-12-11 |publisher=Fraserinstitute.org |archive-date=2013-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214201233/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/news/display.aspx?id=12538 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''School Report Cards''': Every year, the institute publishes a series of ''School Report Cards'' ranking the academic performance of schools in [[British Columbia]], [[Alberta]], [[Ontario]], [[Quebec]], and [[Washington state]] based on the publicly available results of standardized testing mandated and administered by the provinces.<ref>[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/report-cards/school-performance/overview.aspx School Report Cards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724082203/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/report-cards/school-performance/overview.aspx|date=2011-07-24}} Fraser Institute</ref> The website www.compareschoolrankings.org allows users to compare up to five schools at once, based on a variety of performance indicators.<ref>[http://www.compareschoolrankings.org Compare School Rankings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022025645/http://www.compareschoolrankings.org/ |date=2011-10-22 }} Fraser Institute</ref>
* '''Tax Freedom Day''': The institute's annual ''[[Tax Freedom Day]]'' report calculates the day the average Canadian family has paid off the total tax bill and royalties imposed on them and corporations by all levels of government.<ref name="tfd">{{citation |title=Tax Freedom Day in Canada |work=Fraser Institute |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/news/display.aspx?id=17634 |access-date=2011-07-29 |archive-date=2011-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911200811/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/news/display.aspx?id=17634 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, Tax Freedom Day was June 7 with $45,167 (42.9 per cent of income) having been collected per family.<ref>[https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/canadians-celebrate-tax-freedom-day-on-june-7-2016 Canadians Celebrate Tax Freedom Day on June 7, 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621164944/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/canadians-celebrate-tax-freedom-day-on-june-7-2016 |date=June 21, 2017 }} Fraser Institute</ref> The institute also offers a personal ''Tax Freedom Day'' calculator.<ref>[https://www.fraserinstitute.org/tax-freedom-day-calculator Personal Tax Freedom Day Calculator] Fraser Institute</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=September 2023|reason=needed per [[WP:IS]] for context and proportion}}
* The institute publishes three magazines: ''Fraser Forum'', a bi-monthly review of public policy in Canada; ''Perspectives'', a French-language review of public policy in [[Quebec]] and [[la Francophonie]]; and ''Canadian Student Review'', a look at current affairs written for students, by students.<ref>[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/research/magazines.aspx Magazines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723043806/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/research/magazines.aspx|date=2011-07-23}} Fraser Institute</ref>
* In March 2010, the institute released ''Did Government Stimulus Fuel Economic Growth in Canada? An Analysis of Statistics Canada Data'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Veldhuis |first=Niels |title=Did Government Stimulus Fuel Economic Growth in Canada? An Analysis of Statistics Canada Data |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15736 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807055742/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15736 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref> a report critical of the Harper government's Economic Action Plan, concluding that the stimulus package did not have a material impact on Canada's economic turnaround in the latter half of 2009.{{Third-party inline|date=September 2023|reason=needed per [[WP:IS]] for context and proportion}}

=== Other initiatives ===

==== Children First ====
Canada's first privately funded program of its kind, ''Children First: School Choice Trust'',<ref>[http://www.childrenfirstgrants.ca/main/index.php?pid=1&page_id=204 Children First: School Choice Trust] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328083913/http://www.childrenfirstgrants.ca/main/index.php?pid=1&page_id=204|date=2012-03-28}} Fraser Institute</ref> offers tuition assistance grants to help parents in financial need send their children to an independent school of their choice. The program was discontinued in 2012.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Raptis |first=Helen |date=2012-04-06 |title=Ending the reign of the Fraser Institute's school rankings |url=https://journals.sfu.ca/cje/index.php/cje-rce/article/view/864 |journal=Canadian Journal of Education |volume=35 |issue=1}}</ref>

==== Donner Awards ====
Canada's largest non-profit recognition program, the ''Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services''<ref name="donner">{{Cite web|url=https://donnerawards.org/|title=Donnerawards.org|date=September 24, 2024|website=Donnerawards.org|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-date=August 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829171310/https://donnerawards.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> recognize non-profit social service agencies that, despite budget limitations, excel in terms of management and service delivery. Winners are selected every year in a variety of categories, and share in $60,000 prize money.<ref name="donner" />{{Third-party inline|date=September 2023|reason=needed for context and proportion}}

==== School Chain Showcase ====
A global database of school chains, the multilingual website allows anyone to connect with school chain operators around the world.<ref>[http://www.schoolchains.org/about-us School Chain Showcase] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725003211/http://www.schoolchains.org/about-us|date=2011-07-25}} Fraser Institute</ref>{{Third-party inline|date=September 2023|reason=needed for context and proportion}}

=== Education programs ===
The institute periodically hosts free seminars across Canada for students, teachers, and journalists, focusing on key economic concepts and timely issues in public policy.<ref>[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/education-programs/overview.aspx Education Programs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728024431/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/education-programs/overview.aspx|date=2011-07-28}} Fraser Institute</ref> In 2010, the institute hosted eight one-day student seminars, attracting more than 775 participants.<ref name="AR">{{cite web |title=Fraser Institute Annual Report 2010 |url=http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/About_Us/Who_We_Are/2010-annual-report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811022806/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/About_Us/Who_We_Are/2010-annual-report.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2011 |access-date=29 July 2011 |publisher=Fraser Institute}}</ref>

The Fraser Institute also offers an internship program, to which more than 431 individuals applied in 2010.<ref name="AR" />

==Funding==
As a registered charity with the [[Canada Revenue Agency]], the institute files annual registered charity information returns.<ref name=":3" /> The institute also files annual returns to the U.S. [[Internal Revenue Service]], where it is registered as a nonprofit [[501(c)(3) organization]].<ref name="Fraser Institute - Nonprofit Explorer">{{cite web |date=9 May 2013 |title=Fraser Institute |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/980032427 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130160134/https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/980032427 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=[[ProPublica]] |language=en}}</ref> The institute depends on contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. It does not accept government grants or payments for research; however, individual donors may claim tax credits for donations and corporate donors may claim tax deductions.<ref>[http://www.fraserinstitute.org/support-us/overview.aspx Funding Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810202112/http://www.fraserinstitute.org/support-us/overview.aspx |date=2011-08-10 }} Fraser Institute</ref> The Fraser Institute ceased disclosing its sources of corporate funding in the 1980s.<ref name="Gutstein">Donald Gutstein, [[rabble.ca]], 14 October 2009, [http://rabble.ca/news/2009/10/following-money-fraser-institute%E2%80%99s-tobacco-papers Following the money: The Fraser Institute's tobacco papers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111083837/http://rabble.ca/news/2009/10/following-money-fraser-institute%E2%80%99s-tobacco-papers|date=2010-11-11}}</ref>

In its first full year of operation, 1975, the institute reported revenues of $421,389.<ref name="retro" /> In 1988, revenues exceeded $1 million, and in 2003, $6 million.<ref name="retro" /> In 2022, the institute reported having almost [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]12 million in annual revenue.<ref name=":3">{{citation |title=Registered Charity Information Return for The Fraser Institute |work=[[Canada Revenue Agency]] |year=2022 |url=https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNmFltr=Fraser+Institute&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=119233823RR0001&dsrdPg=1 |access-date=2023-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122000933/https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNmFltr=Fraser+Institute&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=119233823RR0001&dsrdPg=1 |archive-date=2023-11-22 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The institute has received donations of hundreds of thousands of dollars<ref>{{cite news |date=February 27, 2016 |title=Forget Trump – 'Dark Money' from Koch brothers is shaping Republican Party |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/koch-brothers-dark-money-republican-party-1.3466477 |access-date=February 11, 2017 |work=CBC News |language=en |quote=Mayer says the Koch brothers have also given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think-tank. |archive-date=February 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212091914/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/koch-brothers-dark-money-republican-party-1.3466477 |url-status=live }}</ref> from foundations controlled by [[Charles Koch|Charles]] and [[David Koch]], with total donations estimated to be approximately $765,000 from 2006 to 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bramham |first1=Daphne |date=September 25, 2016 |title=Lessons for Canada from how the Koch brothers hijacked democracy |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/politics/daphne-bramham-lessons-for-canada-from-how-the-koch-brothers-hijacked-democracy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212092209/http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/daphne-bramham-lessons-for-canada-from-how-the-koch-brothers-hijacked-democracy |archive-date=February 12, 2017 |access-date=February 11, 2017 |work=[[Vancouver Sun]] |quote=And the Koch brothers are connected to Canada as the largest foreign investors in Alberta's oilsands and as donors to the Fraser Institute, which has reportedly received $765,000 from them in the last decade.}}</ref> It also received US$120,000 from [[ExxonMobil]] in the 2003 to 2004 fiscal period.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 16, 2006 |title=Climate-change 'skeptics' hopeful Harper accepts their view |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=4399cb65-c847-4d63-ac8c-21c045ec90ed&k=50786 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025223822/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=4399cb65-c847-4d63-ac8c-21c045ec90ed&k=50786 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=February 11, 2017 |work=[[Vancouver Sun]] |quote=The Fraser Institute received $120,000 US from ExxonMobil in 2003–'04, according to the company's annual report. |agency=Canwest News Service}}</ref> In 2016, it received a $5 million donation from [[Peter Munk]], a Canadian businessman.<ref>Fraser Institute, 2016 Annual Report. Retrieved 15 Sept 2017. https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/fraser-institute-2016-annual-report.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010948/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/fraser-institute-2016-annual-report.pdf |date=2017-09-16 }}</ref>

In 2012, the ''Vancouver Observer'' reported that the Fraser Institute had "received over $4.3 million in the last decade from eight major American foundations including the most powerful players in oil and pharmaceuticals". According to the article, "The Fraser Institute received $1.7 million from 'sources outside Canada' in one year alone, according to the group's 2010 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) return. Fraser Institute President Niels Veldhuis told ''The Vancouver Observer'' that the Fraser Institute does accept foreign funding, but he declined to comment on any specific donors or details about the donations."<ref>"Charitable Fraser Institute received $4.3 million in foreign funding since 2000", [[The Vancouver Observer|Vancouver Observer]], 30 August 2012 http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/charitable-fraser-institute-received-43-million-foreign-funding-2000 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162730/https://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/charitable-fraser-institute-received-43-million-foreign-funding-2000|date=2018-06-12}} Retrieved 15 Sept 2017</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.fraserinstitute.org/}}
* {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|980032427}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1974 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Political and economic think tanks based in Canada]]
[[Category:Right-wing politics in Canada]]
[[Category:Conservatism in Canada]]
[[Category:Libertarianism in Canada]]
[[Category:Think tanks established in 1974]]
[[Category:Libertarian think tanks]]
[[Category:Neoliberal organizations]]