About Us
A glance at newspaper headlines reminds us that a few key issues dominate public policy. Fraser Institute researchers are searching for solutions to these pressing problems, many of which touch on quality of life issues.
Quality Education
Despite high levels of spending and ongoing public efforts, innovation and excellence in education are constantly thwarted by a range of impediments—centralized control, a lack of competition, a failure to reward excellence. This is particularly apparent in areas where lower-income parents aren’t given the chance to choose where their children are educated. The solution is to give individual schools more autonomy and empower parents to choose the school that will best serve their child's educational needs. More info...
Tax Rates
Throughout North America, tax rates, both personal and business, continue to hinder economic progress and competitiveness. They discourage the very productive behavior we need more of - hard work, savings, investment, risk-taking and entrepreneurship. To truly achieve their potential, market-based economies need to make a coordinated and concerted effort to lower individual and business taxes at all levels of government. More info...
Energy
North America is blessed with plentiful energy resources but we constantly face new challenges in how we find and develop our energy resources. Ensuring governments and the private sector take on the appropriate roles in terms of energy pricing, security, and developing and using our energy resources is vital to building a strong economy and maintaining our quality of life. Fraser Institute researchers examine existing energy policies and regulations and look at how they impact our economy and how increased trade in energy between the United States, Canada, and Mexico could benefit all three nations. More info...
Global Warming
Scientific evidence about the extent and cause of climate change continues to paint an uncertain picture. Yet in attempting to pressure policymakers, some activist groups exaggerate the certainty and the damages of human impacts on climate change. There are risks to both over-committing and under-committing resources to address the potential threats of climate change. We believe research should continue to evaluate the real costs and benefits of government’s proposed actions, following the facts rather than emotion, while searching for cost-effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, learning to better adapt to impacts that may occur from climate and non-climate related changes would benefit everyone. More info...
Health Care
Providing high-quality, affordable health care has become a major challenge for industrial democracies. Countries that offer universal health care, like Canada, wrestle with high costs, lagging technology and inadequate access. On the other hand, countries that resist creating a universal healthcare system, like the United States, struggle with providing care for the uninsured and with rising premiums for the insured. Fraser Institute scholars are exploring alternatives, pointing out weaknesses of existing systems and offering solutions based on free-market principles. More info...
Pharmaceuticals
The promise of bio-pharmaceuticals is a healthier world, but the rising cost of prescription drugs is encouraging governments to increase their involvement in the development and delivery of medicines. The consequence is often punitive action against companies that are creating the wonder drugs of the 21st century—and delays in getting medicine to those who need it most. More info...
Ideas that work
The Fraser Institute explores the full range of public policy challenges—from trade and taxation, to education and energy, to defense and development. In all of our work, we guard our independence from government and embrace the notion that freedom and free markets can overcome the public policy problems we face. Indeed, more than 35 years of research and analysis, backed by centuries of evidence, have taught us that people make better decisions about their lives than does the government, that the free market and free enterprise system work, and that ideas can contribute directly to improving the quality of life of all people. More info...
