Approximately 1-in-3 Canadian university students fear formal consequences for expressing honest viewpoints in class

Canadian Students Are Getting a One-Sided University Education is a study based on the results of a new Leger poll, commissioned for the Fraser Institute, which shows 37 per cent of self-described right-leaning university students and even 30 per cent of self-described left-leaning students fear formal consequences—including having their grades lowered—if they express a viewpoint in class that conflicts with what is considered the “safe” stance on controversial topics.

Benefits of admitting more international students—particularly those in STEM and other high-quality programs—outweigh often-exaggerated negatives

Foreign Students: Should We Restrict or Encourage Them? is a new study by UofT Prof. Morley Gunderson that finds the benefits of admitting high-quality international students to Canadian universities and colleges outweigh the perceived negatives, which are often exaggerated and misguided. In fact, where there are concerns surrounding international students, they can be mitigated by government immigration policy changes.

Commentary and Blog Posts

Carney engaging in Orwellian doublethink with federal budget rhetoric

by Jake Fuss

The Carney government plans to borrow $224.8 billion—$93.4 billion more than Trudeau planned to borrow.

B.C. Aboriginal agreements empower soft tyranny of legal incoherence

(Appeared in the Financial Post) by Bruce Pardy

Around 5,000 people live on Haida Gwaii, about half Haida.

Canadians don’t just feel worse off—they actually are

by Tegan Hill and Grady Munro

Combined federal and provincial net debt will reach a projected $2.30 trillion as of 2024/25.

Evidence does not support ‘climate crisis’ claims

(Appeared in the Ottawa Sun) by Matthew Lau

As of 2022, Canada accounted for only 1.4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Teacher strikes should never happen in Alberta

(Appeared in the Calgary Herald) by Michael Zwaagstra

Binding arbitration is a widely accepted way to settle labour disputes.

Nova Scotia test scores plummet despite spending increases

(Appeared in the Halifax Chronicle Herald) by Michael Zwaagstra

Curriculum guides should prioritize knowledge and skill development.

Fracking a win-win for workers and the environment in New Brunswick

(Appeared in The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal) By: Alex Whalen

Wayne Long, MP for Saint John-Kennebecasis, waded into the long-standing debate on natural gas development in New Brunswick recently, bluntly telling Brunswick News "we need to frack."

New Brunswick government sets course for ‘transformational change’ that will hurt the province

(Appeared in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner) by Alex Whalen

The province's deficit will reach a projected $668 million in 2025/26.

Smith government should create stricter rules for Heritage Fund to ensure annual deposits

by Tegan Hill

The government now projects budget deficits from 2025/26 to 2027/28.

Canada’s economy teeming with troubling stats

(Appeared in the Calgary Sun) By: Jock Finlayson

Total employment in July was scarcely higher than it was in January (measured on a seasonally adjusted basis). Manufacturing and construction are among the industries that have posted sizable job declines so far in 2025.

Schools should keep AI in its proper place

(Appeared in the Epoch Times) by Michael Zwaagstra

If tests are written with pen and paper under a teacher’s supervision, students will be unable to use AI to formulate answers.

A tax lesson from Scandinavia

(Appeared in DC Journal) by Matthew D. Mitchell and Steven Globerman

The tax histories of Sweden and Denmark show the limits of tax progressivity.

STAY UP TO DATE

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

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.

Fraser Institute 4th Floor, 1770 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6J 3G7