It makes me wonder why the CBC quotes the Fraser institute in their press releases, and doesn’t consider them a promoter of dis/misinformation. At the very least do they have someone qualified to question the statement for accuracy. Without doing so, they become the willing (?) purveyors of their fake information. It is a technique that some frequently use to their advantage.
The part that amuses me is that the Fraser Institute is just one of *eleven* sister organizations staffed by Conservative activists that function as a group to promote their stated goals of free markets & conservatism. I'm guessing most Canadians would agree that a network of think tanks set up to propagandize citizens about free markets shouldn't be allowed to receive tax-free donations, but here we are. Especially since the Fraser Institute got caught taking donations from a Conservative dark money scheme in the past.
Agreed, yet, there they are, hands out every year. i think If, the Fraser Institute believes as they preach, no government funds, no donations, they want everyone to pay their way, so should they, so funding, none, that’s what they advocate, that’s what they get. Their think tank donates their time, or, as I believe, their advice is for thee, not me. Tired of being scolded by these so called “Canadians”. As a Canadian, I wanted and wiliingly paid and pay taxes for a social safety net for all Canadians. How miserly are these souls, that ask for donations but expect Canadians to live without.
I'm with you, Elaine! Delisting these entities from government funding would be an excellent beginning. There are so many more worthy priorities than propaganda machines.
Sophistry is the word that best describes these academics who have sold their soul to political philosophy and money.
Ironically the Fraser Institute has proved their tax complaint is only true for 20% of the population. 80% pay less in taxes than they get from the government. So tax cuts would benefit only the top 20%. Sounds like gaslighting to me!!
It answers the question ‘why?’ Wealthy, powerful individuals and corporations want to have their pie and the regular Canadian’s pie too. It seems that there is an insatiable appetite aka greed among these few.
When I worked as a Senior Policy analyst specializing in learning and labour market issues for a major federal department, I was warned against using Fraser Institute research to back up any recommendations I made. That was over 25 years ago, and the incorrect assertions have become even worse. What they say is simply not believable, or, as this author noted, very odd.
When I was doing this work, I'd check various other data sources, and invariably the Fraser Institute ‘data’ would be the outlier.
The Fraser institute writes this drivel then the financial or national post writes and article about it to further spread the lies. What a wonderful system Conrad Black and his ilk are using to manipulate our country.
So wonderful to read the truth,chapter and verse, about the Fraser Institute's dishonesty, long well known but polished into acceptability by the spending of the ultra rich for the modern believer.
Never have given any credibility to the Fraser Institute. Basically a home for free market fanatics and more of a religious institute than a place for scientific research.
Excellent. Really helps to debunk all the lies before our election. However - I think there should be a law against such institutions publishing so much disinformation.
The Fraser Institute has always been an appendage of right wing business. They have attacked Canadian school for decades trying to discredit the excellent work of educators, to convince the public a privatised school system would be better. I don't trust anything they say.
Wow. Thank you for that very informative article. I knew the Fraser Institute couldn’t be trusted but had no idea it was this bad. No wonder we can’t have informed and intelligent discussions when data is manipulated in this way!
Misleading Canadians is their entire purpose.
True
It makes me wonder why the CBC quotes the Fraser institute in their press releases, and doesn’t consider them a promoter of dis/misinformation. At the very least do they have someone qualified to question the statement for accuracy. Without doing so, they become the willing (?) purveyors of their fake information. It is a technique that some frequently use to their advantage.
They should not be considered credible.
Because the deep pocketed sponsors of the Fraser - and the Atlas Network of which the Fraser is part - put pressure on the CBC.
Is there an ‘unbiased’ nonprofit group similar to the Fraser inst. that has professionals to parse the flow of information?
FYI I use the free version of Ground News that reports news stories, who is covering and their leaning. It’s informative. They have an app too.
The part that amuses me is that the Fraser Institute is just one of *eleven* sister organizations staffed by Conservative activists that function as a group to promote their stated goals of free markets & conservatism. I'm guessing most Canadians would agree that a network of think tanks set up to propagandize citizens about free markets shouldn't be allowed to receive tax-free donations, but here we are. Especially since the Fraser Institute got caught taking donations from a Conservative dark money scheme in the past.
And it has been said that much of the funding for such groups comes from the Koch brothers!! https://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/charitable-fraser-institute-received-43-million-foreign-funding-2000.html
Thanks for the link.
Agreed, yet, there they are, hands out every year. i think If, the Fraser Institute believes as they preach, no government funds, no donations, they want everyone to pay their way, so should they, so funding, none, that’s what they advocate, that’s what they get. Their think tank donates their time, or, as I believe, their advice is for thee, not me. Tired of being scolded by these so called “Canadians”. As a Canadian, I wanted and wiliingly paid and pay taxes for a social safety net for all Canadians. How miserly are these souls, that ask for donations but expect Canadians to live without.
I'm with you, Elaine! Delisting these entities from government funding would be an excellent beginning. There are so many more worthy priorities than propaganda machines.
The Fraser Institute follows the philosophy of the Mont Pellerin society, which was formed by Hayek and other free-market, neo-liberal economists. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Pelerin_Society.
Sophistry is the word that best describes these academics who have sold their soul to political philosophy and money.
Ironically the Fraser Institute has proved their tax complaint is only true for 20% of the population. 80% pay less in taxes than they get from the government. So tax cuts would benefit only the top 20%. Sounds like gaslighting to me!!
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/measuring-the-distribution-of-taxes-in-canada.pdf
It answers the question ‘why?’ Wealthy, powerful individuals and corporations want to have their pie and the regular Canadian’s pie too. It seems that there is an insatiable appetite aka greed among these few.
When I worked as a Senior Policy analyst specializing in learning and labour market issues for a major federal department, I was warned against using Fraser Institute research to back up any recommendations I made. That was over 25 years ago, and the incorrect assertions have become even worse. What they say is simply not believable, or, as this author noted, very odd.
When I was doing this work, I'd check various other data sources, and invariably the Fraser Institute ‘data’ would be the outlier.
That’s good to know. I assume it is still considered drivel.
The Fraser institute writes this drivel then the financial or national post writes and article about it to further spread the lies. What a wonderful system Conrad Black and his ilk are using to manipulate our country.
The Fraser Institute is nothing but a nauseating, over-quoted right-wing shill.
So wonderful to read the truth,chapter and verse, about the Fraser Institute's dishonesty, long well known but polished into acceptability by the spending of the ultra rich for the modern believer.
Your expose' is a song in the darkness!
Never have given any credibility to the Fraser Institute. Basically a home for free market fanatics and more of a religious institute than a place for scientific research.
Wow! Great analysis.
Thank you!
I have never trusted the Fraser Institute since I discovered several instances of intentionally misleading information.
Excellent. Really helps to debunk all the lies before our election. However - I think there should be a law against such institutions publishing so much disinformation.
The Fraser Institute is a right wing enterprise. Q
That’s their job!
The Fraser Institute has always been an appendage of right wing business. They have attacked Canadian school for decades trying to discredit the excellent work of educators, to convince the public a privatised school system would be better. I don't trust anything they say.
Wow. Thank you for that very informative article. I knew the Fraser Institute couldn’t be trusted but had no idea it was this bad. No wonder we can’t have informed and intelligent discussions when data is manipulated in this way!