Think tanks based in Canada

This article is a list of notable think tanks based in Canada.

Think Tanks in Canada (Active)
Name Focus[Notes 1] Location Website Established[Notes 2]
Aristotle Foundation For Public Policy Education of youth, public discourse and public policy in Canada Canada aristotlefoundation.org 2023
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) Asia–Canada relations Vancouver, British Columbia www.asiapacific.ca 1984
Atlantic Provinces Economic Council regional economy, business intelligence and recommendations Halifax, Nova Scotia www.atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca 1954
Academic Foundation for Peace & Conflict Studies peace, human rights, climate change, security in academic sphere Ottawa, Ontario peaceconflict.ca 2016
Broadbent Institute progressive, social democratic Ottawa, Ontario www.broadbentinstitute.ca 2011
Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship contribution of innovation on the economy Toronto, Ontario brookfieldinstitute.ca 2016[1]
Business Council of Alberta social and economic prosperity Calgary, Alberta www.businesscouncilab.com 2019
C. D. Howe Institute raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies Toronto, Ontario www.cdhowe.org 1958
Canada 2020 progressive ideas; move and shape governments Ottawa, Ontario canada2020.ca 2006
Canada West Foundation policies that shape the west Calgary, Alberta cwf.ca 1970
Canada's Ecofiscal Commission carbon pricing Montreal, Quebec ecofiscal.ca 2014-Nov
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives social, economic and environmental justice Ottawa, Ontario; Offices across Canada www.policyalternatives.ca 1980
Business Council of Canada[Notes 3][2] economic and social issues Ottawa, Ontario www.thebusinesscouncil.ca

(formerly www.ceocouncil.ca)

The Business Council on National Issues (BCNI) was established in the 1970s.[3]
Canadian Council on Social Development shaping social and economic policy (e.g. old age security) Kanata, Ontario www.ccsd.ca 1920[4]
Canadian Economics Association advancement of economic knowledge Montreal, Quebec economics.ca 1967
Canadian Global Affairs Institute defence, diplomacy, trade, resources and development The School of Public Policy University of Calgary and Ottawa, Ontario www.cgai.ca 2000
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research artificial intelligence to innovation theory, the social determinants of health, and the microbiome Toronto, Ontario www.cifar.ca 1982
Canadian International Council developing foreign policy initiatives for leaders around the world Toronto, Ontario thecic.org

opencanada.org.(online magazine)

1928-01-30
Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy (University of New Brunswick) social policy Fredericton, New Brunswick www.unb.ca.... 1996
Canadian Tax Foundation understanding and recommendations for the Canadian tax system Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec www.ctf.ca 1945
Cardus Institute Christian institution strengthening how other institutions work together Hamilton and Ottawa, Ontario www.cardus.ca 1974-06-10[5]
Centre canadien d’étude et coopération internationale (CECI) fighting poverty, exclusion and inequality Montréal, Quebec www.ceci.ca

blogue-volontaires.ca agirpourregalite.ca

Centre de recherche en économie de l'Environnement, de l'Agroalimentaire, des Transports et de l'Énergie (Université Laval) environment, energy, agri-food, transport, development of industrialized countries and emerging economies Quebec, Quebec www.create.ulaval.ca
Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (CERIUM) international issues; economy, environment and security Montreal, Quebec www.cerium.umontreal.ca 2004
Centre for International and Defence Policy (Queen's University) military and defence Kingston, Ontario www.queensu.ca/cidp 1975
Centre for International Governance Innovation global issues at the intersection of technology and international governance; to improve people’s lives everywhere Waterloo, Ontario www.cigionline.org 2001
Centre for the Study of Democracy (Queen's University) democratic institutions, diversity (including gender, race, etc.), nationalism, land rights, international politics and democracies Kingston, Ontario www.queensu.ca/csdd
Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en analyse des organisations (CIRANO) combining knowledge and decision for the development of social and economic innovations Montreal, Quebec www.cirano.qc.ca 1993
Chaire Raoul-Dandurand en études stratégiques diplomatiques contemporary political issues; international relations Montreal, Quebec www.dandurand.uqam.ca 1996
Chantier de l'économie sociale collective entrepreneurship in Quebec Montreal, Quebec www.chantier.qc.ca 1999-April
Citizens for Public Justice inspired by faith to act for social and environmental justice in Canadian public policy Ottawa, Ontario https://cpj.ca/ 1963 (as Christian Action Foundation)
Clean Energy Canada Canadian clean energy and climate policy Offices in British Columbia and Ontario cleanenergycanada.org 2010
Conference Board of Canada economic trends, organizational performance and public policy issues Ottawa, Ontario

Calgary, Alberta

www.conferenceboard.ca 1954
The Council of Canadians clean water, fair trade, green energy, public health care, and a vibrant democracy Offices across Canada www.canadians.org 1985
Council of Canadian Academies evaluate the best available evidence on complex issues where the science may be challenging to understand, contradictory, or difficult to assemble Ottawa, Ontario www.scienceadvice.ca 2002
Democracy Watch democratic reform, government accountability and corporate responsibility Ottawa, Ontario democracywatch.ca 1993 September
Donald J. Savoie Institute public policy and economic development[6] Moncton, New Brunswick idjs.ca 1983
Douglas–Coldwell Foundation promoting education and research into social democracy Ottawa, Ontario www.douglascoldwelllayton.ca 1971
Ecology Action Centre environmental issues Halifax, Nova Scotia ecologyaction.ca 1971
Equal Voice electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada Ottawa, Ontario equalvoice.ca 2001
Fraser Institute government policies, entrepreneurship, well-being of Canadians and their families Vancouver, British Columbia; across Canada www.fraserinstitute.org 1974-10-22[7]
Frontier Centre for Public Policy current affairs and public policy Winnipeg, Manitoba www.fcpp.org 1997
Global Risk Institute thought leadership in risk management for the financial services sector Toronto, Ontario https://globalriskinstitute.org/ 2011
GPI Atlantic creating a genuine progress index for Nova Scotia Glen Haven, Nova Scotia www.gpiatlantic.org 1997
Institut de recherches et d'informations socio-économiques (IRIS) Public finances, climate and environmental crisis, commodification of education and health, growth of inequalities Montreal, Quebec iris-recherche.qc.ca 2000
Institut du nouveau monde (INM) Increase participation of citizens in democratic life Montreal, Quebec www.inm.qc.ca 2004
Institut économique de Montréal (IEDM) Respect for Right to property, Entrepreneurship Social mobility and prosperity Quebec City, Quebec www.iedm.org 1987
Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) water, earth and the environment; energy, materials and telecommunications; human, animal and environmental health; and urbanization, culture and society. Quebec City, Quebec www.inrs.ca 1969
Citizen First - Institute for Citizen-Centred Service Delivery of public sector services Toronto, Ontario citizenfirst.ca(formerly www.iccs-isac.org) 1997
Institute for Governance of Private and Public Organizations Corporate governance practices Montreal, Quebec igopp.org 2005
Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) International affairs, defence, peace, security Toronto, Ontario www.peacediplomacy.org
Institute for Research on Public Policy Current and emerging policy issues facing Canadians and their governments Montreal, Quebec www.irpp.org 1972-04-19[8]
Institute of Health Economics Health economics, outcomes, and policy research Edmonton, Alberta www.ihe.ca 1995
Institute of Intergovernmental Relations (Queen's University) Federalism and intergovernmental relations in the global environment Kingston, Ontario www.queensu.ca/iigr/
Institute of Parliamentary and Political Law Democracy and democratic governing Ottawa, Ontario www.parlpol.ca/institute 2009-02-26[9]
Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Excellence in Public administration Toronto, Ontario www.ipac.ca 1967-01-01
Institute on Governance Governance in the public sphere both in Canada and internationally Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario iog.ca 1996-01-18[10]
International Development Research Centre Climate-resilient food systems; global health; education and science; democratic and inclusive governance; and sustainable inclusive economies Ottawa, Ontario; Offices across the Globe www.idrc.ca 1970
International Institute for Sustainable Development International policy on sustainable development governance Offices across regions www.iisd.org 1990
Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms Defend the constitutional freedoms of Canadians through litigation and education Calgary, Alberta www.jccf.ca 2010-10-04[11]
Liu Institute for Global Issues

(University of British Columbia)

Development, environment, conflict (and post-conflict) and emerging forms of politics. Vancouver, British Columbia www.grad.ubc.ca 1998
Macdonald-Laurier Institute Economic and public policy issues Ottawa, Ontario www.macdonaldlaurier.ca 2010
Mackenzie Institute Domestic and global security Toronto, Ontario www.mackenzieinstitute.com 1984
Monarchist League of Canada Monarchist advocacy, education, research Oakville, Ontario www.monarchist.ca 1973-02-23
Montreal Economic Institute Voluntary exchange, respect for property rights, entrepreneurship, social mobility and prosperity Montreal, Quebec and Calgary, Alberta, and joint venture in Paris, France www.iedm.org 1987-July
Munk School of Global Affairs Globalization Toronto, Ontario munkschool.utoronto.ca 2000
National Citizens Coalition Small government, low taxes, anti-union, lobbyist, conservative Toronto, Ontario www.nationalcitizens.ca 1967
National Institute on Ageing (Canada)

(Toronto Metropolitan University)

Physical, social, psychological and financial wellness of older Canadians[12] Toronto, Ontario www.niageing.ca 2016-Feb[12]
Northern Policy Institute Sustainable growth in Northern Ontario, including for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people Thunder Bay, Sudbury, and Kirkland Lake, Ontario www.northernpolicy.ca 2015-09-25[13]
Parkland Institute (University of Alberta) Economic, social, cultural, and political issues Edmonton, Alberta parklandinstitute.ca 1996
Parliamentary Centre Democratic practices around the world, governance, gender equality and social justice Ottawa, Ontario www.parlcent.org 1968
Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy Centrist and progressive public policy that combines economic success with social responsibility Ottawa, Ontario thepearsoncentre.ca
Pembina Institute Energy development and clean energy Calgagy Alberta, with offices across Canada www.pembina.org 1985
Polaris Institute Various global campaigns Ottawa, Ontario and Walnut Creek, California www.polarisinstitute.org 1997
Public Policy Forum Open dialogue on public policy Ottawa, Ontario ppforum.ca 1987
SecondStreet.org Government policy impact on everyday Canadians Offices across Canada www.secondstreet.org 2017-07-10
Social Research and Demonstration Corporation Social policy research Ottawa, Ontario Offices across Canada www.srdc.org 1991
Regulatory Research Institute of Canada Economy and a just society Langdon, Alberta www.rricanada.org 2022-10-19[14]
Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing Ontario's Manufacturing Ecosystem London, Ontario trilliummfg.ca 2015
Unisféra International Centre Climate change, sustainability, corporate responsibility, international development and innovation Montreal, Quebec; Offices across regions www.unisfera.org 2002
Vanier Institute of the Family - L'institut Vanier de la famille Wellbeing of families in Canada in all their diversities Ottawa, Ontario www.vanierinstitute.ca 1965
Victoria Transport Policy Institute Transportation Planning Victoria, British Columbia www.vtpi.org
Wellesley Institute Social determinants of health Toronto, Ontario www.wellesleyinstitute.com 2006 (as think tank)[15]

This table is partly based on a list of think tanks published by McGill University's Career Planning Service,[16] and on a list by Trent University,[17] as well as think tanks with Wikipedia articles listed in related Wikipedia categories.

  • Political and economic think tanks (based on inclusion in Wikipedia category)
    • Think tanks in Canada

Former think tanks based in Canada

edit
Name Focus Location Website Period
Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS)(merged with The Fraser Institute[18]) Pro-business Halifax, Nova Scotia www.aims.ca 1994-1995

to 2019

Caledon Institute of Social Policy Ottawa, Ontario caledoninst.ca

(former: caledon.org)

1992 to 2017[19]
Canadian American Strategic Review Official Site (Archived) 2001-2016
Canadian Energy Research Institute Calgary, Alberta www.policyschool.ca(formerly: www.ceri.ca)
Canadian Policy Research Networks Web Archive
Centre facilitant la recherche et l'innovation dans les organisations (CEFRIO) Montréal, Quebec (www.cefrio.qc.ca ) 1987-2020
Centre for Cultural Renewal Web Archive
Centre for Global Challenges
Centre for the Study of Living Standards Ottawa, Ontario (www.csls.ca)
Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy
Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs (merged with Canadian International Council) current issues and public policy Toronto, Ontario (www.couchichinginstitute.ca) 1932
DocAgora
George Morris Centre Guelph, Ontario (www.georgemorris.org) Dissolved Dec. 2014[20]
Human Security Report Project Vancouver, British Columbia (www.hsrgroup.org) February 2002 to May 2007[21]
Institut de politiques alternatives de Montréal Montréal, Quebec (ipamontreal.org) 2009
Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity Toronto, Ontario (www.competeprosper.ca) 2001-2019[22]
Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) (www.impacs.org)
League for Social Reconstruction
Mowat Centre Toronto, Ontario (www.mowatcentre.ca) 2009 to 2019-June
North-South Institute Ottawa, Ontario www.nsi-ins.ca 1976 to 2014
St. Lawrence Institute Montreal, Quebec www.stlawrenceinstitute.org 1980
edit
Name Focus Location Website Period
Canada's World Articulate a new vision for Canada’s role in the world. Vancouver, British Columbia Simon Fraser University www.sfu.ca 2007-2011
LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium Web Archive

Think tanks: political poles

edit

In 2014, Western University's Donald Abelson, an expert on think tanks, classified these major Canadian think tanks on the political spectrum at the request of TVO's "The Agenda". Abelson situated the Fraser Institute, C.D. Howe Institute, the Montreal Economic Institute, the Manning Foundation, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies on the right; the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), the Conference Board of Canada, the Caledon Institute, the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), and the Canadian International Council (formerly the Canadian Institute of International Affairs) in the centre, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Broadbent Institute, and the Parkland Institute on the left. Clark who wrote the article, noted that the think tanks may not agree with these classifications and that the "left, right and centre paradigms" have become "an increasingly vague and even problematic way to view politics."[23]

Notes

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  1. ^ Based on the mandate or objectives published on the organization's website, unless otherwise cited.
  2. ^ Based on organization's claim unless otherwise cited.
  3. ^ The CCCE was originally known as the Business Council on National Issues (BCNI). Its name was changed to the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE). In January 2016, the CCCE was renamed the Business Council of Canada. According to a January 2016 article, members of the "40-year-old organization" are "CEOs and entrepreneurs of 150 leading Canadian companies" that "employ 1.4 million Canadians, account for more than half the value of the Toronto Stock Exchange, contribute the largest share of federal corporate taxes, and are responsible for most of Canada’s exports, corporate philanthropy, and private-sector investments in research and development."

References

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  1. ^ "Beyond the Buzzword: The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship". Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Canadian Council of Chief Executives adopts new name, elects Linda Hasenfratz as Chair". Business Council of Canada. January 28, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  3. ^ Langille, David (1987). "The Business Council on National Issues and the Canadian State". Studies in Political Economy. 24 (24): 41–85. doi:10.1080/19187033.1987.11675557. The Business Council on National Issues (BCNI) was established in the 1970s.
  4. ^ "Canadian Council on Social Development". Niagara Knowledge Exchange. August 13, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  5. ^ "T3010 Registered Charity Information Return". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  6. ^ "Order of Moncton - Donald J. Savoie | City of Moncton". www.moncton.ca. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "T3010 Registered Charity Information Return". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  8. ^ "CRA Charity Registration". May 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Basic search results". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  10. ^ "T3010 Registered Charity Information Return". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  11. ^ "Basic search results". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Sinai Health | National Institute on Ageing". Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  13. ^ "Basic search results". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "Basic search results". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  15. ^ The hospital was founded In 1912 and the think tank in 2006 based on the Wikipedia article.
  16. ^ "Canadian Think Tanks" (PDF). McGill University Career Planning Service. Montreal, Quebec. nd. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "Think tanks". Trent University. nd. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  18. ^ "Fraser Institute News Release: AIMS merges with the Fraser Institute to create Canada's largest independent public policy think-tank". www.cbj.ca. Canadian Business Journal. November 20, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Corak, Miles (December 9, 2017). "The Caledon Institute of Social Policy is Canadian social policy". Economics for public policy. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "Agri-Food Policy Legacy Continues with Gift". www.uoguelph.ca. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  21. ^ "Human Security Project Report Info". Standardford Web Archive Portal. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "Institute ICP on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  23. ^ Clark, Hilary (November 17, 2014). "Mapping Canadian Think Tanks". TVO. The Agenda. Retrieved June 23, 2018.