Joel Emes

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Senior Economist, Fraser Institute

Joel Emes is a Senior Economist, Addington Centre for Measurement, at the Fraser Institute. Joel started his career with the Fraser Institute and rejoined after a stint as a senior analyst, acting executive director and then senior advisor to British Columbia’s provincial government. Joel initiated and led several flagship projects in the areas of tax freedom and government performance, spending, debt, and unfunded liabilities. He supports many projects at the Institute in areas such as investment, equalization, school performance and fiscal policy. Joel holds a B.A. and an M.A. in economics from Simon Fraser University.

Recent Research by Joel Emes

Comparing Median Employment Income in Large Canadian and American Metropolitan Areas

— Aug 24, 2023

Comparing Median Employment Income in Large Canadian and American Metropolitan Areas compares median employment income—wages, salaries and commissions from paid and self-employment income (net) before taxes and government transfers—in the 141 largest metropolitan areas in Canada and the United States, finding that of the 14 Canadian CMAs included in the study, only two rank in the top half, ultimately lagging far behind their American counterparts.

Spending Growth Is the Cause of BC’s Coming Debt Boom

— Aug 10, 2023

Spending Growth is the Cause of BC’s Coming Debt Boom is a new study that finds from 2000-2017 per person program spending in BC increased by 8.4 per cent (adjusted for inflation), but more recently, and in a much shorter time period from 2017 to 2022—even excluding COVID spending—per person spending increased by 25.9 per cent.

Comparing Business Investment per Worker in Canada and the United States, 2002–2021

— Jun 29, 2023

Comparing Business Investment per Worker in Canada and the United States, 2002–2021 finds that in Canada business investment per worker—a key driver of income gains and living standards—has declined by 20 per cent since 2014.