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The index published in Economic Freedom of the World measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom. The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of privately owned property. Forty-two variables are used to construct a summary index and to measure the degree of economic freedom in five broad areas: (1) size of government; (2) legal structure and security of property rights; (3) access to sound money; (4) freedom to trade internationally; and (5) regulation of credit, labor and business.

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There is a common misconception that American prices for prescription medications are excessive because they are often higher than prices in Canada. This leads some people to suggest that the overall cost burden of prescription drug spending in the United States is unfair.

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Given Canadians' well-known concern for the environment, it may be difficult to find anyone in Canada who is against improving the quality of the environment. However, a reliance on unnecessarily costly and intrusive policies over the past several decades has likely turned some people against environmentalism. But there are a growing number of market-based policy options that would improve environmental quality at a lower cost and with less government intervention than in the past. These policies are a breath of fresh air because they are cost-effective, market-oriented, less intrusive, and more appealing to broader sections of the Canadian public.

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The Ontario government, under Premier Dalton McGuinty, is preparing to adopt a new energy plan that prescribes both the amount of electricity-generating capacity and the specific types.

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The Ontario government, under Premier Dalton McGuinty, is preparing to adopt a new energy plan.

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This report is the fourth installment in our ongoing research to assess the performance of labour markets and explain why results differ among jurisdictions. Indicators of labour performance such as job creation, unemployment, and productivity are used to assess Canadian provincial and US state labour market performance.

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This study measures the quality and quantity of Canada's stock of advanced medical technologies relative to what is available and being delivered in other developed nations. The study begins with a discussion of the benefits and cost savings that can result from investments in medical technologies.