Most people understand that statistical analysis is used to summarize a set of data, identify trends, and confidently project the probability-or risk-of a particular event or outcome. But how relevant are statistics to our individual experience? Are we at serious risk of contracting Disease X or developing Condition Y? How much should we worry about these risks in the context of our everyday lives?

This study examines business creation in Canada and the United States. Business creation refers to the process of starting a new enterprise and is an important aspect of entrepreneurship. Economic research outlined in this study reveals that business creation not only represents the commercialization of ideas, but also indicates dynamism in an economy.

This is the Fraser Institute's fourth annual report on the financial sustainability of health spending by provincial governments in Canada. The report uses a moving-trend analysis to measure sustainability. The trend is derived from the average, annual growth rates for total provincial government health expenditures (GHEX) and total available provincial government revenue from all sources (TAREV) over the most recent ten-year period. Government spending on health care is deemed unsustainable when it grows faster on average than revenue over the trend period. Future growth in government health spending and revenue is projected on the basis of the trend to estimate the urgency of the sustainability problem.

The report also examines the long-term feasibility of attempts by provincial governments to deal with the unsustainable growth in health spending through increased tax burdens and centrally planned rationing. The analysis partially exposes the degree to which Canadians are paying more for government health insurance over the trend period and getting less.