Canadian Economic Forum

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Canadian Economic Forum

The Canadian Economic Forum is a non-profit think tank based in Ottawa that convenes scholars, policymakers, and business leaders to discuss fiscal policy, trade, and labour market reform. The Forum draws participants from institutions such as Bank of Canada, Department of Finance Canada, Parliament of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and engages with international partners like the International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Bank, and G20. It is cited in debates involving actors such as Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland, Stephen Harper, Pierre Poilievre, and institutions like the Supreme Court of Canada.

History

Founded in the early 21st century, the organization emerged during debates following the 2008 financial crisis, the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations culminating in United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, and policy shifts after the 2015 Canadian federal election. Early conferences featured speakers from University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Queen's University, and York University and attracted media coverage from outlets such as The Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC Television, CTV Television Network, and Toronto Star. The Forum has evolved through interactions with commissions such as the Mackenzie King Commission and inquiries referencing frameworks like the Fiscal Stabilization Program (Canada) and the Canada Pension Plan debates.

The Forum is governed by a board including former officials from Finance Canada, executives from TD Bank Group, academics from Harvard University and London School of Economics, and policy experts from Fraser Institute and C.D. Howe Institute. Its executive leadership has included chairs who previously served at Privy Council Office and advisory committees featuring fellows from Brookings Institution, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Rotman School of Management, and School of Public Policy (University of Calgary). Governance documents reference charters aligned with standards used by Imagine Canada and reporting practices similar to those of Transparency International.

The Forum's stated objectives include promoting evidence-based analysis of fiscal frameworks, assessing trade agreements such as Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and Trans-Pacific Partnership, and advising on labour market issues involving Statistics Canada datasets and reports from Employment and Social Development Canada. Activities comprise policy briefs, roundtables with delegations from European Commission, bilateral dialogues with United States Department of Commerce, and collaborative projects with National Research Council (Canada), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and provincial bodies like Ontario Ministry of Finance and Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. The Forum also maintains research partnerships with university centres such as Munk School of Global Affairs and School of Public Policy (University of Calgary).

The Forum publishes analyses, white papers, and policy memos that reference methodologies promoted by International Labour Organization, modelling approaches from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, and trade impact assessments similar to those by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. Signature events include an annual summit held in Ottawa alongside panels featuring members from Royal Society of Canada, sessions with former central bankers like those from Bank of Canada, and special symposia timed with meetings of the G7 and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Publications have been cited in hearings before the House of Commons of Canada and used in submissions to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.

Membership comprises academics, corporate representatives from Suncor Energy, Bombardier Inc., and Shopify, labour representatives from Canadian Labour Congress, and municipal officials from City of Toronto and City of Vancouver. Funding sources include philanthropic grants from foundations such as Marlowe Foundation-style donors, corporate sponsorships from major firms like Scotiabank and BCE Inc., project grants from federal agencies like Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and research contracts with international organisations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The Forum publishes annual financial summaries modeled on disclosure practices promoted by Charity Intelligence Canada.

Proponents credit the Forum with influencing policy debates on tax reform, infrastructure investment, and trade policy, citing references in policy papers from Department of Finance Canada, submissions to the Canada Revenue Agency consultations, and testimony before the House of Commons Finance Committee. Critics from groups including Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, scholars at Simon Fraser University, and commentators in Rabble.ca argue the Forum's corporate funding raises concerns about independence and compare its orientation to think tanks such as the Fraser Institute and the C.D. Howe Institute. Debates over methodology have involved exchanges with researchers at Institute for Research on Public Policy, legal scholars from Osgoode Hall Law School, and economists associated with University of Montreal.

Category:Think tanks based in Canada