Subject Guides: Think Tanks: Canadian Think Tanks

Reports and Working Papers

Think Tanks

A research institute, research centre, or organisation that performs research and advocacy on various social, economic, or poltical topics. Many are non-profit organisations could be funded by governments, advocacy groups, corporations, private donations and may also derive revenue from consulting or research work. They may also be known as policy institute or think factory.

Think tank publications can be useful for researchers in Education, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Business, History, and many other fields.

Canadian Think Tank Search Engine
Searches whole websites of selected Canadian Think Tanks. This should include reports, research, publications, academic papers among others..
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See list of searched sites: bit.ly/cdnTTsearch

Canadian Think Tanks

Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is a not-for-profit organization focused on Canada's relations with Asia.
Atlantic Institute for Market Studies
AIMS is an independent economic and social policy think tank that focuses on "current and emerging economic and public policy issues facing Atlantic Canadians and Canadians more generally".
Broadbent Institute
The Broadbent Institute is a Canadian progressive and social democratic think tank.
Brookfield Insitute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship - BII+E (Ryerson University)
Research on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Business Council of Canada
The "Business Council is a non-profit, non-partisan organization composed of the chief executives of Canada’s leading enterprises, representing companies from every region and sector of the economy."
C.D. Howe Institute
An independent not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies
Canada 2020
Canada 2020’s goal is to build a community of progressive ideas and people that will move and shape governments.
Canada West Foundation
"The Canada West Foundation is an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank that focuses on the policies that shape the West, and by extension, Canada".
Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI)
Policy analysis on emerging agri-food issues.
Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA)
A research organization whose aim is to provide "objective, independent and evidence-based analysis dedicated to a comprehensive and collaborative understanding of the short and long-term risks and returns behind policy decisions and prosperity outcomes".
Canada 2020
Canada 2020 is a Canadian progressive and independent think tank.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
An independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice.
Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)
" a not-for-profit organization that partners and collaborates with all sectors (not-for-profit, philanthropic, government and business) and communities to advance solutions to today’s toughest social challenges."
Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI)
CERI, founded in 1975, is "an independent, registered charitable organization specializing in the analysis of energy economics and related environmental policy issues in the energy production, transportation, and consumption sectors".
Canadian Global Affairs Institute
A research institute with an emphasis on Canadian foreign policy, defence policy, and International aid.
Canadian International Council (CIC)
CIC is an "an independent, non-partisan membership organization and think tank dedicated to advancing constructive dialogue on Canada’s place in the world and providing an incubator for innovative ideas on how to address the world’s most pressing problems."
Canadian Tax Foundation (CTF)
CTF is an independent tax research organization whose purpose is to provide the government and the public of Canada with the benefit of expert impartial research into current problems of taxation and government finance.
Le Centre de Recherche en économie de l'Environnement, de l'Agroalimentaire, des Transports et de l'Énergie - CREATE (Université Laval)
CREATE's goal is to "contribute to the development and application of theoretical and empirical knowledge of environmental economics, natural resources, energy, food and transport and methodological developments which may be relevant to these areas."
The site includes English language reports.
Centre for International and Defence Policy - CIDP (Queen's University)
The Centre's mandate is to "conduct research in matters of national and international security and other aspects of international relations".
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
CIGI is an independent, non-partisan think tank that aims to bring "clarity and innovative thinking to global policy making".
China Institute (UAlberta)
Canada’s only established, multi-disciplinary think tank and research centre focusing solely on China studies. The Institute strives to generate and disseminate knowledge that supports in-depth understanding of today’s China and encourages policy development in response to China’s evolving role in the world.
CIFAR
"CIFAR is a Canadian-based, global charitable organization that convenes extraordinary minds to address science and humanity’s most important questions."
Conference Board of Canada
Formed in 1954 as independent, not-for-profit applied research organization in Canada. The Conference Board helps build leadership capacity for a better Canada by creating and sharing insights on economic trends, public policy issues, and organizational performance.
Online copies available for U of A students and staff from the Conference Board of Canada: Reports database.
Council of Canadian Academies (CCA)
The Council is a "not-for-profit organization that supports independent, authoritative, and evidence-based expert assessments that inform public policy development in Canada."
Council of Canadians
"Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s leading social action organization." The organization advocates "for clean water, fair trade, green energy, public health care, and a vibrant democracy".
Fraser Institute
The Institute publishes "research into critical economic and public policy issues including taxation, government spending, health care, school performance, and trade".
Institute du Québec (L’IdQ)
"L’IdQ a pour mission de guider l’élaboration de meilleures politiques publiques au Québec en constituant une banque d’analyses rigoureuses qui alimenteront le débat au sein de la classe politique et du milieu des affaires."
Institute for Public Economics (Department of Economics. University of Alberta)
The Institute's mission is to "to create and disseminate knowledge of the public sector and its influence on the economy and society".
Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)
"The IRPP seeks to improve public policy in Canada by generating research, providing insight and sparking debate on current and emerging policy issues facing Canadians and their governments."
Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy @uOttawa (IFSD)
The Institute's research focuses on the intersection of public finance and state institutions.
Institute of Health Economics (IHE)
A not-for-profit organization with "key competencies in health economics and decision analytic modelling, health technology assessment, and knowledge transfer/exchange."
Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC)
An association of public servants, academics, and others interested in public administration. The organization creates "knowledge networks and leads public administration research in Canada".
Institute on Governance
"The IOG’s mission is advancing better governance in the public interest, which the Institute accomplishes by exploring, developing and promoting the principles, standards and practices which underlie good governance in the public sphere."
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Established by an act of Canada’s parliament in 1970, " the IDRC invests in knowledge, innovation, and solutions to improve lives and livelihoods in the developing world".
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
"IISD’s mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability through innovative research, communication and partnerships."
Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management (Ivey Business School. Western University)
"he Lawrence Centre is committed to the development of sound public policy by improving collaboration between business and government."
Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI)
A national public policy think tank whose aim it to help "make poor quality public policy in Ottawa unacceptable to Canadians and their political and opinion leaders by proposing thoughtful alternatives through non-partisan and independent research and commentary."
Montreal Economic Insitute (MEI)
The Institute's aim is to stimulate "debate on public policies in Quebec and across Canada by proposing wealth-creating reforms based on market mechanisms".
Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (University of Toronto)
The School is a professional degree-granting interdisciplinary school focused on global issues. Their mission is to deeply integrate research on global affairs with teaching and public education.
Parkland Institute (Faculty of Arts. University of Alberta)
The "Parkland Institute studies economic, social, cultural and political issues facing Albertans and Canadians, using the perspective of political economy."
Pembina Insitute
"The Pembina Institute advocates for strong, effective policies to support Canada’s clean energy transition. The Institute promotes the "responsible development of Canada’s oilsands and natural gas resources."
Public Policy Forum
"The Forum "works with all levels of government and the public service, the private sector, labour, post-secondary institutions, NGOs and Indigenous groups to improve policy outcomes for Canadians".
Rotman Institute for International Business (RIIB)
The Institute "supports research and serves as the focal point for networking and interaction with the private sector, the policy community and other academics in North America and abroad. Research priorities are the global business environment, enterprise decision making in the global economy and the urban service economy."
Smart Prosperity Institute
A national research network and policy think tank based at the University of Ottawa whose aim is to "advance practical policies and market solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy."
Van Horne Insitute
"The Van Horne Institute assists industry, government, and the public in addressing issues affecting transportation, supply chain management and logistics and regulated industries in all areas of carriage relevant to the well-being and growth of industry and commerce."
Vanier Institute of the Family
The Institute is "dedicated to understanding the diversity and complexity of families and the reality of family life in Canada".