C.D. Howe Institute

Canada is looking to attract $1 trillion in investment over the next five years.

The Canada Investment Summit is a promising signal that we understand the opportunity in front of us. But what will it take to make Canada an even stronger destination for investment and growth?

Our President and CEO Jeremy Kronick explores the path forward for a more prosperous Canada in a new open letter: https://cdhowe.org/the-path-from-canada-investment-summit/

We’re delighted to announce the leaders set to speak at the C.D. Howe Institute’s September 22nd Calgary Dinner, Question 10: Alberta's Referendum and Its Implications.

Dr. Lisa Young, Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary, will examine Alberta's current political climate, the range of views surrounding the referendum, and what public opinion reveals about the question.

The Honourable Jason Kenney, former Premier of Alberta and Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones, will share insights on the political, economic, and constitutional implications of Alberta's relationship with Canada.

The Honourable Janice MacKinnon, economist, Professor Emerita at the University of Saskatchewan, and former Saskatchewan Finance Minister, will explore the fiscal, economic, and intergovernmental considerations that could shape Alberta's path forward.

Adam Waterous, CEO & Managing Partner of Waterous Energy Fund, will offer a business and investment perspective on Alberta's economic future and long-term competitiveness.

Alex Pourbaix, Chair of the Board of Cenovus Energy and Chair of the Business Council of Alberta, will discuss what the referendum's potential outcomes could mean for Alberta's energy sector, investment climate, and broader business community.

Together, these distinguished speakers will engage in an evidence-based discussion on what's at stake in Alberta's referendum and what comes next, whatever the outcome.

Register now: https://web.cvent.com/event/38453f98-0e60-4dde-aa30-d17990d74e73/register

Canada’s immigration system needs greater transparency, predictability and control.

The C.D. Howe Institute’s Immigration Targets Council recommends clear permanent-resident targets, a strict 5% ceiling on non-permanent residents and a more predictable pathway from temporary to permanent residence.

See here for the Council’s proposed permanent-resident admissions: https://cdhowe.org/publication/line-of-sight-canada-needs-transparent-and-predictable-immigration-targets/

The Real-Time Rail could generate billions in economy-wide gains.

After adoption, the benefits continue to build – reaching a permanent annual gain of approximately $2.55 billion, or 0.08% of GDP.

Read Jeremy Kronick, Thorsten Koeppl and Peter MacKenzie’s latest Intelligence Memo to learn more:

Update of Cost Savings From the RTR To: Canadian financial institution customers From: Peter MacKenzie, Thorsten Koeppl and Jeremy M. Kronick Date: September 3, 2026 Re: Update of Cost Savings From the RTR This is the second of two Memos looking at the importance of adopting the Real-Time Rail for retail payments in Canada. Yesterday,...

Join us September 11 for a roundtable luncheon with Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce to hear how the province plans to expand nuclear power and electricity infrastructure, accelerate the development of critical minerals and rare earths, and diversify export markets.

Register here: https://cdhowe.org/events/138439-2/

Amid ongoing economic uncertainty driven by U.S.-Canada trade negotiations, the Bank of Canada has decided to hold its policy rate at 2.25%.

Jeremy Kronick and Steve Ambler note that while there is little evidence of the recent energy shock spreading to other sectors of the economy, the Bank will want to remain vigilant about that risk.

With the trade war, the Bank of Canada had no choice but to hold rates Published in the Globe and Mail. The Bank of Canada held its policy rate constant at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, meeting market expectations. But if not for developments on the trade front, the economic data could well have pointed toward a hike. With the breakdown in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations....

What does the Real-Time Rail’s adoption mean for Canada? It could equal savings of $5.3 billion to $14.5 billion after 10 years, according to Jeremy Kronick, Thorsten Koeppl and Peter MacKenzie’s new Intelligence Memo.
Stay tuned for their next Memo on economy-wide gains.

Update on Cost Savings From the RTR To: Canadian financial institution customersFrom: Peter MacKenzie, Thorsten Koeppl and Jeremy M. KronickDate: September 2, 2026Re: Update on Cost Savings From the RTR This is the first of two Intelligence Memos looking at the importance of adopting the Real-Time Rail for retail payments in Canada. P...

A Canada-US trade deal seemed within reach. Then the asks kept growing while the benefits kept shrinking. Steve Verheul explains what changed, where Canada has leverage, and what Ottawa must consider for the next round.

Why Canada Walked Away, And What to Consider for the Future To: Trade Observers From: Steve Verheul Re: Why Canada Walked Away, And What to Consider for the Future Summary of remarks made by the author at a special webinar for C.D. Howe Institute members, August 25, 2026 As late as Tuesday August 18, there was an outline of a proposal which looked like both....

We are pleased to announce the appointment of former President Thomas E. Kierans as Fellow Emeritus.

Mr. Kierans took the helm of Canada’s most cited think tank in 1989, following a successful 26-year career in investment banking.

During his tenure as President, the Institute expanded its influence through major initiatives in social policy, constitutional affairs, and national economic strategy, further establishing its reputation as a leading forum for independent analysis.

Together with his wife, Mary Janigan, he continues to support the Institute through the annual Kierans Lecture, which brings leading thinkers and policymakers to address pressing issues of public policy and economic affairs.

The C.D. Howe Institute’s Fellow Emeritus designation recognizes Mr. Kierans’s long-standing contributions to the C.D. Howe Institute and his commitment to informed, independent public policy debate in Canada.

“From his time as President to his service as a Senior Fellow and his support for the annual Kierans Lecture, Tom has been a long-standing champion of informed, independent policy debate in Canada,” says Jeremy M. Kronick, President and CEO of the C.D. Howe Institute.

“He is a pivotal part of the Institute’s history and its ongoing evolution. We are honoured to recognize his enduring contributions with this new designation.”

https://cdhowe.org/publication/former-c-d-howe-institute-president-thomas-e-kierans-honoured-as-fellow-emeritus/