Frontier Centre for Public Policy


About the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

WHAT IS THE FRONTIER CENTRE FOR PUBLIC POLICY?
The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is an independent, Winnipeg-based "think tank". Our mission is to develop and popularize policy choices that will help Canada's prairie region live up to its vast but unrealized economic potential. The Centre was founded by a group of individuals interested in making the prairie region a good place to live, work and prosper. Our advisory board includes both experienced community leaders and academic specialists. Charitable status as a registered educational organization was granted by Revenue Canada in April 1999.
WHAT IS A THINK TANK?
Think tanks are a growing world-wide phenomena and their influence is growing locally and worldwide. As �intellectual entrepreneurs�, think tanks are free to explore new ideas and policy initiatives unconstrained by the pressures political parties face to be popular at the polls. And unlike lobby groups, who often represent only the narrow interests of their members, think tanks advance policies for the good of the whole country. For these reasons, think tanks enrich public debate and strengthen democracy.
WHY AN INDEPENDENT THINK TANK?
The Frontier Centre addresses the prairie region's economic and social challenges and actively explores new solutions. The goal of our research and educational outreach is to broaden the scope of discussion in this region's stagnant public policy environment-to create a dialogue about ideas for the future. Independent think tanks receive their funding exclusively from non-governmental sources. This insulates them from the political pressures that frequently discourage publicly funded research groups from exploring sensitive issues.
WHY DO WE NEED NEW IDEAS?
The Prairies, inherently a rich place, have their own set of unique issues. Despite its diversified economy and hydro wealth, Manitoba has become every more dependent on federal transfers and subsidies. Saskatchewan, with perhaps Canada�s richest resource endowment, still struggles with old debates about the proper role of government in the economy. Alberta, meanwhile, confronts the issues of its super-heated economy with little imagination, preferring to fund old policy models instead of re-inventing and reforming them. The vast Prairie region will continue to contain the ingredients for being the most prosperous and successful region in the world: abundant natural resources, high quality public services and hardworking, spirited citizens. The region has immense potential if it embraces new ideas in public policy. The Frontier Centre seeks to provide these ideas.
WHAT ARE THE CENTRE'S IDEAS?
We live in an exciting time of rapidly advancing living standards, exploding knowledge and new opportunities. Borders are disappearing as brains and capital shift to places with favourable tax and investment climates. To prosper in this environment, governments need to offer high-quality public services in combination with lighter taxation. Adhering to our old, increasingly unworkable public administration models is a straightforward recipe for decline. The Frontier Centre embraces the new economy of innovation and change. We conduct research and educational activities in three broad areas: High-Performance Government - Creating high-productivity public services and institutions based on the principles of transparency, neutrality and separating elected officials from day-to-day operations; government as a purchaser, not provider of services. Social Policy Renewal - consumer-sensitive health care and education systems; the post- welfare state; aboriginal policy based on empowerment, not dependency. The Open Economy - achieving the optimum size of government; adjusting with globalization; the emerging technology-driven rural renaissance, creating the value-added agriculture economy.
HOW DOES THE CENTRE SHARE ITS IDEAS?
In the short time since our founding, the Frontier Centre has achieved high visibility and penetration of the public dialogue through: Policy Notes - Short, solutions-oriented articles published regularly in Manitoba's largest newspaper - The Winnipeg Free Press and various other daily newspapers reach an estimated mass audience of 300,000. These one-page commentaries are also sent to 4,000 readers via fax and e-mail. Centre materials appear regularly in major print media, including the National Post and the Wall Street Journal. Rural Renaissance Notes - Short, solutions-oriented articles published regularly in the Brandon Sun and weekly papers across the Canadian prairies. These one-page commentaries are also sent to 1,500 rural opinion leaders via fax and e-mail. Perspectives - Short policy commentary from the advisory board and invited guests. Backgrounders - Longer 5 page analysis of topical policy issues. Policy Series - Longer reports of interest to researchers and opinion leaders. Conversations from the Frontier - Brief interviews with policy innovators. Meetings with Policy Experts - Short lectures and presentations by trend setting researchers and public officials. Charticles - A one page statistical and graphical discussion or prairie policy issues. Also circulated by fax and email. Lunch on the Frontier - High-profile, international policy modernizers relate their experiences to invited opinion leaders and decision-makers. Breakfast on the Frontier - A forum for regional policy modernizers to relate their experiences to invited opinion leaders and decision-makers. Board of Director Roundtables - By invitation-only meetings with top public policy leaders and decision-makers. Speeches and public presentations - Frontier Centre staff and advisory board members regularly address varied audiences, including service clubs, university students and business organizations. The Frontier Centre Website - The easy- to-navigate electronic repository of all our publications and materials, plus links to top think tanks are other resources, on the Internet at www.fcpp.org Pushing the Boundaries - The Centre's weekly public policy commentary on the Golden West Radio network and 9 stations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. A fresh perspective on everyday issues which is also archived at www.fcpp.org Radio and TV- Centre personnel and advisors appear regularly on TV current affairs programs and radio talk shows. These video and audio appearances, including Lunch on the Frontier speeches and Meetings with Policy Experts lectures can be found on the Frontier Channel at www.fcpp.org.
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE? EFFECTIVE?
Regional Focus - The Centre concentrates on prairie policy issues at all levels of government. Other independent think tanks, like the CD Howe Institute or the Fraser Institute, produce important and useful research, but their attention is focussed primarily on national concerns - not local issues on the eastern prairies. The Average Person is Our Audience - The Centre strives to popularize important but complicated concepts by writing in a short, topical format that translates them into entertaining reading for a mass audience. Longer, more detailed materials are available for the limited numbers who want to delve deeper into issues. Economics Focus - The Frontier Centre's work focuses on emerging economic trends. We do not address issues with a controversial moral or political dimension like same sex marriage, abortion, censorship, capital punishment or national unity. Non-partisan and Independent - The Frontier Centre is non-partisan and non-ideological. Committed to our independence, we neither seek nor accept government funding. By this definition we are the only truly independent think tank on the prairies. Intellectual Strength / People - Our advisory board includes both experienced public policy innovators and academic specialists.
Endorsements by Public Figures and Community Leaders
Hon. Duff Roblin, Premier of Manitoba 1958-1967: "The Frontier Centre for Public Policy challenges conventional thinking and even popular opinion about important issues of public policy. This stimulation to public discussion and debate is a critical public service to an improving society. It deserves hearty applause." Hon. Janice MacKinnon, Saskatchewan Finance Minister 1993-1997: "The Frontier Centre is a fantastic forum to discuss innovative policy options, a criticial ingredient in sound public policy and forward looking government." Gordon Gibson, author and columnist: "Commentaries which combine the twin virtue of solid public policy and a presentation understandable and persuasive to the ordinary reader..." Angus Reid, Angus Reid Consultants: "I'm very impressed by the work of your centre. Keep up the good work..." Hon. John Messer, former Saskatchewan Agriculture and Transport Minister: "Saskatchewan and Manitoba need bold ideas to prosper and succeed. The Frontier Centre has a big opportunity to help this process and to challenge conventional thinking." Jerry L.Gray - I.H. Asper School of Business, The University of Manitoba: "Innovation in public policy is the one area in which Manitoba could create a sustainable competitive edge that would set us apart from others and create economic growth and social development unparalleled anywhere else in Canada. The Frontier Centre is at the forefront of the issues we need to examine." Scott Mackay, President, Probe Research Inc.: "I was very impressed with the calibre of the speaker as well as the array of well recognized civic opinion leaders in attendance." Geoffrey Hale, Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of Lethbridge: "Frontier is provocative but rigorous in its analysis of public policy issues." David Henderson, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University: "I truly believe that the Frontier Centre, with a larger budget, could have a huge impact on Manitoba politics in the next few years. It has a rare ability to get policy makers to pay attention to its ideas. "
Board of Directors
Wayne Anderson (Chair) James Blatz Rob Coghlan Sue Hicks John Heimbecker Peter Holle Alexander McKenzie (Secretary) Hon. Charlie Mayer John R. Messer Richard M. Riffel
Goldenwest Radio Commentary
Every Friday on the Goldenwest Radio Network - original and provocative "new ideas" commentary by the policy professionals at the Frontier Centre, the prairie�s only independent think tank....Hear our commentary in Manitoba on CFRY-Portage, CFAM, Altona, AM1250-Steinbach and CJRB-Boissevain; in Saskatchewan on CHAB-Moose Jaw, CKSW-Swift Current, AM 1190 Weyburn, and CJ1280-Estevan; and in Alberta on CHRB-High River. Watch for more content soon.
Staff
Peter Holle, President Cameron Neumann, Director of Operations Claire Toews, Development and Marketing Co-ordinator Robert Sopuck, Director, Smart Green Project Donald Sandberg, Aboriginal Frontiers Project Rebecca Walberg, Director, Health Policy David Seymour, Saskatchewan Policy Analyst Joseph Quesnel, Manning Student Intern Erin Hartness, Office Administrator
Frontier Store . . .
Now available for sale . . . DVD - Dr. Tim Ball's lecture - Whither the Weather? - Considering the dubious case for man-made climate change This witty and informative 70 minute presentation by Historical Climatologist Tim Ball includes a picture in picture video of his remarks accompanied by his powerpoint slides. Includes graphs, charts and other data which shows that recent warming is not unusual or alarming. The bigger risk, he suggests, is global cooling - a condition which would make most of the Canadian prairies unsuitable for agriculture. (DVD plays on conputer and contains related links to more materials on climate change) $29.95 including shipping. Contact the Frontier Centre for Public Policy at (204) 977-5050 or email -newideas@fcpp.org
Contact Information
The Frontier Centre for Public Policy 203 - 2727 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J 0R2 Telephone: (204) 957-1567 Fax: (204) 957-1570 E-Mail: newideas@fcpp.org Saskatchewan Office - 2353 McIntyre Street Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4P 2S3 Telephone: (306) 352-2915 Fax: (306) 352-2938 E-Mail: seymourd@fcpp.org
Your Policy Orientation?
Where do you fit on the political map? This link will take you to a site that tells you whether you are a liberal, a conservative, a statist, a libertarian, or a centrist. Find out your policy orientation by clicking here
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Manitoba Office: 203 - 2727 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg, MB Canada R3J 0R2
Tel: (204) 957-1567 Fax: (204) 957-1570

Sask Office: 2353 McIntyre Street - Regina, SK CANADA S4P 2S3
Tel: (306) 352-2915 - Fax: (306) 352-2938

Alberta Office: Ste. 2000 - 444, 5th Avenue SW - Calgary, AB CANADA T2P 2T8
Tel: (403) 230-2435

E-mail: newideas@fcpp.org Homepage: www.fcpp.org

2008-10-06 - Energy, Climate Change and The War on the Poor (Winnipeg) with Niger Innis, Co-chair of the Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor

2008-10-07 - Energy, Climate Change and The War on the Poor (Calgary) with Niger Innis, Co-chair of the Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor

2008-10-08 - Energy, Climate Change and The War on the Poor (Regina) with Niger Innis, Co-chair of the Alliance to Stop the War on the Poor

2008-10-15 - Opening Up Winnipeg�s Taxi Monopoly (Winnipeg) with Terri Proulx, Project Coordinator for Supporting Employment & Economic Development (SEED)

2008-10-28 - The Coming Healthcare Reform Revolution (Regina) with Dr. Jacques Chaoulli, General Practitioner

2008-10-31 - Sun & Pacific Ocean: Elephants in the Room for Prairie Grain? (Winnipeg) with E. Ray Garnett, Consulting Agro-Climatologist

Charting the Course of Canadian Healthcare Reform
Speaker: Rebecca Walberg, Director of Health Policy
Date: 2008-11-12
Time: 11:30 a.m..
Place: Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Royal Oak Inn & Suites, Brandon, MB.

Canada's healthcare system outspends and underperforms, compared with the range of systems we see in the European Union. Within Canada, some provinces spend their budgets much more wisely than others, and see better results. How can we take the lessons learned from international and inter-provincial assessments of healthcare performance to design effective reforms that will improve healthcare for all Canadians? Please contact Carolynn Cancade for more details at 204.571.5343.

2008-10-05
Canada's Health Care System-- Poor Value For Your Tax Dollars
Canada's taxpayers are not receiving the same sort of value that their counterparts in other nations are when it comes to universally accessible health care insurance, says Nadeem Esmail, of the Fraser Institute.

For example:

o Canada has the third most-expensive universal access health insurance system; only Iceland and Switzerland spend more as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) on their universal access health insurance systems than Canada did.

o In 2007, waiting lists for access to health care in Canada reached a new all-time high of 18.3 weeks from a general practitioner referral to treatment by a specialist; this wait time is 54 percent longer than the overall wait time of 11.9 weeks back in 1997.

o The number of Canadians without a regular physician is estimated to be around 5 million.

The journal "Health Affairs" recently published a study of six universal access nations, which found:

o Canadians were more likely to experience waiting times of more than six months for elective surgery than Australians, German, the Dutch, and New Zealanders, but slightly less likely than patients in the United Kingdom.

o Canadians were least likely to wait less than one month for elective surgery.

o Canadians were the most likely to wait six days or longer to see a doctor when ill, and were least likely to receive an appointment the same day or the next day.

Access to medical technologies is also relatively poor in Canada:

o Canada ranked 13th of 24 nations in terms of MRI machines per million population.

o Canada ranked 18th of 24 nations for CT scanners per million population, 7th of 17 for mammographs per million population, and tied for second to last among 20 nations for lithotripters per million population.

Source: Nadeem Esmail, "Canada's Health Care System - Poor Value for Your Tax Dollars," Fraser Institute, June 2008.