Most pundits missed it, but Alberta’s revised Bill of Rights just strengthened property rights in a big way. Senior research fellow Joseph Quesnel breaks down how new amendments could protect landowners from regulatory takings—government actions that restrict property use without compensation. He examines key Supreme Court of Canada rulings and explains why every Canadian jurisdiction should take note. Could this be a game-changer for property rights? Read more.
Joseph Quesnel
Court Ruling On Indigenous Title Threatens Private Property Rights
Joseph Quesnel examines the growing conflict between Indigenous rights and private property ownership. Using the 2024 dispute between the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Town of South Bruce Peninsula as a case study, he warns that governments and Indigenous groups must collaborate before court cases escalate. Quesnel calls for universal rules on land ownership to prevent confusion and proposes constitutionalizing property rights to secure fair resolution. Click to read more on how this legal battle could reshape Canada’s property landscape.
Canada’s International Property Rights Ranking Slipped In 2024
Joseph Quesnel warns that Canada’s prosperity is at risk under the Trump administration, citing a decline in the country’s property rights. By analyzing the 2024 International Property Rights Index, Quesnel reveals that Canada is falling behind in legal and political indicators, ranking last compared to other Anglosphere countries. He proposes that Canada adopt policies from New Zealand and Australia to strengthen intellectual property rights and safeguard its future economic success. Read more to find out how property rights impact Canada’s prosperity.
Protecting Manitoba’s Seal River May Come At Too High A Cost
Joseph Quesnel warns that plans to protect Manitoba’s vast Seal River watershed may sacrifice critical economic opportunities. While the region’s ecological value is real, its untapped mineral wealth—including uranium, diamonds, and gold—offers potential prosperity for northern communities. Declaring the area off limits to development could hinder Indigenous-led resource initiatives and betray Canada’s push for mineral independence. Quesnel urges Ottawa and Manitoba to pause and pursue a balanced path that honours both conservation and economic opportunity.
Featured News
Canadian Property Rights Index 2023
A Snapshot of Property Rights Protection in Canada After 10 years
Alberta Politics and Empty Promises of Health-care Solutions
The writ has been dropped and Albertans are off to the polls on May 29. That leaves just four weeks for political leaders and voters to sort out what is arguably the most divisive, yet significant, issue for this election - health care. On Day 2, NDP leader Rachel...
Policy in Five Video – Canadian Support Grows For Natural Gas And Pipelines Even In Quebec
Policy in Five Video
Support For National Pipelines And LNG Projects Gain Momentum, Even In Quebec
Watch related Policy In Five video. Public opinion on pipelines has shifted. Will Ottawa seize the moment for energy security or let politics stall progress? The ongoing threats posed by U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy have caused many Canadians to...
The Pressing Case For Prioritizing The Public Interest In Canadian Labour Relations
This study examines the growing danger of labour-related work stoppages across Canada. These stoppages refer to both employer-initiated lockouts and worker-led strikes. It argues that Canada has been dealing with an increasing frequency of national work...
Costly Labour Disputes Paralyzing Canada’s Economy: Report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2025 Frontier Centre for Public Policy study calls for urgent reforms to end disruptive strikes, protect public interest WINNIPEG – Canada's adversarial approach to labour relations is causing frequent strikes and lockouts that...
Manitoba Tops Canada’s Worst Economic Rankings
Friendly Manitoba? Not for taxpayers drowning in debt and high prices Manitoba is leading the country. Sounds like good news until you realize in what categories: Debt and inflation. The first news comes from a sobering remark by Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff...
Nova Scotia’s Resource Reckoning—A Lesson for Canada’s Have-Nots
Premier Tim Houston recently made waves by uttering a taboo sentiment in Nova Scotia: The Atlantic province has banned the extraction of too many natural resources, and it is time for the province to find a path toward self-sufficiency. "We must take the 'no'...
Canada Must Resist the Lure of Protectionism, Even as U.S. Tariffs Loom
Free trade is flawed, but protectionism is worse The United States has delayed its 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days, giving Ottawa a brief window to assess its economic response. This pause should not be mistaken for a change in...
U.S. Tariffs Highlight Manitoba’s Need for a Northern Trade Corridor
Talk about incoming U.S. tariffs has renewed thoughtful consideration about Manitoba to develop the province’s northern ports. Most commentators and provincial politicians have promoted the port at Churchill as a logical point for diversifying Manitoba’s trade...
Manitoba Should not let Government Nursing Unions Throttle Their Competition
As we start 2025, Manitobans should let their government know that it should commit to putting the health care of Manitobans ahead before any other interest. Manitoba can begin in one area: Using private nurses to help supplement the public system. This past...