Canada needs the Canada West Foundation

The Canada West Foundation has a solid reputation as a trusted voice to help policy decision makers understand the unique issues that impact western Canadians. The competitive challenges facing Western Canada are complex and growing. We are poised to address these complexities with solutions that are pragmatic and balanced, but we need funding support to continue to make a difference.

We create change, not chatter

Our work produces real world results that create value for citizens, the private sector and governments. Businesses and individuals rely on us to inform them, governments count on our sound, pragmatic solutions as they develop new programs, address tough issues and establish public policy.

We can do more

The Foundation is seeking $25 million in sustainable support for three years from the public sector, foundations, corporations, trade associations and individuals. This level of support will provide us with the resources to tackle identified priorities in three key areas: resources, environment and economy; trade and trade infrastructure; and skills, innovation and productivity

A strong and dynamic Canada West Foundation will help the western provinces will provide leadership to move forward on national issues. Join the Canada West Foundation and others who are also passionate about Canada and the West.

Transparency: Our pledge to supporters

As a non-profit think tank, Canada West Foundation relies on donations. We are at our best when funded by a variety of groups: governments, corporations, individuals, and foundations all play a role. We not only acknowledge our supporters as a matter of course, we are proud to do so. Through their commitment, our supporters become part of an engaged public policy community. They tell us that they contribute because they value the work of the Foundation and want that work to continue. We think it’s pretty great that engaged citizens and organizations are willing to open their wallets in pursuit of good public policy.

However, Canada West Foundation’s independence to do our research with “no strings attached” is, quite simply, non-negotiable. All our donors know this.

We do in-depth, evidence-based research and analysis and we work hard to be good at what we do. We do not allow special interests or the opinions of our supporters to dictate the topics, research process, conclusions, or the recommendations we make. This gives us credibility and with credibility, we have impact. And that’s what drives us – the desire to make the world a better place through policy solutions that make a positive difference.

Climate Change

We also feel it is important to be clear about our stance on climate change – one of the dominant issues our society grapples with today. Canada West Foundation firmly believes in the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to minimize the effects of climate change. We support the development of government policies—including carbon pricing and emissions regulations—to achieve this goal. At the same time, we recognize the complexity of both the problem and potential solutions and believe a range of policy and technology solutions is required.

We will continue to work hard to ensure that climate policies and regulations are robust, fair, well-designed and able to drive down emissions and maintain economic competitiveness across the West and the rest of Canada.

Update: As of January 1, 2023, donations made by Albertan residents and organizations will be eligible for an increased charitable tax credit on the first $200 of their donation. The tax credit was raised retroactively from 10% to 60% after the passage of a private members bill in 2022.

The Canada West Foundation is a federally incorporated registered charity