Ideas change the world
If you believe that ideas are the most powerful force in the world… [And] If you believe that the traditional institutions by which we inculcate those ideas in the minds of the rising generation have been lost to us… then there has to be something there to take their place until we can reclaim those institutions.
And that is why I created the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
— Brian Lee Crowley
Fifteen years of fighting for a better Canada
For fifteen years the Macdonald-Laurier Institute has stood in the gap for Canadians.
As trust in media, the universities, and government plummeted we established ourselves as an independent, non-partisan, and serious voice. We’re out for one thing and one thing only: to help make Canada the best governed country in the world.
Not too long ago a very senior (now former) PMO staffer admitted that we’d been “a real pain in the ass” that nevertheless could not be ignored. We’ve made our mark on the national conversation and Canada’s leaders know they must grapple with our ideas.
Building on a Legacy of a Achievement
Launching our DC office, CNAPS, and thereby becoming the pre-eminent Canadian voice in Washington at a time of unprecedented tension between our two nations
At time of writing we are the only independent Canadian organization to break into “the big three” American media outlets (Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, or New York Times) with informed commentary on the trade relationship, to pick just one example. While everyone else panicked and proposed retaliation, MLI and CNAPS worked to lay out a credible path forward for Canada-US relations on the full spectrum of issues impeding the relationship, including border security and immigration, defence and national security, energy policy, and trade.
Because we stand up to China and Russia, we’ve been sanctioned by Canada’s enemies
Half a dozen of our fellows have been sanctioned by China. More than a dozen have been sanctioned by Russia. The Institute itself has been labelled as ‘undesirable’ by both nations and we’re hit repeatedly with cyber campaigns and lawfare. We successfully pushed Canada to ban Huawei from our 5G networks and we pushed the government to block the acquisition of Aecon Group by a Chinese state-owned enterprise on national security grounds. Our work to document Chinese interference in Canada’s recent federal elections has twice been cited by the New York Times. We’ve stood up to Canada’s enemies and defended Canadian sovereignty when Ottawa was complaisant or silent.
Defending Israel and combating antisemitism and radical Islam, the Promised Land Project
MLI’s promised land project has been one of a kind in Canada. We’ve been widely lauded for providing much needed moral and intellectual clarity since the October 7 attacks. Our work has already pushed the government to list a so-called ‘Palestinian Solidarity Group’ operating in Canada as a terrorist entity.
Redefining Indigenous reconciliation in Canada
More and more Canadians are becoming aware that the path to indigenous reconciliation comes through economic reconciliation and the participation of indigenous communities in the natural resource economy. Against the prevailing narrative, MLI popularized the fact that a majority of indigenous peoples are for responsible resource development. Just one practical example: When the government was considering excluding oil and gas development from the indigenous loan guarantee program our senior fellows raised strong objections and the government was forced to change course.
Tearing down the barriers to interprovincial trade
For MLI’s whole 15 year history we’ve regularly demonstrated the value of tearing down provincial trade barriers in Canada. In his speech from the throne on May 27th to open the 45th Parliament of Canada King Charles III noted that “Internal barriers to trade and labour mobility cost Canada as much as $200 billion each year.” That figure stems from an MLI paper published in 2022. We’ve been the leading expert voice in Canada on the subject and our work has been widely cited at both the provincial and federal levels as legislation and policy to tear down barriers has been announced over the last twelve months.
Ensuring Canada’s critical minerals serve the national interest
After MLI published an op-ed in the Financial Post entitled We’re falling further behind China in critical minerals, outlining China’s manipulation of global critical minerals markets and it’s attempt to buy up Canada’s only rare earth stockpile from a mine in North West Territories, Ottawa stepped in to prevent the sale to a Chinese entity.
Standing up for Canada’s history and founding figures
As we’ve stood up for Canada’s history and founding figures we’ve forced Canada Day celebrations back on the agenda across the country and we’ve seen city councils turn from misguided plans to erase our history. We’ve been the most prominent national voice pushing back against postcolonial nonsense that is so damaging to our success as a nation.
Courageously pushing back on dangerous gender ideology
MLI has undeniably been Canada’s leading voice pushing against gender ideology that undermines women’s rights and safety, endangers vulnerable youth and makes fair competition in sport impossible. Even during the height of the transgender craze (before Europe and the U.S. began following the science away from gender ideology) MLI offered evidence-based policy prescriptions to reverse the direction on e,g, gender self-ID policies for both prisons and sport. We demonstrated that Canadians are on the side of reason and sanity and that only a (very vocal) minority supported the radical policy of gender activists. Our work was covered in the New York Times. More recently, an article from senior fellow Mia Hughes on bias in Canadian media on the subject was promoted by no less a household name than J.K. Rowling.
Recognized as North America’s top Social Think Tank for our work on justice, public safety, and policing
Through several iterations of our Justice Report Card and our Urban Crime Index, MLI has forced policymakers at both the federal and provincial levels to reckon with and respond to the decline of public safety and the failures of our justice system. For this, In 2018 MLI was awarded Prospect Magazines award for the top Social Think Tank in North America. Our work was likewise lauded by the Brookings Institute in D.C. More recently, the government proposed changes to the structure of Canada’s national police force (RCMP) following the scheme laid out in an MLI paper.
Shaped the debate over COVID policy through our COVID Misery Index
MLI’s COVID Misery Index comprehensively assessed government performance through the COVID-19 pandemic, measuring the extent to which the virus itself and our responses to it have harmed human wellbeing. The index was cited several thousand times by media both in Canada and around the globe. While the whole world panicked, MLI provided a thoughtful objective assessment of the situation.
Recognized for Excellence
For fifteen years we have been at the forefront of shaping ideas that strengthen Canada — from advancing sound policy to championing the values that unite us.
Our record of success proves what’s possible when determination meets purpose. But our work is far from finished. The Challenges of next fifteen years will demand fresh ideas, bold leadership, and unwavering commitment.
With your support, we can continue building a stronger, freer and more prosperous Canada for generations to come.