Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates.

We have a National Office in Ottawa, and provincial offices in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.

Original, hard-hitting research

We work with top-notch researchers to shed light on the key issues facing Canada. Whether it’s the push to privatize our health care system, the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us, or gas companies gouging us at the pump, we set the record straight.

Balanced debate

CCPA research doesn’t just sit on a shelf gathering dust. Every month, we are featured in hundreds of media stories. The CCPA is a strong and credible voice in news about issues like how to deal with surgical waitlists in health care, how we should use provincial and federal budget surpluses, the high number of Canadian military casualties in Afghanistan… and many others.

Myth-busting

The CCPA debunks myths—like the myth that an aging population will cripple public health care, or that meeting our climate change obligations is a job-killer. Our monthly magazine, The Monitor, is packed with facts and analysis that will help you untangle the spin.

Solutions

We don’t just analyze problems. We work on solutions—solutions that show Canadians’ best values are not only possible, they’re practical. These ideas are anchored by some basic principles: human dignity and freedom, fairness, equality, environmental sustainability, and the public good. They show that we can afford to build a more just and sustainable Canada—and that our economy will be stronger for it.