Matthew Mitchell
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Articles by Matthew Mitchell
Policymakers in every province should end unnecessary licensure requirements
Should a refrigerator repairman in Alberta or an auto salesperson in British Columbia need a licence to do their jobs? How about bricklayers in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia? Across Canada, for many jobs—many more than you might think—it’s illegal for workers to work without first obtaining a licence from government. To gain this licence, workers must pay fees, complete exams and take hundreds or even thousands of hours of course material. But the case for occupational licensing is weak.
Beyond Lost Revenue: The New Reality of Business Income Coverage
Business income coverage is more than an endorsement of a property policy. At its core, it is about resilience. Independent insurance agents can help clients reduce coverage gaps by conducting annual business income reviews, understanding how the business generates income, validating restoration assumptions and stress-testing recovery scenarios, as well as identifying critical equipment, processes and dependencies.
Socialists treat freedom as the obstacle. A thousand studies prove it’s the solution
Democratic Socialists of America members and progressives who share their worldview are having a good political run. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani won office with a high-profile campaign promising city-run stores and severe new regulations on landlords. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. In Michigan, progressive Democrat Abdul el Sayed has a slim lead in his U.S. Senate race with former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers.
Research reveals better outcomes with freedom than with coercion
Democratic socialists and progressives who share their worldview are having a good political run. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani won office with a high-profile campaign promising city-run stores and severe new regulations on landlords. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also of New York, is a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. In Michigan, progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has a slim lead in his U.S. Senate race with Republican Mike Rogers.
COMMENTARY: The best insurance against economic uncertainty isn’t in Washington
The big forces bearing down on state economies in 2026 -- trade uncertainty, stubborn inflation, swelling national debt, rippling AI disruptions -- mostly emanate from Washington and boardrooms, not state capitols. No governor sets tariff schedules. None votes on the federal budget, steers interest rates or decides how tech reshuffles local labor markets. Yet states aren't powerless. They don't control shocks, but they can build shock absorbers.
Commentary: The best insurance against economic uncertainty isn't in Washington
The big forces bearing down on state economies in 2026 - trade uncertainty, stubborn inflation, swelling national debt, rippling AI disruptions - mostly emanate from Washington and boardrooms, not state capitols. No governor sets tariff schedules. None votes on the federal budget, steers interest rates or decides how tech reshuffles local labor markets. Yet states aren't powerless. They don't control shocks, but they can build shock absorbers.
‘Not a picture of success': Report finds San Francisco homelessness department is failing to measure its own performance
San Francisco spends more than three-quarters of a billion taxpayer dollars annually on the city's homelessness crisis and its pile-on effects, like drug overdoses and mental health crises. Yet the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, the city's primary agency overseeing this effort, is largely failing to track how its spending is addressing the crisis, according to a San Francisco Civil Grand Jury report released Tuesday.
Free to Give: A State-by-State Regulatory Index
The Free to Give Index is a comprehensive, state-by-state assessment of the policy landscape shaping charitable giving and nonprofit activity across the United States.
Kentucky’s path to prosperity: three reforms to boost economic freedom
A new report by the Fraser Institute makes clear what most Kentuckians already know: the commonwealth remains mired in the bottom half of American states when it comes to economic freedom. Kentucky’s neighbors, meanwhile, have climbed. Indiana and Tennessee are in the top tier of states in terms of permitting the broadest range of economic choices for their residents. The costs to average Kentuckians are clear.
At a ‘model' S.F. complex for the formerly homeless, a man lay dead for days unnoticed
Eric McCain lived at the Jazzie Collins Apartments, a supportive housing complex run by the nonprofit HomeRise. (Courtesy Of Aisha McCain; Camille Cohen/For The S.F. Chronicle) After Aisha McCain couldn't reach her formerly homeless older brother for several days this past fall, she grew concerned and called the front desk of the San Francisco supportive housing complex where he lived.
Trump, Tariffs, and the Dangers of an Unbound Presidency
The Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s “emergency” tariffs are unconstitutional. If we were inclined to keep the republic that Ben Franklin and his colleagues imparted to us, that would be that. Trump would concede that the Constitution means what it says when it grants Congress—and Congress alone—the “power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.” Congress, meanwhile, would reclaim its power.
How Does Your State Rank on This Economic Freedom Index? Original
If economic freedom were a stock, analysts would call it boring — and then quietly recommend buying it anyway. For decades, states that limit government growth, keep taxes low and predictable, and allow labor markets to adjust have outperformed their peers on jobs, incomes, and growth. This is not fashionable economics. It doesn’t promise quick fixes or dramatic announcements. It just works.
Another View: Fueled by federalism, America’s economically freest states come out on top
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Do economic rivalries between Texas and California or New York and Florida feel like yet another sign that America has become hopelessly divided? There is a bright side to their disagreements, and a new ranking of economic freedom across the states helps explain why.
New Mexico’s economic freedom now dead last
GUEST COLUMN: In a study published earlier this year, we highlighted the fact that New Mexico was the only state in the U.S. to have lost economic freedom since 1981. We now know that it is worse than we thought. People are more economically free when they are allowed to make more of their own economic choices; economists measure this freedom by looking at the degree to which government spending, taxation and regulation limits choice.
Column: Fueled by federalism, economically freest states come out on top
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Do economic rivalries between Texas and California or New York and Florida feel like yet another sign that America has become hopelessly divided? There is a bright side to their disagreements, and a new ranking of economic freedom across the states helps explain why.
Commentary: Fueled by federalism, Americas economically freest states come out on top
Do economic rivalries between Texas and California or New York and Florida feel like yet another sign that America has become hopelessly divided? There is a bright side to their disagreements, and a new ranking of economic freedom across the states helps explain why. As a popular bumper sticker among economists proclaims: I heart federalism (for the natural experiments). In a federal system, states have wide latitude to set priorities and to choose their own strategies to achieve them.
Economic Freedom of the World: 2025
This is the 30th edition of Economic Freedom of the World and this year’s publication ranks 165 countries and territories for 2023, the most recent year for which data are available. Hong Kong continues to top the list as the world’s most economically free jurisdiction. But there is more to the story than the top-line rankings. Hong Kong’s overall score has declined by 0.52 points since 2018, led by significant declines in three of the five broad areas measured.
Tariffs Are Eroding Economic Freedom. The Cost of Backsliding.
President Donald Trump’s refrain on trade is that the U.S. is being “ripped off” by the rest of the world. This narrative resonates with millions of Americans. But almost all of the countries targeted in Trump’s tariff war are actually more open to trade than the U.S. His trade policies are knocking the U.S. behind its peers in terms of trade and economic freedom—and not without consequence.
Canadian universities must do more to protect freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is essential to a healthy democracy. Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms lists “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression” as a fundamental freedom. This means we are free to share our opinions, even when they might offend others. Without freedom of speech, democracy is meaningless, since minorities would be unable to challenge the prevailing views of the majority. Freedom of speech is uniquely important on the university campus.
Opinion: Our universities need viewpoint diversity Original
Advertisement 1 Conservative students believe they will face repercussions if they speak up in class and question the left-leaning views of their profs Article content Universities should be places where all ideas are welcomed and explored. In many Canadian university classrooms, however, only the “correct” viewpoint is heard.
Globerman and Mitchell: A tax lesson From Scandinavia
Democratic Socialists are cheering Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to raise taxes on millionaires if elected mayor of New York City. They should take a closer look at Scandinavia’s experience with the idea. Sweden and Denmark are often heralded as successful socialist models and praised for highly progressive tax structures that soak the rich. These countries are not socialist, and their taxes are a lot flatter than you think.
2653 Kimball Ave, Memphis, TN 38114, US
Investment Summary Net Operating Income (NOI) minus mortgage payments. Calculation: NOI - Mortgage Payments Monthly Cash Flow $345 Capitalization Rate is a rate of return that compares the yearly Net Operating Income (NOI) to the market value. Calculation: NOI / Market Value Cap Rate 10.6% Annual Cash Flow / Cash Invested Calculation: Annual cash flow divided by initial cash invested. Cash-on-Cash Return 21.2% Net Operating Income (NOI) divided by total debt payments.
Opinion - America’s leaders confuse economic coercion for good exchange
Amid their debates over tariffs, taxes and regulations, Democrats and Republicans seem to have reached a quiet consensus that they should be more involved in economic exchange. They shouldn’t. On crowded streets, in office buildings and online, people meet, words pass and goods exchange hands. But the exchanges can take one of two forms. The first is the key to just, sustainable and rapid growth. While the other leads to political dysfunction, bad investments and economic stagnation.
Column: How Trump’s tariffs affect US economic freedom, and why it matters Original
For a moment on April 9, the average U.S. tariff rate leapt to 32%, making American consumers the highest tariffed people in the world. For the next 90 days, the average U.S. tariff rate will be about 25%, which will leave Americans paying more than the citizens of any other industrialized nation, putting us in the company of Sudan and Djibouti. America, despite what you may have heard, is currently a pretty great place to live and work.
Lawson, Mitchell: How Trump’s tariffs affect US economic freedom, and why that matters
For a moment on April 9, the average U.S. tariff rate leapt to 32%, making American consumers the highest tariffed people in the world. For the next 90 days, the average U.S. tariff rate will be about 25%, which will leave Americans paying more than the citizens of any other industrialized nation, putting us in the company of Sudan and Djibouti. America, despite what you may have heard, is currently a pretty great place to live and work.
Opinion: How Trump’s tariffs affect US economic freedom, and why that matters
For a moment on April 9, the average U.S. tariff rate leapt to 32%, making American consumers the highest tariffed people in the world. For the next 90 days, the average U.S. tariff rate will be about 25%, which will leave Americans paying more than the citizens of any other industrialized nation, putting us in the company of Sudan and Djibouti. America, despite what you may have heard, is currently a pretty great place to live and work.
Commentary: How Trump’s tariffs affect US economic freedom, and why that matters
For a moment on April 9, the average U.S. tariff rate leapt to 32%, making American consumers the highest tariffed people in the world. For the next 90 days, the average U.S. tariff rate will be about 25%, which will leave Americans paying more than the citizens of any other industrialized nation, putting us in the company of Sudan and Djibouti. America, despite what you may have heard, is currently a pretty great place to live and work.
Understanding New Mexico's lack of economic freedom
A thousand years ago, a group of people settled along the Red Willow Creek at the base of the Taos Mountains and never left. They were among the first, but hardly the last, to be enchanted by New Mexico’s snow-capped mountains and sun-drenched vistas. The state’s moderate climate, rich culture, and mouth-watering cuisine are peerless. And now that New Mexico churns out 2 million barrels of oil every day — more than 15 percent of all U.S. production — you’d think New Mexicans would be riding high.
GUEST COLUMN: A deep dive into New Mexico’s lack of economic freedom
A thousand years ago, a group of people settled along Red Willow Creek at the base of the Taos Mountains and never left. They were among the first, but hardly the last, to be enchanted by New Mexico’s snow-capped mountains and sun-drenched vistas. The state’s moderate climate, rich culture, and mouth-watering cuisine are peerless. And now that New Mexico churns out 2 million barrels of oil every day — more than 15% of all U.S. production — you’d think New Mexicans would be riding high.
Measuring Freedom Around the World
The following is an interview conducted by Archbridge chief economist and Profectus co-editor Justin Callais with the lead authors of the Human Freedom Index, co-published by the Cato Institute and the Fraser Institute. The Human Freedom Index is the most comprehensive measure of global freedom, covering 165 jurisdictions and representing 98% of the world’s population. The 10th annual edition (released in 2024) uses 86 distinct indicators encompassing personal, civil, and economic freedom.
Op-Ed: A Deep Dive Into New Mexico’s Lack Of Economic Freedom
By MATTHEW MITCHELL, Fraser Institute and PAUL GESSING, Rio Grande Foundation A thousand years ago, a group of people settled along Red Willow Creek at the base of the Taos Mountains and never left. They were among the first, but hardly the last, to be enchanted by New Mexico’s snow-capped mountains and sun-drenched vistas. The state’s moderate climate, rich culture, and mouth-watering cuisine are peerless.
Another View: How Trump’s trade war threatens US economic freedom
President Donald Trump’s constructive effort to bolster American economic freedom with his tax and regulatory plans is under threat. Not from Democrats, but from the president himself. That’s because the second chapter of his trade war is likely to undermine all of it. People have more economic freedom when they are allowed to make more of their own economic choices. Government can support these choices by evenhandedly protecting everyone’s right to own and use property.
Column: How Trump’s trade war threatens US economic freedom
President Donald Trump’s constructive effort to bolster American economic freedom with his tax and regulatory plans is under threat. Not from Democrats, but from the president himself. That’s because the second chapter of his trade war is likely to undermine all of it. People have more economic freedom when they are allowed to make more of their own economic choices. Government can support these choices by evenhandedly protecting everyone’s right to own and use property.
Mitchell, Tuszynski: How Trump’s trade war threatens US economic freedom
President Donald Trump’s constructive effort to bolster American economic freedom with his tax and regulatory plans is under threat. Not from Democrats, but from the president himself. That’s because the second chapter of his trade war is likely to undermine all of it. People have more economic freedom when they are allowed to make more of their own economic choices. Government can support these choices by evenhandedly protecting everyone’s right to own and use property.
Commentary: How Trump’s trade war threatens US economic freedom
President Donald Trump's constructive effort to bolster American economic freedom with his tax and regulatory plans is under threat. Not from Democrats, but from the president himself. That's because the second chapter of his trade war is likely to undermine all of it. People have more economic freedom when they are allowed to make more of their own economic choices. Government can support these choices by evenhandedly protecting everyone's right to own and use property.
Trump wants to deregulate. Here’s why progressives should help him.
President Trump has made deregulation a priority and charged Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency with suggesting ways to cut red tape. Some progressives are cautiously supportive of deregulation. More should be. From Jimmy Carter to Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), progressives once saw the wisdom of cutting red tape — especially if that tape tied the hands of consumers and would-be competitors in order to privilege industry insiders. After the election, Sen.
Opinion - Trump wants to deregulate. Progressives should help him.
President Trump has made deregulation a priority and charged Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency with suggesting ways to cut red tape. Some progressives are cautiously supportive of deregulation. More should be. From Jimmy Carter to Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), progressives once saw the wisdom of cutting red tape — especially if that tape tied the hands of consumers and would-be competitors in order to privilege industry insiders. After the election, Sen.
Economic Freedom of North America 2024
Matthew D. Mitchell Senior Fellow in the Centre for Economic Freedom, Fraser Institute was a long-serving senior fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where he remains an affiliated senior scholar. He is also a senior research fellow at the Knee Regulatory Research Center at West Virginia University.Mitchell received his PhD and MA in economics from George Mason University and his BA in political science and BS in economics from Arizona State University.
Opinion: World economies offer examples of what works and what doesn't
As Republicans and Democrats made their final pitches to voters, they converged on common themes. Kamala Harris wants to regulate the price of food. Donald Trump wants to regulate the price of credit. Harris wants the tax code to favor the 2.5 percent of workers who earn tips. So does Trump. Harris wants the government to steer more labor and capital into manufacturing. And so does Trump.
Estonia’s Lesson to Putin’s Statist Russia and the World
[In April 2024],a rumor flew that Estonia’s prime minister, Kaja Kallas, would be the new head of NATO. It turned out to be an April Fool’s joke, but I’m guessing Vladimir Putin didn’t find it funny. The tough-talking Kallas has been outspoken about Russian belligerence, often comparing the war in Ukraine to what the Soviet Union once did to her country. In response, Russia has issued a warrant for her arrest. However, Estonia is an inconvenient neighbor for another reason.
'I'm the only Wolves fan here not celebrating'
An under-12s referee has told of the "once in a lifetime" moment he found himself officiating an FA Cup tie - and couldn't celebrate his team's winning goal. Wolverhampton Wanderers season ticket holder Ross Bennett was plucked from the stands during extra-time of his side's 3-2 victory over Brentford at Molineux on Tuesday. An assistant suffered an injury during the match which prompted qualified referee Mr Bennett to stand in as fourth official.
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