Fraser vs Pembina, part 1: Introduction and Background

This is the first in a series comparing and contrasting two prominent Canadian think tanks, namely the Fraser Institute and the Pembina Institute. The projected table of contents is given below with the current Introduction and Background section highlighted and broken down into sub-sections. Links to subsequent sections will be enabled as they become available.

1. INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND 
   1. Introduction
   2. Background
   3. Sources
2. Funding
3. Funding Transparency
4. Research Quality
5. Political Influence
6. Conclusion and Recommendations

[Note: Since this page is primarily intended as background and reference material for those readers less familiar with Fraser and Pembina, comments have been disabled.]

1A  INTRODUCTION

In the wake of a series of attacks on environmental groups by the Conservative government and its tightly linked EthicalOil.org ally, I review basic information on two important Canadian policy institutes (a.k.a. think tanks), each representing  a contrasting viewpoint and focus. On the one hand, we have the libertarian and Conservative-friendly Fraser Institute,  and on the other, Alberta’s Pembina Institute, one of five “radical” environmental groups accused by EthicalOil.org of being a “puppet” of “foreign interests”.

I evaluate these two organizations and, where appropriate, their oil industry sponsors, along a number of dimensions.

1B  BACKGROUND

Here is an overview of the two institutes, including links for further information.

1C  SOURCES

Sources used for background information and funding data include 2010 tax returns and annual reports for each organization. In general, the Fraser annual report provided little information of value, with highly general statements of accounts, forcing reliance on the sketchier information in the tax return or direct inquiries to supporting companies. Pembina’s tax return is for the Foundation only, but fortunately the Pembina annual reports are quite forthcoming. The links to these sources are given below.

Information useful for interpreting online tax returns may be found in the Canada Revenue Agency guide Completing the Registered Charity
Information Return.

The following companies known to have some association with Fraser and/or Pembina are discussed at length in the sections on funding and funding transparency. Associated foundations are noted in parentheses.

• Exxon Mobil / Imperial Oil
• Encana (Gwyn Morgan & Patricia Trotter )
• TransCanada Corporation
• Koch International (Charles Koch, Lambe)
• Suncor Energy

Funding and other associations are evaluated from institute and foundation annual reports in the case of Pembina. In the case of Fraser, information is gleaned from responses to private inquires to each company, the companies’ own reports, as well as other documents such as press releases and third-party reports.

Finally, here is a table of highlighted climate science and policy related studies (top row) and climate science education projects (bottom row) from the two think tanks. These studies and initiatives will be discussed in the section on research quality.