The Frontier Centre for Public Policy (FCPP) is a “research and education charity” registered in both Canada and the United States. It was founded in 1999 by “philanthropic foundations seeking to help voters and policy makers improve their understanding of the economy and public policy.” They outline their Mission (PDF) as follows:
“Our mission is simple, but not easy. To change Canada by strengthening minds, elevating discourse, mentoring youth and bringing the leading minds of the world to bear on problems that matter most.” 1 “New Frontiers of Public Policy” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived August 13, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tjaSh
FCPP initially described itself as a “an independent, western Canada based public policy ‘think tank’ with offices in Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary.” FCPP attained status as an “educational charity” in April, 1999. Their original mission was “to develop and popularize policy choices that will help Canada’s prairie region live up to its vast but unrealized economic potential.” 2 “About the Frontier Centre for Public Policy,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 5, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tjaSh
FCPP has described their policy orientation as generally “in the direction of decentralization, properly constructed free markets and expanded choices for individuals.” 3 “FAQ,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived March 6, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nM8Ks
According to their 2010 annual report (PDF), “Frontier distinguished itself by highlighting the mounting policy damage created by the politically driven, anti-conventional energy green lobby.” 4 “2010 Annual Report” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived April 1, 2013.
“When the consequences of rapid global warming are compared with those for rapid global cooling, it’s clear that mankind suffers more harm from the latter.” 5 Fred Goldberg. “Climate Change in the Recent Past” (PDF) Background: Brief Analysis, Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April, 2007. Archived March 2, 2011.
“Then there is the widely known fact that there has been no statistically significant warming of the planet for more than 15 years despite 25 percent of all human CO2 emissions occurring during these years. This is accepted by no less than the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UK Met Office. There is simply no scientific proof that our CO2 emissions are the cause of the slight warming that has occurred over the 300-year period since the peak of the Little Ice Age.” 6 Patrick Moore. “Cap-and-Trade in Carbon Dioxide Stifles the Economy for no Good Reason,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April 17, 2015. Archived August 14, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/s0rNV
According to the Frontier Centre for Public Policy’s original website, “In order of importance, the majority of funding comes from private charitable foundations, followed by corporations, local businesses, individuals, and event revenue. The Centre does not accept any funding from governments to maintain its independent and fresh perspective on public policy.”
According to their listed sources of support for 2010, 78% of FCPP’s funding came from Foundations, 12% from Corporations, 8% from individuals, and 2% from event revenue. 7 “Who Funds the Frontier Centre for Public Policy?” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived October 10, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kmqD1
That page was no longer available starting mid-October of 2013. As of 2015, FCPP’s new website no longer lists funding information.
Heartland Institute
The Conservative Transparency database has one transaction on file for the Frontier Centre: A donation of $25,000 from the Heartland Institute in 2007. 8 “Frontier Centre for Public Policy,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed August, 2015.
Aurea Foundation
DeSmogBlog notes that FCPP received $633,000 from the Aurea Foundation in 2009. The Aurea Foundation was founded by Peter Munk, the head of Barrick Gold, and is a major funder of a small but influential network of free-market think tanks in Canada, including: The Fraser Institute, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, the Frontier Center for Public Policy, the Montreal Economic Institute and the MacDonald Laurier Institute. 9 Kevin Grandia. “Andrew Coyne’s Connections to Free Market Think Tanks; Disclosure Lacking,” DeSmog, October 12, 2012.
Publicly available data from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) reports that the Frontier Centre for Public Policy Received a total of $1,722,000 from the Aurea Foundation between 2007 and 2014:
| Year | Donation | Source |
| 2014 | $200,000 | (PDF) |
| 2013 | $200,000 | (PDF) |
| 2012 | $239,000 | (PDF) |
| 2011 | $250,000 | (PDF) |
| 2009 | $633,000 | (PDF) |
| 2007 | $200,000 | (PDF) |
| Total | $1,722,000 |
As of August 2015, the following were listed under the “People” section of the Frontier Center For Public Policy’s website. 10 “Executive,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived August 13, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M7J5s
According to the FCPP website (accessed in January, 2012), the Board of Directors included: 11 “Board of Directors,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 18, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gVIxA
According to the FCPP website (accessed January, 2012), FCPP’s “Expert Advisory Panel” included: 12 “Expert Advisory Panel,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 18, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wSmMl
The following according to FCPP’s 2010 Annual Report (PDF): 13 “2010 Annual Report” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived April 1, 2013.
Other notable FCPP people include:
August 24, 2023
The Frontier Centre referenced 17 Ian Madsen. “HEAT PUMPS MORE COSTLY, LESS EFFICIENT THAN GAS FURNACES,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, August 24, 2023. Archived March 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1kCiq a study by Andrew Montfort of the Global Warming Policy Foundation in the UK, claiming it as evidence that “Heat pumps are neither more efficient than gas boilers, nor cheaper, and do a very expensive job of reducing carbon dioxide.” 18 “Heat pumps: mythology and actuality,” GWPF, July 14, 2023. Archived January 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/oInpF
“[E]lectric heating is what the Climate Alarmists, including those in the current federal government, want to impose on Canadians (at least in new construction),” FCPP wrote, concluding: “Along with prohibiting gas stoves, water heaters and dryers, this is one more ‘policy initiative’ Canadians should resist, strongly.” 19 Ian Madsen. “HEAT PUMPS MORE COSTLY, LESS EFFICIENT THAN GAS FURNACES,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, August 24, 2023. Archived March 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1kCiq
June 7, 2019
The Frontier Centre for Public Policy released an official retraction and apology to climate scientist Michael Mann for a series of letters including “untrue and disparaging accusations which impugned the character of Dr. Michael Mann” that FCPP had published on its website in 2011 and 2012. 20 “Retraction and Apology to Michael Mann,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, June 7, 2019. Archived June 14, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/gbLOs
View the letter below:
MichaelMannJun72019 (Text)
The retraction took place as a result of Mann winning one of several lawsuits against groups, individuals, and media outlets that had attacked his research over the years. 21 “Michael Mann Wins,” Greg Laden’s Blog, June 7, 2019. Archived January 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bonh9
October 21, 2014
As reported by The Narhwal, The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is one of 10 charities examined in a report by the Broadbent Institute, a non-partisan organization founded by former NDP Leader Ed Broadbent. 22 Emma Gilchrist. “Right-Wing Charities Escaping CRA Audits: New Report from Broadbent Institute,” The Narwhal, October 21, 2014.
The report, titled “Stephen Harper’s CRA: Selective audits, ‘political’ activity, and right-leaning charities” (PDF), says several right-leaning charities (including FCPP) are reporting zero “political” activity while engaging in work that appears to meet the CRA’s definition.
August 2013
FCPP’s Elizabeth Nickson has been a strong opponent of carbon taxes, writing articles in a number of publications:
“Carbon taxes are a catastrophic waste of public money, and have created elites that will fight to the death to keep their privileges, no matter the damage caused to the vulnerable.” — The Vancouver Sun 23 Elizabeth Nickson. “Carbon taxes a war on poor,” The Vancouver Sun, August 14, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zHCJ4
“Carbon taxes are a catastrophic waste of public money, and have created entire elites that will fight to the death to keep their privileges, no matter the damage caused to the vulnerable.” The Hamilton Spectator . 24 Elizabeth Nickson. “Carbon taxes a catastrophic waste of public money,” The Hamilton Spectator, August 14, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3vBcc
May 21–23, 2012
The FCPP is listed as a co-sponsor of the Heartland Institute’s Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC7). 25 “Cosponsors,” 7th International Conference on Climate Change. Archived May 10, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VAY3r
May 16, 2010
The FCPP was a co-sponsor (PDF) of the Heartland Institute’s 4th International Conference on Climate Change. 26 4th International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), The Heartland Institute.
October 2009
The Frontier Centre was a co-sponsor of Christopher Monckton’s climate change tour to Canada. The other sponsor was the Fraser Institute. 27 Richard Littlemore. “Pompous Prat Alert! Viscount Monckton on Tour,” DeSmog, October 4, 2009.
January 2009
The Frontier Centre for Public Policy produced a new “background paper” challanging the showing of An Inconvenient Truth in Canadian Schools. The paper was based on a 15-month-old UK court decision. 28 Richard Littlemore. “A Tardy Canadian Tackles An Inconvenient Truth,” DeSmog, January 30, 2009.
April 22, 2008
FCPP released the “Smart Green Frontiers Climate Change Quiz.”
According to the FCPP media release, “Peter Holle, the Frontier Centre’s president, said the focus, in our schools today, is on indoctrinating children to ‘take action against climate change’, without ever actually teaching them about the controversy surrounding the science. ‘The quiz,’ he said, ‘takes students to the heart of climate science. It is an interactive quiz that gives detailed explanations of why any given question can be right or wrong.’” 29 (Press Release). “An Intelligent Discussion About Climate Change,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April 22, 2008. Archived December 28, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2ac69
Holle added that “Exposing children individually to the raw science in an engaging and interactive way is the best medicine for preserving our heritage of open scientific enquiry, and preparing the next generation to deal with increasingly complex environmental questions.”
The content of the quiz was prepared by prominent climate change deniers Tim Ball and Tom Harris (past executive of the High Park Group lobbying firm). The “Smart Green Frontiers” quiz was shared with a network of over 45 think tanks making up the Civil Society Coalition of Climate Change.
According to a May, 2011 backgrounder (PDF), the Frontier Center for Public Policy had the following addresses was as follows: 30 Steve Lafluer. “Can the Winnipeg Model Save Detroit?” (PDF), Frontier Center for Public Policy Backgrounder No. 93 (May, 2011). Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Frontier Center for Public Policy
MB
203-2727 Portage Avenue,
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3J 0R2
Tel: 204-957-1567SK
2353 McIntyre Street,
Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4P 2S3
Tel: 306-352-2915AB
Ste. 1280–300, 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta Canada T2P 3C4
Tel: 403-995-9916www.fcpp.org
[email protected]
There is speculation that the Frontier Centre has supported actions by the Friends of Science (FoS) in addition to the support FoS was receiving through Barry Cooper’s fund at the University of Calgary. 31 “Friends of Science hits the airwaves,” Deep Climate, November 19, 2009. Archived August 14, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/h6RlU
“New Frontiers of Public Policy” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived August 13, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tjaSh
“FAQ,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived March 6, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nM8Ks
“2010 Annual Report” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived April 1, 2013.Fred Goldberg. “Climate Change in the Recent Past” (PDF) Background: Brief Analysis, Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April, 2007. Archived March 2, 2011.
Patrick Moore. “Cap-and-Trade in Carbon Dioxide Stifles the Economy for no Good Reason,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April 17, 2015. Archived August 14, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/s0rNV
“Frontier Centre for Public Policy,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed August, 2015.“Executive,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived August 13, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M7J5s
“Board of Directors,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 18, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gVIxA
“Expert Advisory Panel,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 18, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wSmMl
“2010 Annual Report” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived April 1, 2013.Tom Harris. “Getting Society Off the Climate Change Bandwagon” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Policy Series No. 102 (February, 2011). Archived November 5, 2011.
Fred Goldberg. “Climate Change in the Recent Past” (PDF) Background: Brief Analysis, Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April, 2007. Archived March 2, 2011.
“Frontier Research Fellows,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived March 4, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6V7j5
Ian Madsen. “HEAT PUMPS MORE COSTLY, LESS EFFICIENT THAN GAS FURNACES,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, August 24, 2023. Archived March 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1kCiq
Ian Madsen. “HEAT PUMPS MORE COSTLY, LESS EFFICIENT THAN GAS FURNACES,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, August 24, 2023. Archived March 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1kCiq
“Retraction and Apology to Michael Mann,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, June 7, 2019. Archived June 14, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/gbLOs
Elizabeth Nickson. “Carbon taxes a war on poor,” The Vancouver Sun, August 14, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zHCJ4
“Cosponsors,” 7th International Conference on Climate Change. Archived May 10, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VAY3r
4th International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), The Heartland Institute. Richard Littlemore. “Pompous Prat Alert! Viscount Monckton on Tour,” DeSmog, October 4, 2009. Richard Littlemore. “A Tardy Canadian Tackles An Inconvenient Truth,” DeSmog, January 30, 2009.(Press Release). “An Intelligent Discussion About Climate Change,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April 22, 2008. Archived December 28, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2ac69
Steve Lafluer. “Can the Winnipeg Model Save Detroit?” (PDF), Frontier Center for Public Policy Backgrounder No. 93 (May, 2011). Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
“New Frontiers of Public Policy” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived August 13, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tjaSh
“FAQ,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived March 6, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nM8Ks
“2010 Annual Report” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived April 1, 2013.Fred Goldberg. “Climate Change in the Recent Past” (PDF) Background: Brief Analysis, Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April, 2007. Archived March 2, 2011.
Patrick Moore. “Cap-and-Trade in Carbon Dioxide Stifles the Economy for no Good Reason,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April 17, 2015. Archived August 14, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/s0rNV
“Frontier Centre for Public Policy,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed August, 2015.“Executive,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived August 13, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M7J5s
“Board of Directors,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 18, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gVIxA
“Expert Advisory Panel,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived January 18, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wSmMl
“2010 Annual Report” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived April 1, 2013.Tom Harris. “Getting Society Off the Climate Change Bandwagon” (PDF), Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Policy Series No. 102 (February, 2011). Archived November 5, 2011.
Fred Goldberg. “Climate Change in the Recent Past” (PDF) Background: Brief Analysis, Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April, 2007. Archived March 2, 2011.
“Frontier Research Fellows,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Archived March 4, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6V7j5
Ian Madsen. “HEAT PUMPS MORE COSTLY, LESS EFFICIENT THAN GAS FURNACES,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, August 24, 2023. Archived March 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1kCiq
Ian Madsen. “HEAT PUMPS MORE COSTLY, LESS EFFICIENT THAN GAS FURNACES,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, August 24, 2023. Archived March 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1kCiq
“Retraction and Apology to Michael Mann,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, June 7, 2019. Archived June 14, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/gbLOs
Elizabeth Nickson. “Carbon taxes a war on poor,” The Vancouver Sun, August 14, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zHCJ4
“Cosponsors,” 7th International Conference on Climate Change. Archived May 10, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VAY3r
4th International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), The Heartland Institute. Richard Littlemore. “Pompous Prat Alert! Viscount Monckton on Tour,” DeSmog, October 4, 2009. Richard Littlemore. “A Tardy Canadian Tackles An Inconvenient Truth,” DeSmog, January 30, 2009.(Press Release). “An Intelligent Discussion About Climate Change,” Frontier Centre for Public Policy, April 22, 2008. Archived December 28, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2ac69
Steve Lafluer. “Can the Winnipeg Model Save Detroit?” (PDF), Frontier Center for Public Policy Backgrounder No. 93 (May, 2011). Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.