On an index using 76 indicators of personal, civil and economic freedoms, Canada ranks sixth out of 152 countries. Noting an overall decline of freedom around the world, the index is called Discarding Democracy: A Return to the Iron Fist. It was compiled by the Fraser Institute and public-policy think-tanks in Germany and the U.S.
Canada scores well on security and safety, the rule of law and economic freedom. The latter is based on personal choice, trade openness, freedom to compete, security of private property and judicial independence.
‘A disturbing decline in global freedom’
The report notes a “disturbing decline in global freedom in 2014.” It found nearly twice as many countries had declines as did countries with improvements and it says the situation has hit its lowest point since the erosion began nine years ago.
It points to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a rollback of democratic gains in Egypt, Turkey’s “intensified campaign against press freedom and civil society,” and further centralization of authority in China. It says these examples are “evidence of a growing disdain for democratic standards that was found in nearly all regions of the world.”
At the top of the list are Hong Kong, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark and New Zealand. At the very bottom is Iran. The U.S. ranks 20th.
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