The C. D. Howe Institute publishes research that is national in scope and hosts events across Canada on a wide variety of issues in economic and social policy.
Its stated mission is "to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies.
"[4] The C. D. Howe Institute's origins go back to Montreal in 1958, when a group of prominent business and labour leaders organized the Private Planning Association of Canada (PPAC) to research and promote educational activities on issues related to public economic policy.
[19] The C. D. Howe Institute is a registered Canadian charity, and it accepts donations from individuals, private and public organizations, and charitable foundations.
[45][46] In December 2022, the institute published a review of Canada's COVID-19 vaccination campaign in regards to reduction in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.