The title of Canada's most fiscally responsible premier belongs to Newfoundland's Kathy Dunderdale, but B.C. Premier Christy Clark is near the top of the pack in fourth, according to The Fraser Institute.

The economic think-tank ranked Canada's premiers in a report Thursday.

Premiers who were in power 2011/12 were scored according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit. Overall, Dunderdale came out on top, followed by New Brunswick's David Alward, Saskatchewan's Brad Wall, then Clark with 60.8 per cent.

"The pursuit of sound fiscal policy by our premiers is an important foundation for improving our economic well-being," Charles Lammam, co-author of the report, said in a news release.

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  • 10. Greg Selinger, Manitoba

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 9. Robert Ghiz, Prince Edward Island

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 8. Dalton McGuinty, Ontario

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 7. Jean Charest, Quebec

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 6. Darrell Dexter, Nova Scotia

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 5. Ed Stelmach, Alberta

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 4. Christy Clark, British Columbia

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 3. Brad Wall, Saskatchewan

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 2. David Alward, New Brunswick

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.

  • 1. Kathy Dunderdale, Newfoundland

    The Fraser Institute ranked <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/most-fiscal-premiers-christy-clark-dunderdale_n_2252776.html?1354827846">Canada's premiers on their fiscal performance</a>, according to government spending, taxes, debt and deficit.


In the individual categories, Clark ranked third on government spending with Alward topping that ranking. This score measured program spending against economic growth over the premier's term.

On taxes, Clark also came in third, behind Alward and Alberta's former premier Ed Stelmach. This score was measured using the province's corporate income tax rate and the general change in that rate over the premier's time in office.

B.C.'s premier was fourth on debt and deficit, which was calculated by looking at a premier's use of deficits and whether they increased the province's debt burden. Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia's leaders were in the top spots there.

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