The Fraser Institute says the size of government has risen in every province over the last two years except in two: Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island. Policy analyst Alex Whalen says, “The size of government has been on the rise all across Canada for years, which will impact the recovery from the current recession.” In 2018, the size of government relative to the economy as a whole ranged from a low of 29.3 per cent in Alberta to a high of 61.6 per cent in Nova Scotia. The Institute says, research has shown the optimal size for government to maximize economic growth is between 26 and 30 per cent of the economy. Over the latest study period comparing 2007 with 2018, Saskatchewan has remained relatively stable at about 37.7 to 37.4 per cent.